In this episode, Hannah discusses how audiation-based piano instruction approaches reading music notation and gives an overview of the Reading and Writing Music Notation Books 1-3. 

During formal instruction, it is vital that we teach our students rhythm and tonal pattern vocabularies. These "words" of music are necessary for understanding and audiation. In this episode, Krista and Hannah discuss two important supplements for building pattern vocabularies in Music Moves for Piano Books 1-5, the Pattern CD and the Rhythm and Tonal Patterns from the Pattern CD book (also known as the Pattern Book). 

In this episode, Hannah and Krista discuss the performance pieces of Music Moves for Piano Books 1-5, including the evolution of the checklist, the role of the folk tunes, and the connections of the pieces to piano repertoire.

In this episode, Krista and Hannah discuss the Music Moves for Piano Exploration/Creativity/Improvisation projects, including why creating is important, how to use the student book and teacher's lesson plan activities, and the scope of the activities from books 1 through 5.

In this episode, Hannah and Krista talk about the first two sections of the Music Moves for Piano lesson plan units. Dive into Activity Time, as Krista describes the activities seen in each unit, including pattern instruction and the Song to Sing, and discusses how these activities develop and support audiation growth through the books. Then, Hannah tackles Keyboard Geography and Technique, with an in depth look at the importance of cadences and arpeggios and how the musical alphabet may not be the best place to begin.

In this episode, the second in a series on formal instruction, Krista discusses Gordon’s definition of formal instruction, how it differs from informal guidance, and how tonal and rhythm patterns are used to teach students to sing, chant, perform, create, read, and write music with understanding.

In this episode, Hannah discusses a few vital realizations she has had in recent years while teaching her students formally using Music Moves for Piano books 1 and above. She also gives a brief overview of a formal Music Moves lesson to set the stage for this series.

In this episode, Hannah and Krista discuss taking a short break from the podcast to focus on playing events, workshops, vacation (yay!), and the next Keys to Music Learning series on formal instruction AND summer learning opportunities at Music Learning Academy. We hope to see you at Book Club or Study Group!

In this episode, the last in the series of teaching beginners, we take the three main informal guidance activities, activity time, performance pieces, and improvisation, and discuss how they can be "repackaged" in a way appropriate for older students.

Looking to bring creativity and improvisation into your beginner piano lessons? In this episode, we give you ways to bring improvisation into your studio with fun and engaging activities that your students will love. Don't forget to download "Time to Improvise," an activity you can do with your students in your very next lesson!