10 Tips for Teaching Tough Rhythms
What’s the hardest lesson you’ve ever had? Here are some of mine: * Telling a very funny, witty, bright teenage student that her banter was was making it difficult to teach her. * Exercising patience while a 6-year-old who was hiding her anxiety about making mistakes by pretending to be so exhausted she couldn’t stay awake. * Making […]
Continue readingBring Sloppy Students Under Control by Finding the Notes
Note: This is the first post in my Six Favorite Music Teaching Techniques series. You can download my one-page printable cheat sheet of all six techniques here. I’m sure this has happened countless times in your music lessons: You put a piece of challenging new music in front of your student, and, curious to see […]
Continue readingFeeling Unqualified to Teach Music? Join the Crowd. Literally.
Do you ever feel like an imposter teaching music? Maybe you’ve got a student who you just can’t reach, or you’re creating your first Facebook ad and you can’t even find your account. To me, these moments feel like I’m trapped in the cockpit of a space shuttle, and it’s suddenly taking off. “Where’s the […]
Continue readingThe Surprising Secret to a Flourishing Music Teaching Business
Giving my students great experiences on stage is the most important thing I do as a music teacher. Once they tap into the magic of making honestly good music for an appreciative crowd, the crappy aspects of teaching music evaporate. You know the crappy aspects I’m talking about: Sure, they’d like to practice “Norwegian Wood,” but they’re just […]
Continue readingHow to Talk to an Upset Student
A powerful listening skill that helps you get to the heart of the matter.Ella shuffles into my studio, half-size guitar dangling in one hand, and Mattie, her doll, in the other. Just six years old, Ella is one of my youngest students. She’s usually bubbly, and last week she left excited to work on the […]
Continue readingThe Golden Lesson Plan: The formula I use for 95% of my music lessons
Check out my Facebook Live broadcast on this topic. I am so excited to share this with you today–the lesson format I use for almost all my lessons. Make it a habit to structure your lessons in this way, and you will never have to stress about planning again. If you’ve ever launched into a music lesson […]
Continue readingHow to Teach a Kid Guitar and Stay Out of Rehab
Check out my Facebook Live demo of this technique. I guess I’m a masochist. Since 2003, I’ve become famous in Seattle for what would be many people’s worst nightmare: Teaching kids aged 4-7 to play guitar. Perhaps in my retirement I’ll expand my legacy by choreographing goldfish. I never planned on specializing in teaching young kids. I’d […]
Continue reading5 Ways to Get Shy Music Students on Stage
For every student musician who craves the electricity of the stage, there are several who treat the microphone like a cattle prod. Considering how many times I’ve had my lips zapped by a poorly grounded mic, maybe they’re the wise ones. But seriously, most students would be better off if they got past their fear and […]
Continue readingThrill your young students with Musical Football
Check out my Facebook Live demonstration of this game here. I discovered my all-time favorite educational game for kids while flailing. I claim to specialize in teaching kids, but I have never felt like a natural. Still, shoot enough bullets in oil country, and eventually, up from the ground comes-a bubblin’ crude. I struck it rich with […]
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