Oclef Daily | EP91 - All Great Piano Teachers Possess This Ability
Oclef Podcast
This is a great episode to share with a piano teacher friend. Push Back. It's simple, yet powerful. Don't avoid confrontation with a parent - especially if what you are pushing back on something that is in the best interest of their child. Parents want the best for their kids, but sometimes they don't realize how to think or behave - they are usually new to learning piano, just like their child. Be you, Be what that child needs. The tortoise always wins, Julian Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/oclef/
info_outline
Oclef Interviews | EP29 - Jon Nakamatsu - The Story of a Great American Pianist
Oclef Podcast
Loved doing this interview with Jon! He's just a great guy and I enjoyed getting the chance, like with most guests on the podcast, to ask deep questions. Please share this with parents of piano students and other teachers or aspiring pianist. He has great insight in many areas and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Julian
info_outline
Oclef Daily | EP90 - Is there an end to piano lessons?
Oclef Podcast
Pain relievers like aspirin can be taken if you have a headache and usually within 15 minutes the headache is gone. But what if there were a product that made that headache go away and then come back in 7 days? Whenever I have new classes start I often get the question from parents…how long does it take to learn piano? And I used to think that was a really silly question. Simply because, well, I’m still learning piano. And I’ll probably be learning piano for the rest of my life. But lately the more I think about that question, I realize that there should be an answer to that question. If...
info_outline
Oclef Daily | EP89 - The musician's mindset
Oclef Podcast
Yesterday I was working with a mother and her daughter and one simple piece of teaching advice left her speechless the second she tried it. This episode dives into the "Theory Theory" by Alison Gopnik and how it explains why the "Frozen Pencil" teaching technique works so well when teaching children to read piano. The tortoise always wins, Julian
info_outline
Oclef Daily | EP88 - You're more like a therapist than you want to believe
Oclef Podcast
Today's podcast goes into the challenging world of how we as teachers help our students navigate more than just their troubles and anxieties from learning. If you want your story or question on an upcoming episode - visit www.oclef.com/podcast and leave your story or question. The tortoise always wins, Julian
info_outline
Oclef Daily | EP87 - Kaizen and the perfection of pursuit
Oclef Podcast
In the education world, teachers sometimes can be overly focused on the results and outcomes in competitions and tests. And the question I have is - “What mindset does that produce for students in the long run?” I leave you with an idea and three questions. The Japanese word Kaizen means "change for better". How do you create experiences for your students that help them change and acquire the values you believe in? How does extrinsic motivators and rewards like tests and competitions actually shape your students perspective - especially if they are their main focus? Do you instill Kaizen...
info_outline
Oclef Daily: EP86 - Small Wins
Oclef Podcast
Talking about how small wins not only motivate students but can motivate their parent coaches as they make their way on the long journey of learning music. How do you motivate parents? The tortoise always wins, Julian
info_outline
Oclef Daily: EP85 - Knowledge vs. Understanding
Oclef Podcast
Trying a different format. Share it if you love it. The Tortoise always wins, Julian
info_outline
Oclef Q&A: EP011 - How can I instill a sense of passion into my child?
Oclef Podcast
Sample. Observe. Record. The child needs to sample a variety of activities and as their parent you need to be open and observant. Try to be as non-biased towards activities and you can. Watch them and record your observations about how they respond to these activities. Once you find the right one or two activities it comes down to you being passionate as the parent. Be as involved and helpful as you can. Ask the instructor what else you can do to help. Be there for the events and stay to help out the community. Show your passion and self-drive as a parent and your child...
info_outline
Oclef Daily: EP84 - Educate Parents on the Value of Piano
Oclef Podcast
Todays episode is a follow up on the concept talked about in yesterday’s interview with Irina Gorin. She talked about “educating parents”. What she really means is show parents the value of piano and why they need to be involved and committed in the right way. Today’s episode talks about a personal story on how one of my students has allowed lessons from piano (curiosity, patience, persistence, creativity) to get him accepted into Stanford University. Learning piano is so much more than just music. Julian
info_outlineDiscipline.
It’s the most important element you’ll need to confirm or solve for before moving forward.
Don’t start looking for a piano or a Method book or anything until you figure out how you plan to be consistent.
If you focus on all the tools of learning music and not focus on the way you will work (i.e. accountability and daily routine), then it won’t happen.
Habits are the best things and the worst things.
If you can get habits to work for you, then you’ll learn piano well.
So find someone to keep you accountable and disciplined in daily practice if you cannot do it yourself. Eventually you should develop yourself to do it on your own.
Good luck!
The tortoise always wins,
Julian