Piano Parent Podcast: Helping Teachers, Parents, And Students Get The Most Of Their Piano Lessons.

Back in March, I interviewed Ashlee Young (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/324). When the official interview was over, I asked Ashlee if I could ask her one more question. "Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a 'Do Over'?" So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to listeners. The reality is that most of my guests are parents just like you. They are in the trenches with busy schedules, trying to keep up with practice routines, dealing with tired and cranky kids, moody teenagers, and doing the best they can. I hope you enjoy this quick look behind the curtain to hear real stories from Ashlee and me. You can find links and other resources for this episode at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/344.

Back in February, I interviewed Thomas Grayston (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/321). When the official interview was over, I asked Thomas if I could ask him one more question. “Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a ‘Do Over’?” So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to listeners. The reality is that most of my guests are parents just like you. They are in the trenches with busy schedules, trying to keep up with practice routines, dealing with tired and cranky kids, moody teenagers, and doing the best they can. I hope you enjoy this quick look behind the curtain to hear real stories from Thomas and me. You can find links and other resources for this episode at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/343.

Back in October, I interviewed Fernanda Nieto (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/314). When the official interview was over, I asked Fernanda if I could ask her one more question. “Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a ‘Do Over’?” So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to listeners. The reality is that most of my guests are parents just like you. They are in the trenches with busy schedules, trying to keep up with practice routines, dealing with tired and cranky kids, moody teenagers, and doing the best they can. I hope you enjoy this quick look behind the curtain to hear real stories from Fernanda and me. You can find links and other resources for this episode at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/342.

Back in August, I interviewed Stephen Hughes (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/304). When the official interview was over, I asked Stephen if I could ask him one more question. “Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a ‘Do Over’?” So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to listeners. The reality is that most of my guests are parents just like you. They are in the trenches with busy schedules, trying to keep up with practice routines, dealing with tired and cranky kids, moody teenagers, and doing the best they can. I hope you enjoy this quick look behind the curtain to hear real stories from Stephen and me. You can find links and other resources for this episode at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/341.

Every June, our Texas Music Teachers Association hosts a conference. It is one of the highlights of my year because I gain so much from attending. Our state conference brings in top-notch presenters to share new teaching strategies, new music, and other professional development opportunities. There are also many activities for students and their parents. On today's show, I am bringing the conference experience to you with ten takeaways for piano parents. You can learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/340

Back in September, I interviewed Cher Kretz (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/309). When the official interview was over, I asked Cher if I could ask her one more question. "Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a 'Do Over'?" So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to listeners. The reality is that most of my guests are parents just like you. They are in the trenches with busy schedules, trying to keep up with practice routines, dealing with tired and cranky kids, moody teenagers, and doing the best they can. I hope you enjoy this quick look behind the curtain to hear real stories from Cher and me. You can find links and other resources for this episode at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/339.  

Each year at our Texas Music Teachers Conference, we host our version of the well-known TEDtalks. We call them TEXtalks. I was honored to have been invited to be included in this year's presentation, "Amazing Doesn't Have to Be Hard." Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/338.

One of the best ways to help a child learn to play an instrument is to get them singing familiar tunes. When your piano kid is able to sing a song, playing it on an instrument is exponentially more successful. On today's show, we meet with an author who understands this fact very well. Emily Norris has written a new book of piano sheet music to help young children begin learning to sing and play familiar songs on the piano and she is here to tell us all about it. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/337

Hot off the presses.... I just released my first book on Amazon and I'll tell you all about it in today's episode. Sum·mer ˈsəmər/ noun the warmest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from June to August and in the southern hemisphere from December to February. the time of year when many piano students backslide with their hard earned piano skills.   Sur·viv·al sərˈvīvəl/ noun the state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances. how piano parents feel when struggling to prevent the aforementioned backsliding.   Kit kit/ noun a set of articles or equipment needed for a specific purpose. this book:  a source of rescue and ideas to help aforementioned piano parent when struggling to help aforementioned backsliding piano kid. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/335

Keeping in line with last week's episode about summer reading, this week we get to hear from Chrissy Ricker who has developed summer piano review challenge calendars. Listen as Chrissy shares some of the highlights from her summer activity calendars and how they can help keep your piano kid musical engaged this summer. Learn more and find links to all the resources Chrissy mentions at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/334.

Summertime is a great time to take a much-deserved break! It's also a great time to catch up on reading or, at least maintain your reading capabilities. The same tactics that help new readers to read library books will also work for piano kids learning to read new music. Find some helpful tips for reading both kinds of literature on today's show. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/333

Making the jump from accidentals which mark each note that needs to be altered to key signatures placed at the beginning of each staff can be difficult for some students. Learn how you can help your piano kid level up on today's show. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/332

In today's show, Ken Thompson shares valuable insight into piano technique.  "Technique is a tool that serves performance. If you use the tool in performance, you are able to be free musically, to express yourself, and to send a musical message to your audience. In order for that to happen, the tool needs to be reliable." Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/331

Keep this list handy for any time your piano kid participates in a studio recital or piano event. These are wonderful things you can do to make this important day as stress-free and calm for your piano kid as possible. Get your free Checklist download and find other tenth episodes at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/330

I am amazed at the things students collect in their music bags. I've seen everything from books and music that was completed long ago to old theory tests and worksheets to candy wrappers from my prize box. Once I even found a banana that was well past its expiration! So many odd items creep into my own music bag. Exactly why do I have three types of breath mints, two lip balms, and seven hair ties?!? On today's show, let's clean out our music bags together. See the companion video at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/329

Sometimes, no matter how much you want your piano kids to enjoy their lessons and learn to make music, they just don't get it. Sometimes, even if you've done everything right, they still end up quitting. That's the topic of today's show. Learn more at www.pianoparentpodcast.com/328

I started to call this chat "Hobbyist vs Serious Musicians" but realized that's not a fair description. Some would say I'm a hobbyist at podcasting - because I make ZERO money doing it - but I still take it very seriously. That's why I made the change to "Hobbyist vs Career Musicians" - some of our piano kids are doing lessons for a season, without the intention of pursuing music in college or as a profession while others have different long-term plans. Your goals have a big impact on the teacher you select and how that teacher will go about teaching you to play the piano. Please visit www.pianoparentpodcast.com/327 to learn more.

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “Where words fail, music speaks”- a quote by Hans Christian Andersen. Today’s musical mystery will tell you the story of an occasion where words could have gotten you fired so music was the only way to communicate. Hear the full story in today's Musical Mystery Opus 4, No. 2 "Turn out the lights, the party's over!" Visit www.pianoparentpodcast.com/326 for more information about this mystery as well as a link to other Musical Mysteries.

This is a busy time of the year. To avoid schedule conflicts and the urge to do all the things, parents need to be proactive, set priorities and make difficult decisions for their piano kids. Listen to today's show to learn how. Check www.pianoparentpodcast.com/325 for more information.

Ashlee Young is a piano teacher with a passion to help musicians plan more effective and efficient practice sessions. In today's interview, she shares how you can move from reading individual notes to more lengthy phrases in the same way we progress in reading letters, words, and sentences. Visit www.PianoParentPodcast.com/324 for more information.