Welcome to the Piano Sensei Way! I’m your host, Clinton Pratt, and I’m here to help you master the art of running a successful piano teaching studio!
The Piano Sensei Way is a podcast where I help piano teachers minimize stress and maximize success! I share my way of doing things, which in my opinion is the best way! It’s similar to Mr. Miyagi in the movie The Karate Kid where he tells Daniel to wax the car, sand the floor, and paint the fence. Daniel thought he was crazy just doing Mr. Miyagi’s chores for him. But Mr. Miyagi knew what he was doing! He was training Daniel’s muscle memory so he could defend himself! Similarly, I am so confident in my ways, if you trust me and try it, you’ll see the results!
The Piano Sensei Way is available on all your favorite platforms. Just click the button below or listen right here on this page!
Episodes
Use the podcast player for each episode below, or click the title of the episode to go to the post for that specific show. There, you will see all the show notes, listener comments, and the YouTube video version, too!
32 The Way to Internalize Music (Anthony Molinaro)
Do you have students you can’t keep a steady beat or have trouble with rhythm? Do you want your students to internalize music so they really feel it and can project it to others? You need Dalcroze Eurhythmics! Today’s guest, Anthony Molinaro, actually took Dalcroze Eurhythmics classes starting at age 5 where he grew up in Pittsburgh. Now he uses the philosophy as a general music teacher in public schools and also teaches at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp. In this episode, you’ll hear about the power of Eurhythmics and how to apply it with your own students to help foster their musicianship in an experiential and fun way!
31 The Way to Gain Brand Recognition
Do you want people to recognize your studio name around town? Have you thought about ways to get name recognition? Wouldn’t it be great if people searched for piano lessons in your area, and when they saw your website they immediately recognized it and said, “Oh, yea, let’s check them out!” In today’s very short episode, I share some fairly inexpensive ways to get brand recognition, and a fun success story, too!
30 BONUS: Clinton Interviewed on Topmusic Piano Podcast
I was interviewed by Rachel Ehring of the Topmusic Piano Podcast. The show is about creative resources, trends in piano pedagogy, and ways to grow your income. I share my journey from solo teaching to managing a team of instructors, detailing the challenges and rewards of expanding my studio. We discuss the innovative Benchmark Program for tracking student progress, strategies for building community through recitals and group classes, and tips for teachers considering a similar path. I also reveal upcoming projects, including a no-practice-required group class and my ongoing work with the American Eurhythmics Society.
29 The Way Stories Inspire Music (Evan Hunter)
What do you do to encourage your students to compose or explore more creativity? Have you thought about incorporating more composition in your teaching? And what about yourself: have you tried composing, but struggled with ideas or execution? Today’s guest is Evan Hunter, a composer and piano teacher who loves storytelling! We talk about how stories can stimulate compositional ideas for you and your students. He gives advice on how to get started with composition so it’s not so scary for students. Like doodling on paper or playing with legos, curiosity is an important factor. Once you know you’re allowed to just play around, it’s much easier to let go and see what you create! During the episode Evan shares one of his pieces, “Light Showers.” He reads the story and we listen to the gorgeous music!
28 The Way to Jazz Up Piano Lessons (Sean-David McGoran)
Do you want to include more improv in your lessons? Do you want students to be more comfortable with different keys and scales? How do you start introducing improvisation with a student so it’s not scary or intimidating? Today’s guest, Sean-David McGoran has a degree in jazz composition, plays piano, trumpet and saxophone, has performed in small groups, big orchestras, jazz bands, musical theater, and church settings. He not only has amazing improv skills, he has been teaching for over 39 years! In this episode, Sean-David gives us great tips on not only how to introduce improv to students, but also how to use improv as a tool to help other skills like familiarity with keys and scales.