Our Compiled Teaching Tips

On our Instagram (@practicespaceapp) we’ve been posting #TeachingTips to our story! We’ve compiled a list of all of them, thus far, for your reference.

• Incorporate fun games and activities into lessons

  • Simple games can be a great way to motivate young students. Anything from rolling a die and having your student repeat a phrase that many times to playing a game of tic-tac-toe. Keep your games at arms reach and remember to always keep them simple!

• Small steps to success

  • Try not to throw too much at your student in one lesson. Try to focus on one small specific task like one part of a piece. And remember to always celebrate a student’s achievement, no matter how small it may be!

• Have an organized lesson planning system

  • Whether you’re using pen and paper or an app like Practice Space, it’s important to stay organized so you’re clear & intentional with what you’re working on with your students in their lessons and, more importantly, so your students can go home and feel confident with what they have to work on throughout the week. With Practice Space, teachers can list assignments and add documents, images, videos, links, and audio files. Once a teacher publishes a lesson, students will immediately receive a notification and will be able to see everything their teacher has added!

• Motivational goals

  • It’s essential to any music studio to keep a student’s motivation level high and sustained throughout the year. One way is to have a clear path for the student, no matter how old they are. For instance, there are a variety of method books for students that will guide them on their musical journey and provide them with opportunities to play repertoire at their grade and comfort level. Some graded methods also allow students to take tests at the end of each level, which can be a motivator booster as it gives students a specific goal to work towards and accomplish. Finally, don’t forget to provide your students with recital opportunities multiple times a year! Many students love showing off their hard work on stage and it gives them some extra focus in their lessons.

• Clear goals

  • It’s important to set goals for your student and be clear on what they need to work on throughout the year. Presenting students with a list of goals will help motivate and inspire them. When they sit down to practice, they know exactly what they need to work on. Goals set for students can be short-term such as finishing up a particular piece or working on a specific technique, or long-term, such as preparing for a competition, recital, or auditions.

• Performance opportunities

  • One of the most rewarding opportunities for music students is getting on stage and showcasing the music they have been working on in their lessons. There are a variety of performance opportunities available to students, and they will thank you for it! Holding numerous student recitals for your studio is an excellent way for you to create a community within your studio. It also gives students a chance to hear others in action. Beginning students can get highly motivated by seeing an advanced student who has been learning for a long time. There are also many opportunities for your students to perform for the public, ranging from a local farmers’ market to nursing homes. Having your students perform in public can also be a fantastic way to receive more exposure to your studio and attract more students.

• Using technology in lessons

  • Teachers are incorporating technology in their lessons today more than ever. Using technology for private lessons can make a teacher’s life easier while also making the lessons fun and motivating for their students. Apps like Practice Space can eliminate the hassle of giving hard copies of assignments to students each week with the risk they won’t return with it and help you organize your studio by having your student’s info all in one place. When students have all the tools they need right in their pocket, both the teacher and student can focus on the main goal, learning music. We’d love to hear from you about what tech you incorporate in your lessons!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and let us know if you have any teaching tips that we can share with the Practice Space community!