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Review – Flashnote Derby App Update

Review – Flashnote Derby App Update

I've been using the Flashnote Derby app with my students for several years. It's such a fun way to practice note recognition and doesn't take up much lesson time. You can read more about how the app works on Susan Paradis's blog here. Recently, when I opened the app I...

Exemplar Piano Bench – Review

Exemplar Piano Bench – Review

I recently got a new piano bench for my teaching studio, and I love it! I learned about Exemplar benches at the MTNA Conference last year. They had a booth set up in the exhibit hall and I immediately liked the benches. Finally, at the end of 2018 I was able to order...

MTNA eFestival Update

MTNA eFestival Update

We love MTNA and all it offers teachers and students (see our posts about MTNA here and here). I shared with you awhile back about the new MTNA eFestival (read that post here). So today, I wanted to give you a little update! MTNA found a new way for videos to be...

Tuesday Teaching Tactic #21

Tuesday Teaching Tactic #21

Happy Tuesday!  It's time for our twenty-first Teaching Tactic.  Students are our first priority in teaching, but it's the parents who pay the bills!  If the parents aren't satisfied you are going to lose your students.  A little extra effort to connect with the...

Tuesday Teaching Tactic #20

Tuesday Teaching Tactic #20

Woohoo! We've reached #20 in our Tuesday Teaching Tactics. These short posts are meant to just give you a quick idea or reminder about something you can incorporate right away in your teaching. We have loved sharing our favorite tricks and thoughts with you each week....

Tuesday Teaching Tactic #19

Tuesday Teaching Tactic #19

Another quick Tuesday Teaching Tactic today - can't believe we're already at #19! Today's tactic is "Just Imagine..." Now to use this one, you have to start out with this phrase and then create a story or a picture with your student. For example, I'm working on a Bach...

Christmas Activities Round Up

Christmas Activities Round Up

As we get closer to winter vacation and recital time, the excitement in my house is becoming palpable! That's because we're having our 3rd child join us in just a few more days! Having this deadline set for months has helped me get ahead on Christmas gifts and...

Teaching Tactic #18

Teaching Tactic #18

There are many ways to introduce a new piece to a student.  Sometimes we start with the sound of the piece through a recording or demonstration.  Do you ever start by studying the score?  This week's Teaching Tactic is to go on a "Score Scavenger Hunt" with your...

Teaching Tactic #17

Teaching Tactic #17

Another Tuesday means another Teaching Tactic here at 4D Piano!  Today's tip is to simplify your language.  This is something that really sunk in with me when I first started ballet as a brand new beginner (read more about that here). Ballet is so totally new to me...

Utah MTA Conference

Utah MTA Conference

  At the beginning of November, I had the privilege of traveling to Utah to present for their annual state conference.It was a quick trip and I wish I could have stayed longer to enjoy the beautiful city!  The conference was held at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi,...

Tuesday Teaching Tactic #16

Tuesday Teaching Tactic #16

Wow!  We've made it to 16 weeks of Teaching Tactics!  Today's tip is to pull up a YouTube video to play for your students.  We know that most students are not watching classical pianists and orchestras perform.  It's our job to expose them to this type of music.  This...

Introducing a New Piece

Introducing a New Piece

We don't often post on Fridays - after a busy week I think we are all looking forward to the weekend! But today I had something that's been on my mind all week and I just had to share before I close up the studio for the weekend. This week I've been noticing a...