effective practiceIn a session on group teaching at NCKP, Dr. Christopher Fisher mentioned that Nancy O’Neill Breth’s “Piano Student’s Guide to Effective Practicing” is a required material for all students in his group classes.  This is a resource that I’ve seen before, and meant to get myself a copy of but for some reason I never have.  So, I took the opportunity to pick one up at the NCKP exhibit hall (with the conference discount and no shipping cost, so it was a great deal!).  I also got  “The Parents Guide to Effective Practicing” by the same author, and an extra copy of the student’s guide for a giveaway (more on that later).

The “Guide to Effective Practicing” is a simple tri-fold made of cardstock, but it is full of lots of excellent information.  It includes 58 practice tips, and even a “When All Else Fails” section.  What  a great resource for students and parents!  The parent’s guide is especially good for young students whose parents guide them through practice.  I am suggesting that my students get at least one of these two resources as we start the semester.  At only $6.99, it’s not a hard sell for parents and students.  Teaching my students how to practice effectively is one of my biggest goals as a piano teacher, so why not make it as easy for them as possible?

As I mentioned, I have an extra copy of the “Guide to Effective Practicing” to giveaway to one of our readers here at 4D Piano Teaching.

  • To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below on this post telling us at least one way that you try to help your students practice effectively.  Your comment must be posted by Midnight (CST) on Friday August 23.
  • For an extra entry in the giveaway, “like” us on Facebook, or share our Facebook page on your newsfeed and leave an additional comment telling us that you have done so.
  • A winner will be chosen by random drawing on Monday, August 26.  The winner will be announced here on our blog, and will receive the prize by mail.

Author: Spring

Spring Seals, NCTM, teaches 60 piano students ranging from age 3 to 70 in Fort Worth, Texas. She also serves as the Director of Certification for TMTA. She is passionate about helping teachers become more effective in their studios through professional development, new resources, and fresh ideas.