Tag: learning piano at home

Why We Switched From In-Person Piano Lessons (and Don’t Regret It)

There’s a particular kind of disappointment that comes with a canceled piano teacher. You’ve made the decision. You’ve told your kid. Maybe you’ve even cleared a spot on the calendar and mentally rearranged your week around it. And then, a couple weeks before the first lesson, the plan falls apart.

That’s exactly what happened to Sarah, one of our members. She has three kids, and she’d found someone willing to drive out to her house and teach all of them at a good family rate, which for a busy homeschooling household felt like the only realistic way to make music lessons happen at all. Then the teacher changed her mind. No lesson, no backup plan, and a daughter who was, in Sarah’s words, “so, so disappointed.” Continue reading “Why We Switched From In-Person Piano Lessons (and Don’t Regret It)”

What the Circus Taught Me About Folk Music for Kids

This past week, our whole family piled into the car and drove into Atlanta to take our son to the UniverSoul Circus for his 14th birthday. (He picked it himself, which I loved, partly because it meant I didn’t have to be the one to come up with a brilliant idea this year.) This was our fourth time going. You’d think the novelty would wear off after four visits, but somehow it doesn’t. If anything, I think I love it more each time we go.

If you’ve never been, UniverSoul is a little hard to describe. It’s a circus, yes, with acrobats and motorcycles and the kind of stunts that make you grab the arm of whoever is sitting next to you. But it’s also a giant, joyful, foot-stomping celebration of cultures from all over the world, with music pumping through the whole tent from the very first minute. The audience doesn’t just sit and watch. We clap, we sing, we get pulled up out of our seats to dance. By the end, you truly feel like you’ve been to a party rather than a performance. Continue reading “What the Circus Taught Me About Folk Music for Kids”

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)”

How One Busy Family Uses a BKDP Lifetime Membership to Learn Music Anywhere

As we get closer to our upcoming Black Friday Lifetime Membership Sale, I’m excited to highlight a family whose experience captures exactly why a lifetime membership can be such a gift. Our Student of the Month, B., is an 11-year-old homeschooler who has been part of Busy Kids Do Piano for the past two years—and her family’s story is a perfect example of how BKDP supports real-life learning in a flexible, meaningful way. Continue reading “How One Busy Family Uses a BKDP Lifetime Membership to Learn Music Anywhere”

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”

Meet Our August Students of the Month: Chloe & Savannah

At Busy Kids Do Piano, I often hear the question: “Is your program just for little kids?” The answer is a resounding no! While many families join us when their children are just beginning their musical journey, Busy Kids Do Piano continues to support students as they grow—musically and developmentally. In fact, some of our most committed and accomplished pianists are now in their teens!

That’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to our August Students of the Month: Chloe and Savannah. Both girls are 14 years old and have been learning with Busy Kids Do Piano for over five years. Their stories offer a wonderful glimpse into what consistent piano study can look like for older students. Continue reading “Meet Our August Students of the Month: Chloe & Savannah”

7 Secrets to Take the Struggle Out of Piano Practice

 

If you’re anything like me, you know that getting kids to practice piano consistently can sometimes feel like a real challenge. As a piano teacher and parent, I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years — and today, I’m sharing seven easy and effective piano practice strategies to help make piano practice a smoother, more positive experience for your family. Continue reading “7 Secrets to Take the Struggle Out of Piano Practice”

Celebrate Piano Month: Free Coloring Book & Fun Piano Facts for Kids

A couple of years ago, I was walking the Beltline here in Atlanta during our local Pianos for Peace festival, where artists decorate old pianos and just leave them out along the trail for anyone to sit down and play. My friend Shawnna and I make a tradition of it every year — we walk, we find a piano, I play, she takes pictures.

That particular day, I was in the middle of “Piano Man” when a guy on his lunch break wandered over and just started singing along. We moved on to “The Way We Were” (him doing his best Streisand, no shame about it either). Turned out he worked at one of the studios nearby, and he told me he’d always wanted to do a little lunchtime concert for his coworkers but never had anyone to accompany him. So he hired me. I’ve gone back a few times since to play for him. Continue reading “Celebrate Piano Month: Free Coloring Book & Fun Piano Facts for Kids”

Host Your Own Piano Recital: 5 Fun & Easy Ideas

Hello, piano enthusiasts! If I were your in-person piano teacher, we’d be getting ready for our annual Spring Recital this month. Since I’m your virtual piano teacher, I want to help you bring the recital magic to your home. Here are five easy and fun ideas to host your own recital, ensuring your student’s hard work gets the spotlight it deserves.

Why Host a PIANO Recital?

Regular performances are a fantastic motivator for students. They provide a goal to work toward and a chance for friends and family to celebrate their progress. Gather some fellow music students or siblings and invite a small audience. These ideas require minimal preparation and are sure to create a memorable experience. Continue reading “Host Your Own Piano Recital: 5 Fun & Easy Ideas”

Piano Practice Prompt Cards (or…the PICK 3 Piano Practice Game!)

It’s not something exclusive to piano: we all want to be good at something as quickly as possible. Getting in our so-called 10,000 hours is often mundane, and maybe even a bit painful. And let’s be honest, some personalities can tolerate the mundane a bit more than others. For those of us who need extra novelty to keep going with piano practice, I’ve got your back.

Continue reading “Piano Practice Prompt Cards (or…the PICK 3 Piano Practice Game!)”