It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas–and it’s time to gather ideas for teaching piano during Christmas break!
I realize not all piano teachers teach during Christmas break, but if you do, you’re going to need some quick and easy piano teaching ideas to keep students entertained while they’re counting down the days for Christmas.
Because sometimes as piano teachers, we can really identify with “Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again!”
This blog post is packed with ideas to help you have a jolly time in piano lessons this Christmas season.
At a glance, I’ll be sharing tons of ideas to hopefully get you started with having a blast this Christmas season:
5 free Christmas Carols chord charts
Theme ideas for Christmas break piano lessons
Christmas music crafts & activities
Free download: 5 Christmas Carols chord chart for teaching piano during Christmas break
This free Christmas Carols chord chart download provides a great filler for piano lessons during Christmas break.
Especially those lessons where your student has polished up recital pieces and needs something quick, seasonal, and fun to work on.
Included in this free download are five Christmas carols with chords and lyrics:
Away in a Manger chord chart
Deck the Halls chord chart
Joy to the World chord chart
Jingle Bells chord chart
We Wish You a Merry Christmas chord chart
In addition to the lyrics and chords (all in the Key of C), you’ll find a “starting note” so you and your student know what pitch to start singing or playing on.
There are several ways you can use these Christmas Carol chord charts for any level piano student.
Here are a few ideas in video, then I’ll share even more ideas below.
1) Single notes
For your very beginning piano students, they can sing along while they plunk down single notes instead of chords.
If you have preschoolers who aren’t solid with their note names yet, place small sticky notes on the piano keys they should play.
Sing with them and have a jolly time together!
2) Chords
Depending on the level of your student, there are many ways you can play the chords with these Christmas Carol chord charts.
Give the student two notes from the chord to play (either the root and third or the root and fifth)
Have student play full triad in right hand and single note in left hand
Have student play full triad in right hand and octave in left hand
Have student play inversions in right hand and octaves in left hand
Encourage the student to experiment with different patterns (broken chords, different rhythm patterns, etc.)
3) Chords & Melody
For your students who have a good ear and can pick out the melody, have them play the chords in their left hand and pick out the melody in their right hand.
If the student is really confident in their melody and chords, then encourage them to play around with multiple left hand patterns to make an arrangement.
Theme ideas for teaching piano during Christmas break
Even if you have just one week of teaching piano during Christmas break, consider doing a special themed piano lesson week!
If you choose a Christmas theme, there are so many things you can do with it!
Listen to your week’s theme music in various styles (for example, if you pick “Snowmen,” listen to “Frosty the Snowman” in jazz, classical, and choir)
Here are some Christmas themes you can consider:
Wise men
Nativity
Reindeer
Ornaments
Christmas trees
Carols
Snow
Snowmen
Lights
Santa Claus
Stockings
Cookies
Gifts
In addition to fun Christmas themes, you can use this time to review theory concepts by having a “theory theme” each week.
Pick a theory concept and plan all of your week’s activities and review around it–adding a special Christmas touch.
For example, you can
Review chords with Christmas song play-alongs (or our 5 Free Christmas Carols Chord Sheet)
Find intervals in Christmas music
Transpose “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to multiple keys
Draw “triad snowmen” on whiteboards
Discuss which Christmas songs are in major or minor tonalities
Review key signatures by identifying the keys of Christmas carols
Review rhythms by clapping & counting popular Christmas tunes
Identify “high” and “low” sounds with Christmas Carols
Practice major scales with “Joy to the World,” “The First Noel,” and “Away in a Manger”
Discuss and assign dynamics to each Christmas carol (if you want a non-holiday dynamic review, get our free Dynamic Den here–you can even use the dynamic cards to place a lion for each Christmas carol)
Christmas crafts for teaching piano during Christmas break
If your students are extra wiggly and can’t seem to focus on music and learning, use this time to broaden their artistic horizons in other ways.
Set some fun Christmas music in the background (you can decide whether you want it to be pop, carols, choirs, orchestras, or other) and pull out some easy craft projects.
Create a Studio Christmas Tree
Here’s a quick and easy idea from piano teacher Leslie Gehring Raich: create a construction paper Christmas tree on your piano studio wall. Have each piano student decorate an ornament and decide where to put it on the Christmas tree.
Give your students some cookie cutters so they can trace out Christmas shapes and cut our musical Christmas designs.
Once they have their Christmas shapes, there are many ways you can use these little cutouts.
Paste to folded cardstock or construction paper to create music Christmas cards
Punch holes in the top of each Christmas shape and string together several shapes for a musical Christmas garland
Paste to cardstock rectangles to create bookmarks
Cut circles of various sizes and paste on construction paper to create musical snowmen
You can either use these musical Christmas crafts to “deck the halls” of your piano studio (the students will love seeing how the decorations grow each week as everyone adds their touches) or send the crafts home with the students.
Christmas coloring contest
Host a Christmas coloring contest. Either find some “color-by-music” pages or, if you don’t feel like you need a musical theme, find free coloring pages online.
Hang them up in your studio wall and have parents vote on their favorites.
What do you do in teaching piano during Christmas break?
I can’t wait to hear all the fun things you do for Christmas piano lessons!
Do you ever have a season where piano lessons seem to be going well… then suddenly, your piano student is stuck?
For no reason at all, they suddenly come to a screeching halt in learning, music is a struggle for them, and you go weeks without making any progress.
Metaphorical “brick walls” in piano lessons are a weird thing and often unpredictable.
If you’re like me, you want to get your piano student out of their “stuck” zone as soon as possible.
I have some piano teaching ideas for you today especially for when your piano student is stuck.
However, before I give you the ideas, you have to consider an important first step.
Find the root for why your piano student is stuck
Before you can work on solutions to getting a student “unstuck,” you have to figure out the root: why your piano student is stuck.
There are so many possible causes, but here are a few to consider so you can best help when your piano student is stuck.
Possible Root: Lack of piano practice
The most common root I’ve found when my piano student is stuck is a lack of practice.
It’s often this vicious cycle: the student doesn’t practice, then struggles to understand music (or remember concepts), then gets stuck, then decides they hate piano so they don’t practice, and the cycle continues.
If you can help them break free from the cycle they’re stuck in, they will get out of their rut and begin enjoying music again.
Possible Root: Emotional trauma
Sometimes, events are happening at home or school that are completely unrelated to piano, yet they affect the student’s musical concentration and ability.
You cannot legally counsel your student through their trauma, but if you detect there is something under the surface, you can offer an element of stability and extend grace during lessons.
Possible Root: Learning disabilities
We all have students we suspect have ADHD or other learning obstructions, some of which are undiagnosed.
It isn’t our place to diagnose our students’ learning disabilities; however, we can research new teaching methods for students who need a little extra attention and creativity.
Possible Root: Health problems
I can speak from experience here as I struggle with several chronic illnesses that can be debilitating and therefore affect my piano playing.
I knew the importance of communicating how health issues limited my piano playing with my teacher.
By having those discussions, when I was in a health flare (symptoms got worse), my teacher was able to initiate good conversations about music even though I was physically unable to practice or even play in lessons.
Not all students are that open about their health struggles.
Your student might not have chronic health issues, but things like stomach aches, headaches, PMS/menstrual cycles, and seasonal allergies are common health ailments with which most students suffer and it can affect their concentration and ability to be at their best.
Sometimes it just takes a touch of discernment.
Possible Root: Boredom
Sometimes, when a piano student is stuck, they’re really just bored with their music.
It could be boredom from music that is too easy and they need a challenge.
Or, they’re bored because they aren’t interested in the genre of music you’re assigning.
Possible Root: Confusion
If your student doesn’t understand the assignment, the music, or the theory concept, it could bring them to an abrupt halt in learning.
They might not even realize they’re confused or they might be too shy to ask questions.
Possible Root: It’s too hard
Some students genuinely reach the point where the music advances too quickly for them to keep up.
I have found this to be true for many of my Level 1 students.
They soar through the Primer book and then some method books introduce too many new concepts too quickly and they get stuck.
8 ideas for when your piano student is stuck
Once you discover (or suspect) your students’ potential root problems, the next step is to work on a solution.
The main goal is to get a student engaged in lessons again because they feel accomplishment instead of failure.
1) Communicate with piano student or parents
Sometimes, the easiest step is to openly talk to the parent and student in a way that communicates that you want to help the piano student in the best way possible.
For example, you can tell the student, “I’ve noticed you’ve not seemed as excited about piano lately. What do you think about your pieces? Is there a piece you really want to learn? What ideas do you have?”
Or you can say, “Remember last year, you were obsessed with piano! What do you think will help you become obsessed with it again?”
Maybe the student has preferences but is too shy to ask you about them.
Or maybe the student will admit that their new school year is really stressing them out and they can’t handle the music load they used to be able to.
If the student is willing to talk to you, you can work with them to find a good solution to the problem when the piano student is stuck.
You can also ask the parents if they have ideas to engage their child’s interest in piano lessons again.
If you think the root problem is lack of practice, you can ask the parent to help their child practice better.
You definitely want to talk to both student and parent in a non-threatening way.
It is common for piano students to be stuck throughout their musical journey.
Be sure you communicate this if you invite the parent or student to help you find a satisfactory solution.
2) Get out of the lesson book with other repertoire
Sometimes, the piano student is stuck because of their lesson book.
Maybe it moved too quickly for them.
Maybe it moved too slowly for them.
Or maybe the student just doesn’t find the tunes to be catchy enough.
There are many books with fun music out there.
I’ve got a list to get you started, but this is by no means an exhaustive list and I might not have mentioned your favorite (if so, feel free to make even more suggestions in the comments!).
3) Get out of the lesson book with piano improvisation
If the student is burnt out with note-reading, do some improvisation.
This works for all levels of musicians.
Very beginning piano students can do black note improvisation.
More advanced students can use chords (including jazz chords).
Part of teaching piano is to help the student feel a thrill of creativity with music.
There is no greater way to attain this than to teach improvisation.
And just maybe, it will be the thing to get the piano student out of their rut.
4) Have general music conversations
It’s easy to think that teaching piano means actively helping the student learn music all the time.
However, you can give your student a well-rounded musical education by having conversations that are not piano-exclusive.
You can dig up YouTube videos with famous orchestral pieces.
You can talk about the different historical elements of composers.
Chart a popular song.
There are endless options to get your student interested in various aspects of music.
5) Assign multiple pieces with similar concepts
If your piano student is stuck because of difficulty understanding new concepts, find several pieces that review similar concepts.
Additionally, you can assign these pieces with the intention of the student understanding the basic elements, but not mastering the piece before they move to a new piece.
This helps the student gain confidence and also gives them a morale boost because they are not staying on the same piece for months.
6) Assign shorter pieces
Maybe your piano student is stuck because they are overwhelmed. If such is the case, then assign shorter pieces that they can master in a shorter amount of time.
An alternative to this is to print sheet music (legally) and cut it into sections and only send a small section home at a time for a student to learn.
7) Try sightreading challenges
No one likes to feel stuck; so if your student is struggling to master new pieces, consider having a sightreading challenge.
It doesn’t matter what they read (you can even lend them books well under their level).
It just matters that they’re on the piano reviewing something.
8) Play games to give the student a break & refresh them emotionally
And yes, we have to bring music games into the picture!
There are no limits to the music games you can play in your piano studio.
If a piano student is having an emotionally difficult time, can’t practice, or doesn’t understand a new concept, playing games instead of doing normal lesson activities might be a good solution.
Depending on the student’s emotional state, you might want to choose a music game that is easy for them to master.
Pick a game that covers concepts they probably know well and have an award at the end.
If the student is just not practicing, you can pick a game that will teach and challenge them a little.
Use lesson time for your non-practicer to teach new theory concepts that will benefit them in the long run.
Keep the ideas coming for when your piano student is stuck!
Can you think of other possible root causes for when your piano student is stuck?
What about solutions?
Please join the conversation so we can all learn and grow as piano teachers.
We’ve all been in that rut… where teaching piano is monotonous and students are bored. Sometimes, we just need to intentionally do something different in piano lessons for our sanity and the students’ interest.
The thing with “doing something different” is that the same ideas don’t work for all piano teachers and students.
Each piano studio culture is unique, and the award-winning idea for one piano teacher might be a complete failure for another piano teacher.
So today I won’t give you a list of ideas.
Instead, I’ll provide you with some steps so you can ignite your own, unique ideas to do something different in piano lessons and be a better piano teacher.
Get a pen and paper handy, because I’m about to give you some homework!
Step 1: Run a self-analysis to figure out where you need to do something different in piano lessons
The first step to do something different in piano lessons is to evaluate your piano teaching.
Are you sublimely happy with your piano teaching?
Are your students utterly happy with piano lessons? (yes, I know there are always the piano students who hate lessons because their parents make them do it; you can even consider them and their complaints)
Are your piano teaching goals being met?
Do you have good teacher-student rapport?
Take a moment to do an honest–but gentle–evaluation of where things stand.
This isn’t the place to be overly critical (no, you are not a terrible piano teacher just because an eight-year-old refused to play for you today).
Just take a step back and assess the situation.
What are your pain points?
What problems do you need solutions to?
Is there a ready answer to your problems? Any leads?
Pause and write down anything that comes to your mind at this point.
Your goal isn’t to find an answer right now. It’s just to think about your piano teaching as a whole.
Step 2: Brainstorm ways to do something different in piano lessons
This summer, I listened to a lot of training by Amy Porterfield, and one thing she especially challenged her listeners with was, “DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.”
She meant it in the business sense, but the idea really resonated with me as a fantastic step to brainstorming piano teaching ideas.
Sometimes we routinely teach the same type of piano lesson and we don’t even realize it until five years have passed.
Maybe all we need to do something different in piano lessons is actually ask the question “what is something different?”
Take the list of questions you answered above and add one question: “What are you currently doing?”
Then counter that with a consideration: “What is the opposite of that?”
If you’re ultra structured, try less structure.
If you have no structure, try some structure.
Maybe you have taught the same way for one year–or thirty years. Maybe you’re content with where you are.
But what would happen if you accepted the challenge to do something different in piano lessons?
Doing something different can be something very simple. For one of my students this fall, I’m intentionally assigning four categories of music each lesson (Hymn improv, classical, Christmas/fun, lesson book/warm-ups).
For another student, we ditched the piano lesson book and I’m composing with her. It still teaches her note reading and rhythm, and she was showing signs of being burnt out with the lesson book.
Doing something different in piano lessons can also be more drastic.
Maybe it’s shifting to group piano lessons, adding more music games to lessons, doing more off-bench activities, or hiring an assistant teacher.
If you or your student is getting bored with piano lessons, ask yourself, “How can I do something different in piano lessons?”
You might stumble on the winning piano teaching idea of the year (and if you do, be sure to come back here and tell us–we want to celebrate with you!).
Right now, jot down five ways you could do something different in piano lessons. Bonus points if you’re brave enough to share it with us in the comments below!
Step 3: Implement the change to do something different piano lessons
Finally, doing a self-assessment of your piano teaching problems and brainstorming solutions have to be finalized with the third step.
Take action.
This is where you actually do something different in piano lessons.
This might be the most intimidating step, depending on the changes you need to make.
Music is all about experience and teaching piano is no different.
Enjoy the experience of trying new angles of teaching piano.
But if you’re feeling stuck, here are some bonus ideas:
Get an accountability partner
Find a piano teaching buddy that you can bounce ideas off of as well as report back to when you try new ideas.
It’s super important to not feel alone as a teacher, so if you don’t have anyone to join that path with you, send us an email (under “contact us”) and we’ll be more than happy to help you do something different in piano lessons!
Take it slow
My advice is to not try to change everything at once. Choose just one idea this week and test it out.
If it goes well, keep doing it.
If it’s a bust, then move to the next idea on your list.
No one’s judging you for the experimental process.
Involve your students in doing something different
Guess what–your students have opinions! (you might be laughing because some of your students may have very loud opinions you hear weekly)
Ask your students what their thoughts are.
When I implemented the two changes I mentioned above, I asked each student what they thought of the plan. They both agreed to try it, so that was my green light.
Don’t wait to do something different
I have a sister who is adamant about starting anything new on the first of a month. This means that if she gets an idea on the fifth of a month, she waits 25 days to begin!
I’m pretty sure some of you reading this are like that. Sure, we’re already well into the fall teaching season. That’s okay.
If a student needs a change in piano lessons, do it now. Don’t wait until next semester. Start now.
Rinse & repeat
If this gets you rejuvenated in teaching piano, congratulations! I’m thrilled for you!
Let’s keep that excitement going by repeating this exercise every month or semester–as often as needed to do something different in piano lessons.
How I Personally Did Something Different
When I did this evaluation a few years ago, I realized that my solution to do something different in piano lessons was investing in more personal music training.
I was an advanced pianist and could play almost anything I put my mind to, but I could feel something missing since I hadn’t had lessons in almost a decade.
So I became a student again and started college at 27 years old.
Talking of it now makes it seem like it was super easy to figure out the connection between my problem and solution. In actuality, it was several months of serious self-evaluation and prayer for God’s direction before I realized my answer.
If you are reading this today and feel lost about the answers to your specific piano teaching problems, that’s okay.
Write down all your questions, your problems, and any hint of a solution and keep coming back to it every week.
Eventually you’ll get the answers you need and know the next steps to take to do something different in piano lessons.
Most piano teachers won’t need to take as drastic of a step as I did in order to do something different in piano lessons.
Our piano teaching journeys are unique and the solutions you’ll find will fit you and your journey.
How will you do something different in piano lessons?
Maybe your mind is already brimming with new piano teaching ideas. I’d love to hear!
What ideas do you have to do something different in piano lessons?
How often do you teach your piano students to practice effectively?
Is one of your top piano teaching complaints about your student’s practice (or lack of practice)?
Maybe you’ve lost count of how many times you’ve told a student to practice piano.
Maybe you’ve tried dozens of piano practice challenges and incentives.
I get it. I’ve been there too.
But maybe the secret isn’t telling piano student to practice.
Maybe the secret is in teaching our piano students to practice.
Piano practice doesn’t come naturally to most students.
When I was a kid, I only wanted to play my piano pieces straight through and call it done for the day… only to stumble through playing them the next day–usually making the same mistakes.
If you didn’t have to learn how to practice piano, you might be an anomaly (maybe we could all learn a lesson from you!).
Because knowing how to productively practice piano doesn’t come naturally, it falls on us piano teachers to include teaching how to efficiently practice piano to our piano students.
Just like we don’t expect our piano students to inherently know how to correctly play a scale or accurately keep rhythm, we shouldn’t expect our students to automatically know how to best practice piano.
There are many piano practice methods one can apply and teach their students.
In this blog post, I will cover a few of my favorite piano practice methods and how you can teach piano students to practice.
Practice with your piano student during lesson time
The first step to teach piano students to practice is to practice with them.
Piano students often learn best by doing instead of listening to a lecture.
Instead of drilling information into your piano student, help them practice through a new piece of music.
Take it a step further and discuss the practice methods you’re experimenting with in a new piece.
For years, as I introduced new pieces to my students, I practiced with them to help them learn it (working on rhythm alone, practicing small segments, etc.).
One day, I realized that my students weren’t taking this practice home and applying it. To them, this type of practice was “lesson time” and at home, they played through the piece from measure 1 to double bar line.
So, I started openly communicating what I was doing and why I was doing it.
I also started regularly adding, “Practice it this way at home.”
Reminding the student that these practice methods aren’t for lesson-time only helps instill good practice tips in their minds.
Initiate student-led piano practice
After a few piano lessons where I teach a piano student to practice via practicing together, I’ll step back and ask them to “assign themselves” practice steps with guided questions.
Some questions I often ask include:
What part did you struggle most with?
Where can we segment this piece to practice in smaller sections?
What is one way you can practice this section?
Can you think of two more ways to try practicing this?
What really worked with practicing your last piece?
As the student is learning how to practice, they might not always have the best answers.
If the student’s answer isn’t a good piano practice method, lead the discussion to help them brainstorm a better practice method. It’s all a part of the process to help them learn how to practice.
Experiment teaching best piano practice methods with the student
Not all students benefit from the same practice method.
I personally know the best ways for me to practice when I sit down at the piano.
I also know what practice methods frustrate me rather than help me (for instance, memorizing music as I learn it isn’t a good practice method for me).
Every piano student needs to learn their best practice methods. Communicate with your students so together you can figure out the best methods.
If your student can’t get past “I just hate practicing,” shake things up.
Remember when you teach piano students how to practice that it isn’t about boring drills but about experimenting with various styles and methods.
Piano practice methods you can assign students
In addition to teaching my students how to practice piano in lessons, I often write out detailed practice steps while they’re learning a new practice method.
As a student grasps a new practice method, I can write less-detailed practice instructions.
Here are some piano practice methods I write down for my students.
1) Piano Practice Method for Learning a New Piece
For my youngest beginners, I often write specific assignments as they learn a new piece.
These assignments usually include 3-4 of the following ideas:
Clap & count rhythm (can also include dancing)
Tap correct fingers on the piano lid
Name notes before you play
Name notes while you play
Count while you play
Sing while you play
Right hand alone – name notes and play
Right hand alone – count and play
Left hand alone – name notes and play
Left hand alone – count and play
Play with backing track
Breaking up an assignment into smaller pieces not only helps my students feel like practice is attainable, it also assists them in learning how to learn new music.
2) Teach Piano Students to Practice Segments
This practice method works best for the students who struggle to pull together the entire piece and pause drastically between measures.
It’s also my go-to method for portions of music that just needs some good, old-fashioned grinding.
Day 1: Practice measures 1-2, 5x (times)
Day 1: Practice measures 3-4, 5x
Day 1: Practice measures 1-4, 5x
Day 2: Review measures 1-4, 3x
Day 2: Practice measures 5-6, 5x
Day 2: Practice measures 7-8, 5x
Day 2: Practice measures 5-8, 5x
And so on…
This practice method can be adapted for more advanced students by giving them larger chunks at a time (e.g. “Practice measures 22-27”).
3) “Line Game” Piano Practice
This concept helps piano students with note accuracy.
The “rule” is simple: miss a note, start the line over again.
You can add a reward system to this as well and have a bowl of M&Ms or Hershey’s Kisses (with the parents’ consent, of course) or stickers. If a student passes a line (or stave) without having to restart, they earn one candy or sticker.
I use this method for my careless piano students who like to rely on their ear instead of on their reading.
It helps students slow down and think about the notes they are playing rather than making them up as they go.
I will often introduce this to the piano student by doing it together during lessons and then when I assign it, they know what I mean.
Often, students are very proud to return to lessons and tell me how many times they mastered the “line game” during practice.
4) Slow-Medium-Fast-Medium-Slow Piano Practice
(also called “Rule of 5”)
This is a method I didn’t learn until college, but it has helped both me and my students immensely.
Choose a small section of music (usually 4-8 measures) then assign the following:
Slow: Practice section 1x VERY slowly
I often tell my students to make it “unbearably slow”
Medium: Practice section 1x at a comfortable tempo
This can be the “normal” tempo at which they play it
Fast: Practice section 1x at a crazy fast tempo
Even if they mess up, it’s okay; the goal is to just make it through
Medium: Practice section 1x back down at a comfortable tempo
Slow: Practice section 1x VERY slowly
To make this easier for younger students, I’ll sometimes assign a concept for each speed (e.g. “Go s-l-o-w like a snail…” or “You’re in a race!”). Often, we work together for imagery the student will grasp.
You can also use this method with metronome practice and set specific tempos for slow, medium, and fast.
5) Practicing runs & arpeggios for advanced pianists
For my advanced piano students struggling with runs and arpeggios, there are three main practice methods I recommend.
a) “Whack the timing”
Removing straight rhythm and practicing with various rhythms helps our minds and fingers grasp the notes faster and more efficiently.
Triplets
3 notes at a time, pause, 3 notes at a time, pause
Long-short
Dotted rhythms (e.g. dotted quarter and eighth or dotted 16th and 32nd)
Short-long
Opposite dotted rhythms (e.g. eighth and dotted quarter or 32nd and dotted 16th)
I often challenge my students to think of 5 different rhythm patterns they can practice on a run/arpeggio.
b) “Cluster” method
Another practice method is the “cluster” method, where the student plays all the notes in one position in a cluster then moves to the next cluster.
This helps the student learn the exact notes and finger numbers required to master the run.
For example, here is a run from Mozart’s Fantasia I (D Minor).
Each section can be broken down and practiced in a cluster:
This practice method forces the student to slow down as they practice piano and more effectively learn the notes and finger numbers.
c) Vary the style
There are many other methods where the student can successfully practice by playing the music differently than written.
Use both hands to play the arpeggio
Practice the arpeggio with opposite hand
Practice in staccato
Practice with a legato-staccato mix
Practice fortissimo
Practice pianissimo
Practice slow-medium-fast-medium-slow
The ultimate goal of all of these methods is that it requires the student to focus on individual notes, which expedites practice time.
Basic piano practice rules
While there are many ways to teach piano students to practice effectively, here are some general rules to help your piano student understand about practice:
Mindlessly playing piano is not practice
Playing through an entire piece isn’t practicing
Practicing small sections of music is more productive than larger sections of music
The same practice methods don’t work for all piano students
Piano practice is all about fun experimentation
I hope these ideas help you and your students get out of a practicing rut and give you something to experiment with.
How do you teach piano students to practice?
I’d love to hear if you already use some of these ideas–or maybe you have your own practice tricks with which your students thrive!
Please comment and share so other piano teachers can benefit from your practice methods.
