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!
27 The Way to Increase Progress, Perseverance, & Purpose
Do your students struggle to make progress? Do you have a hard time getting them to practice and be disciplined? Is it difficult to have goals and a sense of direction for them? Do you want your students to be more well-rounded and possess comprehensive piano skills?
Piano Sensei to the rescue! I’ve created a system that provides a step-by-step gradual progression of piano skills, which will give you and your students a clear outline and path. After creating this and using it with my own students, I’ve noticed more consistent practice, progress, discipline, and motivation!
In this episode, I walk you through the system that I created and show you exactly how I use it to guide students through learning technique, repertoire, listening skills, reading, improvisation, and how to increase participation in recitals and events!
26 BONUS: Clinton interviewed on Rewind Podcast
I was interviewed by Amit Weiner of the Rewind Podcast. His show’s main focus is: How to Grow Your Music Career. He interviews musicians, composers, professors, and sound wizards, as they share their life stories and career decisions. We talk about some of my life story, how I got into music and became a piano teacher, and how I grew my studio.
25 The Way to Develop Intrinsic Drive (Evan Mitchell)
Dr. Evan Mitchell, Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Florida, joins us to share his ideas about how scientific studies and the Montessori learning model can be applied to the piano studio. We discuss extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, goals, rewards, deadlines, the power of a question, making things into a game, and teacher-centered versus student-centered lessons.
24 The Way to Evolve Your Studio (Amy Chaplin)
Amy Chaplin is a piano teaching entrepreneur — In addition to running her private studio, she is a blogger, podcaster, and presenter! Today we discuss three of her “big picture” studio evolutions: lesson formats, group class scheduling, and dabbling in other ventures. We talk about the motivation behind making changes and advice on evolving your studio. You’ll enjoy hearing her stories even if you aren’t looking to make any major changes!
23 The Way to Engage Parents (Barbie Wong)
How do you help parents motivate their children to practice? Is there such a thing as a parent who is too involved? Should parents sit in on lessons? Barbie Wong joins us to discuss how to educate and engage parents so their children will thrive in piano lessons! Lots of great tips and stories in this episode!