17Nov 2025 by Shelly Davis
PPP370: Ten Finger Activities for Young Pianists

PPP370: Ten Finger Activities for Young Pianists

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Welcome, Piano Parents!In today’s special “ends‑in‑zero” episode (every 10th episode I bring you a list of ten), we focus on 10 finger activities for young/preschool beginning pianists — fun, off‑piano activities that build fine motor skills, which help enormously when children return to the piano bench.Last week, we shifted to older students and parents; today, we swing the pendulum the other way and offer practical, screen‑free, hands‑on ideas for the younger ones. These activities foster finger independence, coordination, strength, and the readiness for playing the piano with control. Listen to the full episode here Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/RRE9FSznt-Q Episode Highlights The 10 ActivitiesHere’s a quick list of the ten finger/fine motor activities and how they connect to piano‑playing skills:Peeling & placing stickersSkill: pincer grasp, finger tip precision, eye–hand coordination.Piano tie‑in:…
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19Aug 2024 by Shelly Davis
PPP360: Ten Ways to Handle Teacher Absence

PPP360: Ten Ways to Handle Teacher Absence

Communication, Podcast, Tenth Episode List
On the podcast, we've talked about what to do when you have to miss a lesson but we've never talked about how to respond when your teacher needs to take an extended absence.Using my family's circumstance from this past year, here are ten ways my students responded when I had to take a two-week break during the semester. Listen to the full episode here Social Sharables Click an image to share directly to your pinterest account. Download an image to share in your social circles. If the image isn't branded, please link back to this page and help us spread the word about all the great resources at Piano Parent Podcast. Thank you! Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts:Leave a note in the comment section belowAsk a question at pianoparentpodcast@gmail.comShare…
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11Sep 2023 by Shelly Davis
PPP 350: 10 Ways to Scare Your Piano Teacher

PPP 350: 10 Ways to Scare Your Piano Teacher

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
'Tis the season for all things orange, yellow, brown, and a little scary. Today's list offers ten things that are likely to scare your piano teacher. Some are silly and some are serious, but all are things you might encounter with your piano kid. Listen to the full episode here Social Sharables Click an image to share directly to your pinterest account. Download an image to share in your social circles. If the image isn't branded, please link back to this page and help us spread the word about all the great resources at Piano Parent Podcast. Thank you! Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts:Leave a note in the comment section belowAsk a question at pianoparentpodcast@gmail.comShare this show on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and PinterestTo help out the show:Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast…
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03Jul 2023 by Shelly Davis
PPP 340: Ten Takeaways for Piano Parents from My Recent TMTA Conference Experience

PPP 340: Ten Takeaways for Piano Parents from My Recent TMTA Conference Experience

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Every June, our Texas Music Teachers Association hosts a conference for teachers, students, and parents. It is one of my favorite weeks of the year!I thought I would use this tenth episode to bring you along with me to the conference and share a few parent takeaways.Click here for more tenth episode lists. Listen to the full episode here Free Ear Training ResourceCameron Dennis (from PPP 208 and PPP 275) shared his free online ear training site.You can check it out at www.LionTheory.com.National Endowment for the ArtsDr. Jane Chu presented our opening key note address. She was the chair of the NEA from 2014-2018. Her key note was a great reflection on the accessibility of the arts these days compared to the pre-internet days.How are you being intentional about offering…
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24Apr 2023 by Shelly Davis
PPP 330: Ten Things for the Day of the Recital

PPP 330: Ten Things for the Day of the Recital

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
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 (and your whole family) as possible. Listen to the full episode here Download your free Recital Checklist! Send me the Recital Checklist!Subscribe to get the checklist plus our latest content by email.SubmitWe respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.Built with ConvertKit Social Shareables Click an image to share directly to your Pinterest account. Download an image to share in your social circles. If the image is not branded, please link back to this page and help us spread the word about all the great resources at Piano Parent Podcast. Thank you! Thanks…
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13Feb 2023 by Shelly Davis
PPP 320: Ten Things Piano Parents Love About Piano Lessons

PPP 320: Ten Things Piano Parents Love About Piano Lessons

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Every episode that ends with a 0 includes a list of ten somethings.Since tomorrow is Valentine's Day, this list gives you 10 things piano parents love about piano lessons.Listen to other tenth-episode lists here.What else would you add to the list? Listen to the full episode here Foster a love of music Learning to play the piano fosters a love of music that they can have the rest of their lives because they were exposed to how it was put together and understand it. Cognitive growth Playing the piano and reading music aids in cognitive growth.Spatial reasoningAbstract conceptsHand-eye coordinationHand-hand coordination A gateway to other instruments One mom responded this way, "Learning piano is a gateway to other instruments. It helps them understand rhythm, and piano is the basis for all…
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26Sep 2022 by Shelly Davis
PPP 310: Ten Things I Learned Through Acquiring My New-to-me Piano

PPP 310: Ten Things I Learned Through Acquiring My New-to-me Piano

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
My studio was recently gifted with a Baldwin Hamilton baby grand piano and I am thrilled! Going through this new experience taught me a few things that I think you might enjoy learning as well. Listen to the full episode here Hire a piano technicianLike you would ask a trusted auto mechanic to evaluate a used car before you buy it, it is a good idea to hire a trusted piano technician to inspect the piano before you make such a large purchase.They can 'check under the hood' and let you know about possible issues the piano might have. This information will help you make an informed choice.Make sure you have plenty of spaceMy baby grand piano is 5'4" long and about 5' wide. Five foot by five foot square…
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18Jul 2022 by Shelly Davis
PPP 300: Ten Episodes for New Listeners

PPP 300: Ten Episodes for New Listeners

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Happy Anniversary!! The podcast is celebrating its sixth year and the milestone of 300 episodes!If you are a new listener, this episode is the perfect place to start. On today's show, I am highlighting ten of the different types of episodes you can expect to hear. Listen to the full episode here Every episode that ends in the number ZERO is a list of ten somethings.You can search the full archive and listen to any previous episode any time you want.Click this link to find other lists of ten.One of the most popular lists of ten somethings is PPP 110: Ten Ways to Genuinely Compliment Your Piano Kid. Most episodes that end with the number one are teacher interviews. A great one to start with in this category is PPP…
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09May 2022 by Shelly Davis
PPP 290: Ten Teacher Gift Ideas for Summer (or graduation)

PPP 290: Ten Teacher Gift Ideas for Summer (or graduation)

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
With the end of another school year just around the corner, you may be thinking of a way to let your teacher know how much you appreciate the knowledge and relationship they share with your piano kid.On today's show, you will hear what kinds of gifts piano teachers enjoy receiving. Listen to the full episode here Since I am only one person with my own specific opinion, I decided to ask my piano teacher friends what kinds of gifts they enjoy receiving.Most of the items fell into two basic categories: personal gifts and gifts for the studio. Enjoy! Personal Items Hand CreamGift cards to restaurants, groceries, gas, AmazonJewelry or perfume (here is an atomizer one teacher shared)Handwritten cards and notesHome-grown flowers/homemade baked goods. Items for the Studio Post-it notesMusic-themed mugs, shirts,…
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28Feb 2022 by Shelly Davis
PPP280: Ten Subtle Musical Milestones

PPP280: Ten Subtle Musical Milestones

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Sometimes it's hard to notice the tiny improvements your piano kid is making in their piano studies. Playing harder music isn't the only sign that they are growing as a musician. On today's show, I will share ten subtle changes that are easy to miss but are definite signs they are making good progress on their musical journey. Listen to the full episode here Finger Independence So many things we do with our hands involve our whole hand: throwing a ball, using a fork and spoon, etc. Playing the piano requires the ability to use individual fingers or specific groups of fingers together. How is your piano kid doing with independent fingers? Playing Hands Together Not only is it a challenge to play with two hands at the same time,…
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06Dec 2021 by Shelly Davis
PPP270: Ten Wintery Pieces

PPP270: Ten Wintery Pieces

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Every tenth episode of the podcast, I offer you a list of ten somethings. On today's show, I present to you a list of Ten Wintery Pieces. Maybe your piano kid doesn't enjoy playing holiday music. Maybe your piano kid has been playing Christmas since October and your whole house is ready to hear something different. This list of ten pieces and songs has something for everyone at every skill level. Listen to the full episode here 1. "I Hate to Wear a Coat" by Wendy Stevens late elementary 2. "Winter Winds" - Chriss Ricker early intermediate Chrissy joined me on the show in episode PPP264. 3. "Icy Winds" by Christopher Oill - elementary Chris was my podcast guest in episode PPP265. 4. Snowfall - Dawn Ivers a collection of…
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27Sep 2021 by Shelly Davis
PPP260: Ten Sound Effects You Can Create on the Piano

PPP260: Ten Sound Effects You Can Create on the Piano

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Making music at the piano is just plain FUN!! In today's show, you will learn ten cool sound effects you can use to create interesting music on your piano. Listen to the full episode here 10 Sound Effects you can create on your piano In this week's show, you will learn ten different sound effects you can create on your piano. Give it a listen and have fun making your own music!Running upstairs - all half steps (chromatic)Two notes - JAWS!!!Spinning - chromatic up and down C to E or F to B"And many more!"Basic Boogie PatternBasic Boogie Pattern with 12 bar blues chord progression"Shave and a Haircut - Two Bits!"Dream sequence - whole tone scaleArpeggio endings (three ways)Silent Movie Gasp Conclusion, call to action, resources To hear more Piano…
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19Jul 2021 by Shelly Davis
PPP250: Ten Standard Teaching Pieces for the Early Years

PPP250: Ten Standard Teaching Pieces for the Early Years

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
When students begin their piano journey, they often aspire to learn iconic piano pieces. Parents mention melodies like Fur Elise or Moonlight Sonata or The Entertainer to their teachers. I don't think parents intend to ask too much of their children or their teacher. I believe they are simply trying to connect with this new venture for their child and these are the pieces that pop into their head. Unfortunately, those iconic pieces are far too advanced for beginning students. Listen to the full episode here It would be like me meeting an astronaut and saying, "Hey, been to the International Space Station lately?" That's one of the few things I know about the American space program. There are plenty of other jobs and responsibilities and accomplishments NASA employees achieve…
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10May 2021 by Shelly Davis
PPP240: 10 Reasons for Summer Piano Lessons

PPP240: 10 Reasons for Summer Piano Lessons

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
You might be tempted to stop piano lessons for summer break but I don't think piano and summer have to be mutually exclusive. On today's show, I'm suggesting 10 reasons why summer piano lessons are a great idea. Listen to the full episode here 1. Use it or lose it that's not just referring to piano skills. if you don't keep using your brain for cognitive processes, your response time will slow down. summer piano lessons are a great way to keep your piano skills and your brain connections fired up. 2. Change of pace a change of pace brings new opportunities - playing duets with studiomates, music camp, playing tunes by ear, focusing on a different genre of music. 3. No school homework no homework gives your more time…
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01Mar 2021 by Shelly Davis
PPP230: Ten Things I Bet You Didn’t Know About Your Piano

PPP230: Ten Things I Bet You Didn’t Know About Your Piano

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
The month of March hosts a very special day for piano players. March 29, 2021, is the 88th day of the year!Last week's episode gave all the fun details of how we are going to celebrate leading up to this special day. If you haven't listened to PPP229 yet, be sure to catch it when you're done with this episode. We've got a fun practice incentive that will last the whole month of March: We're playing BINGO!!If you haven't already seen it on my Instagram feed, you can find all the details at www.pianoparentpodcast.com/march (Fun fact: Listening to TODAY's episode is one of the squares on the card! After you listen here, go download your free BINGO card. You're already ahead of the game!)Today, we're playing another little game called,…
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07Dec 2020 by Shelly Davis
PPP220: Ten Things – CHRISTMAS! Edition

PPP220: Ten Things – CHRISTMAS! Edition

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Several years ago I established a tradition for our family. Every Christmas Eve, after we've had our evening meal and we're still gathered around the dining table (a rarity for us to all be at the same table!) we pull out a journal and write the word C H R I S T M A S down the left side. As a family we review the previous year and list highlights that fit the letters. That little journal has become a documented history of our kids as they've grown up and has marked some memorable occasions for our family. I thought I would follow the same format to compile our list of ten things for this episode. Today I am sharing ten podcast highlights from 2020. Listen to the full…
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21Sep 2020 by Shelly Davis
PPP210: Ten Things You Should Know About Copyright

PPP210: Ten Things You Should Know About Copyright

Podcast, Technology, Tenth Episode List
I am not an attorney. Any comments made on the podcast or in the following show notes are my attempt to offer you guidelines for the proper use and purchase of someone else's copyrighted material.It is my utmost desire that we respect and value those people who have the skills and knowledge to produce printed music for our piano kids from which to learn, play, and enjoy. Listen to the full episode here 5 Things you CAN do with copyrighted music 1. Make a copy of a page to eliminate page turns.2. Make a full copy of the entire song that you own to place in a binder (ie for church or weddings). You are also allowed to make copies as a personal backup.3. Upload the score to a tablet…
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06Jul 2020 by Shelly Davis
PPP200: Ten Common Reasons Students Quit Piano Lessons

PPP200: Ten Common Reasons Students Quit Piano Lessons

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
I can't tell you how many times adults learn that I teach piano and tell me their sad story of their own lessons as a child. Without fail, they tell me they wish they hadn't quit. This is our opportunity to help our own children reach a different conclusion with their piano studies. Let's talk about why children often quit piano and how we can help them persevere. Listen to the full episode here 10. Middle School When students grow up and gain a little more independence and get involved in extra-curricular activities, piano often gets pushed to the wayside.  Adding band or sports in middle school doesn't have to mean the end of piano lessons. In fact, all the training your piano kid has had in piano will help them…
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27Apr 2020 by Shelly Davis
PPP190: Ten Things You Need to Know about Beethoven’s Für Elise

PPP190: Ten Things You Need to Know about Beethoven’s Für Elise

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Today is April 27, 2020. Listen to this week's episode to learn why this is the perfect date to learn ten things you should know about Beethoven's Für Elise. Listen to the full episode here 1. Inscribed with a specific date. Dated April 27, 1810 - 210 years ago 2. Please wait before you try to learn to play it. Not a first year piece - Let's just get that out of the way. Parents recognize the first part of this piece and request that their kids learn it. 3. Who was Elise? The mystery of Elise - friend or sweetheart or student of a sweetheart? Elisabeth Rockel - who played Florestan in the 1806 revival of Beethoven's opera Fidelio. She was called "Elise"by a parish priest and had been a…
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17Feb 2020 by Shelly Davis
PPP180: Ten Ways to Flip the Script with Kate Webb

PPP180: Ten Ways to Flip the Script with Kate Webb

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Welcome Kate Webb from Kate's Keys Piano Studio! I've been following Kate on Instagram for a while and her posts are always beautifully designed and inspirational for piano students as well as their parents.Lately, Kate has been sharing some posts that have a way of flipping the script on home practice and motivation at the piano so I invited her to share some of her tips with us today. Listen to the full episode here Listen to previous tenth episodes here. 10 Ways to Flip the Script Instead of thinking, "I made so many mistakes", think, "I'm still learning".Instead of thinking, "Are they ahead of me?", try thinking, "What can I celebrate?"Instead of thinking, "This is too much to practice!", try "Let's just see what I can do in 15 minutes.""Practicing…
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25Nov 2019 by Shelly Davis
PPP170: TLC for Your Piano in Winter

PPP170: TLC for Your Piano in Winter

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Winter is just around the corner. With colder temperatures comes less humidity and more concentrated germs. Today's list offers ten tips for caring for yourself as well as your piano this time of year. Listen to the full episode here Listen to more tenth episode lists here. Ten Tips for caring for yourself and your piano during the winter season Keep your hands clean - THE number one way to prevent the spread of germs is to wash your hands, often.Keep the tissues handy - clean piano keys after each use, especially if your piano is shared by multiple players. Use Norwex or Microfiber cloth. (Listen to PPP059 for more information from my piano tuner.)Turn on the humidifier - good for your nasal passages and skin, good for the wood…
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16Sep 2019 by Shelly Davis
PPP160: Ten Reasons We Love and Need Our Dads

PPP160: Ten Reasons We Love and Need Our Dads

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
It isn't Father's Day in America (though September 1 was Father's Day in Australia, so happy belated Father's Day to all my Australian friends!) but I don't want to wait until next June to talk about how valuable dads are to piano kids. Plus, my father's birthday is September 20 so my mind is geared this direction at the moment. I've told you before that I remember starting piano lessons because my dad convinced me that he'd love for me to learn to play a certain song for him. After that, my mother was the main one taking me to lessons each week and making sure I practiced. My mom was the coach and my dad was the cheerleader. Is that the way it is in your home? Are moms the…
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08Jul 2019 by Shelly Davis
PPP150: Ten Screenless Summer Activities

PPP150: Ten Screenless Summer Activities

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
The last three Piano Parent episodes have focused on the value of limiting screen time and increasing physical activity. If you haven't listened to them already, be sure to catch them after you finish this episode. They will inform the thought process behind the list of ten we have for you this week. PPP147: Teacher Chat - Screen Time PPP148: Developmental Fitness with Vicki Conway, part 1 PPP149: Developmental Fitness with Vicki Conway, part 2 Click here to find previous tenth episode lists. Listen to the full episode here 1. Picnic in the park or your own backyard Maybe you pack a lunch together at home or go through the drive-through. Sit at a picnic table or put a blanket on the grass. Going on a picnic can help develop…
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29Apr 2019 by Shelly Davis
PPP140: Ten Things You Need to Know about Performance Butterflies

PPP140: Ten Things You Need to Know about Performance Butterflies

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Every ten episodes, I present to you some sort of list. This is our 14th tenth episode. If you’d like to listen to other lists click here. Today I am aiming my comments toward the piano kids so I really encourage parents to listen to this one with them. If you are a teacher listening, consider making this required homework for all your students preparing for upcoming recitals. Share this episode with a friend. Stick around until the end where I will tell you about a free practice tracker you can use to help your piano kids get lots of repetitions on their recital pieces. Listen to the full episode here 1. Why Butterflies? Adrenaline is one way your body works to protect you in a dangerous situation. Part of that…
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18Feb 2019 by Shelly Davis
PPP130: Ten Songs that are Perfect for a YouTube Play Along

PPP130: Ten Songs that are Perfect for a YouTube Play Along

Podcast, Technology, Tenth Episode List
The last few shows have mentioned playing chords or pop songs or getting creative at the piano in some way. Talking about it is great and your piano kid might really be interested in playing some pop tunes but getting started can feel a little overwhelming. That’s why I put together this list of 10 songs that are perfect to play along with a YouTube video and I have the videos embedded on the show notes for this episode. I chose these songs because most of them use only a few chords (most of them five chords or less) and those chords occur in a repeating pattern throughout the entire song or through a large portion of the song. The basic formula for playing each chord is to have the…
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26Nov 2018 by Shelly Davis
PPP120: Ten Ways to Share Music During the Holidays

PPP120: Ten Ways to Share Music During the Holidays

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
THIS is the reason you signed your child up for piano lessons! Now is their opportunity to share their gift of music with others to bring them joy. Here are a few ideas for how you can share music during the holidays. 1. Play for a school event. At different times, my students have been able to play for talent shows, choir concerts, and prelude music before awards programs. 2. Play for a church event. Prelude music before a worship service. Offertory or piano solo during the service. Postlude music as people are exiting the church. Play for youth Sunday School class or Bible study. Train them to become future musicians for worship service at church. One student had the blessing of playing "Amazing Grace" at her grandfather's funeral. 3. Teacher…
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17Sep 2018 by Shelly Davis
PPP110: Ten Ways to Genuinely Compliment Your Piano Kid

PPP110: Ten Ways to Genuinely Compliment Your Piano Kid

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
My kids know when I’m not really listening to them because I will nod and say, “That’s great!” in the wrong places. Sometimes my husband will add crazy made-up details to a story to see if I’m paying attention. We all know what it feels like to be ignored or, worse, to be complimented insincerely. Saying “That’s Great!” or “You’re Awesome” requires little effort on our part and doesn’t really give the confidence boost we think it does. Today I’d like to share with you some compliments I’ve received and that I try to share with my students. I hope they will give you some ideas of how you can put in a little more effort to genuinely compliment your piano kid. 1. "That is my favorite piece" This morning,…
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09Jul 2018 by Shelly Davis
PPP100: Ten Non-Musical Benefits of Studying Music

PPP100: Ten Non-Musical Benefits of Studying Music

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Listen to the full episode here Today, the Piano Parent Podcast is celebrating it's 100th episode!The Piano Parent Podcast has been downloaded 28,821 times from people all around the world. Thank you for listening and thank you for sharing the podcast with you piano parent friends.While this is a podcast milestone, it is also our 10th "10 musical somethings" episode. So today, I would like to give you 10 non-musical benefits of studying music!Over the years I’ve spoken to lots of teachers; some would argue that music is worthwhile simply for the beauty of music. I don’t disagree with them. When teachers at the schools where I teach approach me about using music to enhance their subjects, I get territorial. I encourage them to use music in their classroom for…
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30Apr 2018 by Shelly Davis
PPP090: 10 Positive Messages You Give Your Child When You Attend Their Piano Events

PPP090: 10 Positive Messages You Give Your Child When You Attend Their Piano Events

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Every tenth episode is a list of ten music-y things Previous lists of ten music-y things include 10 things to watch for when you sit at the piano, 10 books to read with your piano kid, and 10 ways to encourage a love of music. To see the full list of tenth episodes, click here. Every year private piano teachers host piano recitals My studio recital is the cherry on top of the previous school year. I use it to recognize all the accomplishments my students have achieved throughout the year. To learn more of what I value in annual spring recitals, read this blog post. Recitals offer students an opportunity to showcase their newly acquired skills, listen to other students play interesting music, and share their love of music with…
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27Nov 2017 by Shelly Davis
PPP070: Ten Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Piano Teacher

PPP070: Ten Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Piano Teacher

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
[caption id="attachment_1048" align="alignnone" width="410"] 'Tis the season for gift-giving and letting your teacher know how much you appreciate the influence they are having on your child's life.  On this 70th episode of the Piano Parent Podcast, I will share with you some of my favorite Christmas gifts and why some piano teacher might prefer something else. Listen to the full episode here (more…)
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10Jul 2017 by Shelly Davis
PPP050: What NOT to do as a Piano Parent

PPP050: What NOT to do as a Piano Parent

Podcast, Tenth Episode List
Sometimes parents just don't realize the piano mistakes they make. By listening to the Piano Parent Podcast, you can save yourself some embarrassment and save your teacher much anguish by avoiding these common problems. Listen to the full episode What NOT to do as a Piano Parent:1. Show up early - Try to arrive as close to your lesson time as possible, no more than five minutes early. Early arrival can catch your teacher unprepared or cause a distraction for the student before you.2. Show up late - Don't expect your piano teacher to babysit your piano kid. Manage your time wisely if you run errands during your child's lesson.3. Make yourself at home - Don't rummage through shelves or cabinets or wander around other parts of your teacher's home.4.…
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