Moms can absolutely teach piano at home without a music degree. What you need is a basic keyboard, a structured online program, 15 minutes a day, and a willingness to learn alongside your kids. The idea that piano requires a private teacher and a baby grand is leftover from a different era — one that excluded most families by design. Continue reading “How to Teach Piano at Home (Without a Music Degree)”
Category: Mom Stuff
What to Do When Your Child Wants to Quit Piano Lessons
I was in fifth grade when I told my mom I was done with piano lessons.
I don’t remember exactly how I said it — whether it came out dramatically after a rough practice session or as a carefully reasoned case I laid out at the dinner table — but I remember the feeling behind it. I was done. The joy had leaked out of it somewhere, and I couldn’t see a reason to keep going.
Here’s the thing, though. The real problem wasn’t piano. It was my teacher.
She had a habit of taking personal phone calls in the middle of my lessons. She insisted on full hour-long sessions that were genuinely hard for me to sit through at that age. And the music she chose never quite felt like mine — it didn’t challenge me in a way that felt exciting, and it didn’t give me anything to work toward. Without that forward momentum, practicing at home started feeling pointless too. If you’ve ever watched your child drag themselves to the piano bench like they’re headed to a dentist appointment, you know exactly what I mean. Continue reading “What to Do When Your Child Wants to Quit Piano Lessons”
The Best Time for Kids to Practice Piano (It’s Probably Not When You Think)
If you have ever tried to get your child to sit down and practice piano right after a full day of school, co-op activities, and soccer practice, you already know what I’m about to say. The sighing. The dragging of feet. The sudden and intense need to find a snack. The practice that technically happened but felt like pulling teeth for everyone involved.
Here’s the thing — it might not be your child’s attitude that’s the problem. It might just be the timing. Continue reading “The Best Time for Kids to Practice Piano (It’s Probably Not When You Think)”
When Piano Feels Hard: How Piano Practice Goals Keep Students Going
It’s easy for a student’s excitement about piano to ebb and flow. Some weeks, they’re eager to sit down and play. Other weeks… well, the piano bench seems to collect more dust than practice time.
The truth is, even the most enthusiastic learners hit periods where progress feels slow or the music feels “too hard.” That’s why having clear, personal piano practice goals can make such a difference. When students know exactly what they’re working toward — in their own words — they have a built-in source of motivation to keep going, even when the initial excitement fades.
Continue reading “When Piano Feels Hard: How Piano Practice Goals Keep Students Going”
Piano Practice Motivation
If you have a piano student at home, you probably know that practicing can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. Piano practice motivation comes and goes, and even the most enthusiastic students can hit slumps where they drag their feet to log those practice hours.
As a piano teacher, I see this all the time! And guess what? You’re not alone. I recently sent out a survey to our Busy Kids Do Piano members to find out what challenges they face when it comes to piano practice—and what strategies have worked for their families. Continue reading “Piano Practice Motivation”
Setting Practice Goals for the New Year
As we flip the calendar to 2025, many of us are thinking about New Year’s resolutions. The start of a new year feels like the perfect time for fresh beginnings and ambitious goals. But here’s an interesting fact: research shows that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February! Why? Often, it’s because the goals are too big, too vague, or not supported by a solid plan.
Instead of setting yourself up for frustration, try focusing on small, achievable goals—especially when it comes to piano practice. These types of goals can create positive momentum, build confidence, and lead to lasting progress over time. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, the key is to focus on what’s attainable, specific, and motivating. Continue reading “Setting Practice Goals for the New Year”
Be a Kid Composer
Simply stated, I’m obsessed with fall. Around this time every year, I pull out my favorite coat and boots, and start wanting pumpkin-flavored treats and warm cider. For our download this month, I wanted to give your student an opportunity to relish the delights of fall as well. As we near November, the days are shorter, the rain clouds linger, and the leaves turn golden. It’s a very special, beautiful time of year and it tends to bring a certain vibe, a feeling quite different from the excitement of summer. Continue reading “Be a Kid Composer”
A Peek At Our Homeschool (7th Grade Edition)
While this blog is typically a place where I share musical resources and piano practice tips, one of my most popular blog posts to date has been from last year when I shared the curriculum and approach I use to homeschooling our [then] 6th grade daughter. As we head into her 7th grade year, I thought I would do a similar post where I give you a peek into our homeschooling set-up for the year.
Continue reading “A Peek At Our Homeschool (7th Grade Edition)”
Help Your Piano Student Focus
Have you ever sat down with your child or a piano student for a lesson or practice and he’s had “ants in his pants”?
Sometimes students may have a diagnosed disorder such as ADHD or ASD, and other times — kids just have busy brains and busy bodies and need some guidance focusing.
Here are three ways to help a busy kiddo get focused for piano practice. Continue reading “Help Your Piano Student Focus”
A Peek At Our Homeschool
This blog is typically a place where I share musical resources and piano practice tips. I thought I would do something a little bit different in this post, and share with you a peek into our homeschool world.
This coming fall, I will be homeschooling my oldest daughter again for her 6th grade year. We take what is called an eclectic approach to homeschooling. This means we don’t follow one set philosophy such as Classical or Charlotte Mason. It also means we don’t use one boxed curriculum that overs every subject. Instead, I have picked out parts from different homeschooling resources that I believe best fit my daughter’s personality and interests. Continue reading “A Peek At Our Homeschool”
