Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 was our Cavalcade performance day. The day began with a dress rehearsal at Skyline High School in Mesa, where the performance was also held. Excitement was in the air as the students had the opportunity to check out the performance venue and rehearse on stage in their groups. Whether it was their first Cavalcade performance, or whether they have participated in numerous Cavalcades, students were all smiles as they prepared for the evening's performance. Teachers and volunteers also enjoyed the morning, and shared moments of fun and laughter. 

Cavalcade season has arrived! Students have been rehearsing their duets, and began gathering together in their groups to practice together. The "Pirate Partners" met on one of two evenings each week for three weeks in February. The Music Store hosted the rehearsals, and we are grateful for their hospitality. Beginning students through advanced students gave it their all, and got used to playing with the members of their group while following their director. Teachers, students and families have been preparing for months, and we are so excited to get this event going!

DVMTA members and friends met on February 24, 2023 to hear our own DVMTA members, Jessica Heidt and Hong Zhu, present Interpreting Piano Literature. Hong gave an analysis of the Baroque time period, and Jessica presented analysis of  Classical and Romantic time periods. Members were engaged and given wonderful information to help students as they determine how best to approach learning and playing pieces from these eras. The time period and the instrument capabilities were factors to consider, and different options and clues were placed within each piece of music to aid in the playing style. We thank these wonderful members for sharing their information and insights. 

It’s February and LOVE is all around us. Is your LOVE of music showing in your teaching? Do your students LOVE to take music lessons?

As music teachers, we are on a quest to pass on a skill that gives us joy, fulfillment, confidence, and a sense of purpose. But it’s not always easy. Many children today are overworked, overwhelmed, over-scheduled, and time deficient, which often leads them to make practice a low priority and to approach lessons with dread or apathy. We have all had students who are low on motivation at one point or another. It’s not always easy to keep students practicing week after week. One of my students is a high school sophomore who just finished a rigorous football season. I’ve noticed that recently he seems to have lost his excitement about piano lessons, and he has been showing up to lessons with little or no practice during the week. I’ve been thinking of ways to reignite his desire keep music in his life.

Here are some ideas I found for motivating piano students:

(Many of these ideas come from Joy Morin, “9 Ideas for Motivating Piano Students, Color in My Piano blog)

1. Build a good relationship with your students (LOVE them)

This lets them know that you like to be with them and that you care about them. Show interest in your students’ lives outside of piano. Ask questions to get to know them and listen to their answers. Be aware of what is going on in their lives and adjust accordingly. (a rigorous sports season, starting a new school…) Connecting with your students allows you to have greater influence on them, and they will be more motivated to learn.

2. Be sure to give them a good variety of repertoire

Find out what types of music they like. Supplement their method book(s) with new age piano, hymn arrangements, jazz/blues, pop music, soundtrack/music theater music, or whatever is currently popular. Always make sure they are working on something classical too.

3. Be silly (some of the time)

Playing an instrument requires hard work, concentration, and determination, but students won’t engage well if it’s all work. Choose appropriate times to have some fun, high-five, celebrate successes, be animated, and laugh.

4. Start an incentive program

Incentive programs can help to not only give your students a goal to work towards, but also to reward their hard work and good behavior.

5. Try playing more music games in the lesson

Not all students will become concert pianists. For many students, it may be more than enough to become functional pianists who have a strong, life-long appreciation for music. Try giving an extra emphasis on theory or ear training games. This might revive their interest in practicing their pieces.

6. Try doing more creative activities involving improvisation and composition

This helps communicate that creativity is important. Try to help them figure out what the composer of a piece might have been thinking or help them create a mood or story with their playing.

7. Find ways to increase studio camaraderie

Help students make “piano friends” by providing occasions when your students can meet and interact with each other. Assign duets between students, enter them in Cavalcade, or hold group lessons where they can play games and work together in small groups.

8. Provide regular performance opportunities

In addition to your annual or semi-annual recitals, you can also add low-stress performance opportunities such as Halloween/Christmas parties or a recital at a local senior center. You could also have studio performance times during monthly group lessons. Hearing other students play may motivate them to improve their own playing or to someday work on the same repertoire they hear from other students.

9. Have a talk with Mom or Dad

Often the problem is that the student needs to practice more. Ask mom or dad to give the student a gentle reminder each day. Suggest that they make a set routine or practice schedule. Ask the parents to occasionally sit at the bench with the student and ask them about their pieces and what they enjoy about them. Suggest they walk through or sit when the student is practicing and occasionally give praise and compliments to encourage them. This shows the student that practice time is a priority and something worthwhile and even enjoyable.

10. Let your LOVE of music show

Emotion is contagious! Take the opportunity to communicate often about what you love about music and playing the piano. Make sure to draw their attention to a beautiful melody, a catchy rhythm, a unique chord, or exciting passage. Ask them what they like in their pieces. Remind them how lucky they are to have music in their lives. Play for them often and share your favorite pieces with them. Encourage them to listen to all types of music.

#1 and 10 are probably our most important tools to keep our students motivated and LOVING piano lessons. Remember we are teaching students to be life-long musicians. Have a wonderful month and don’t forget to let your LOVE of music show!

Tammy Shorts
DVMTA President 2022-2024

Read the full February 2023 Newsletter