How to Teach Musical Phrasing to Piano Students (With Help from a Magical Queen)
If you’ve ever wondered how to teach musical phrasing to piano students in a way that truly sticks—especially with your fairy-loving beginners—let me introduce you to Ginny.
Ginny adores all things girly. Princesses, ballerinas (she takes ballet herself), and sparkles? Yes, please. But when it came time to teach her about musical phrasing, my usual superhero metaphors fell flat.
That’s when The Musical, Magical Queen came to the rescue.
Learn from My Mistake: The Avoidable Teaching Misstep That Leads to “WOW” Piano Playing
I used to think every phrase should crescendo to the high note. That’s where the energy is, right?
But something always sounded… off.
It wasn’t until I attended a fantastic conference session with Peter Mack that I finally had my “aha” moment. He talked about the emotional arc of a phrase—and suddenly, everything clicked.
The High Note Isn’t Always the Climax
Sometimes, the high note lands on a weak beat.
It might be a passing tone or even part of a gentle descent meant to release tension, not build it.
That changed the way I listened—and the way I taught.
Now, I invite my students to listen first and analyze second. We don’t just follow the contour of a melody. We ask:
Where does the phrase want to go?
What kind of character does it have?
Where’s the real destination?
It’s not just technical. It’s emotional. It’s artistic. And it’s where the magic happens.
Wild Notes: A Nature & Music Camp That Inspires Young Learners
What if you could bring the sounds of nature into your music studio? Imagine children giggling as they shake homemade instruments, tapping rhythms inspired by raindrops, and listening to the wind while creating their own musical stories. With Wild Notes: A Nature & Music Camp for Young Children, you can turn this vision into reality!
This engaging 4-day camp is designed for kids ages 4-9, blending music-making with sensory nature exploration. Perfect for summer programs, community events, or studio workshops, it helps young learners connect with the world around them while developing their musical skills.
Boost Your Studio This Summer with an Engaging Drum Circle Camp
Summer camps are a great way to keep students engaged, attract new families, and boost your studio income. But planning can feel overwhelming! The secret? Choose a simple, engaging theme and use a ready-made plan to save time.
How to Plan a Summer Camp (Without the Stress!)
Summer camps are a fantastic way to keep students engaged, attract new families, and add extra income to your studio. But planning can feel overwhelming—where do you start? The key is choosing a clear, engaging theme that excites students and makes teaching easy for you.
Steps to a Smooth & Successful Camp:
🎯 Pick a Focus: Keep it simple! Whether it’s rhythm, composition, or creative movement, a well-defined theme makes planning easier.
📅 Set the Schedule: Will your camp run for multiple days, one-day workshops, or weekly group sessions? Find a format that fits your studio.
🎶 Make It Hands-On: The best camps get kids moving, creating, and collaborating. Fun, active learning keeps energy high!
📣 Promote Early: Announce your camp at least two months in advance to give families time to plan. Use email, social media, and word of mouth to spread the word.
How to Plan a Summer Piano Camp (Without the Overwhelm!)
Summer camps can be a fantastic way to engage students, boost your income, and bring fresh energy to your studio. But planning one can feel overwhelming—where do you start? The key is to choose a well-structured curriculum that makes your job easier while keeping students excited and engaged.
Beyond the Notes: Why Art and Music Belong Together in Your Studio Summer Camp
Music and art share a powerful connection—both ignite creativity, encourage self-expression, and help students see the world in new ways. When young students explore music through visual art, they strengthen their listening skills, spark their imagination, and build confidence in their creative choices.
This is why incorporating art into your piano lessons or summer camps can be a game-changer. Whether it’s drawing while listening to music, exploring composers who were inspired by art, or creating music based on colors and shapes, these activities engage students in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Why Piano Camps Are a Must-Try for Students and Teachers
What’s Inside the Music & Nature Camp?
Designed for ages 4-9, this camp includes:
Daily themed lesson plans featuring music, sensory, and listening activities.
Nature-inspired explorations to spark curiosity.
Printable resources for easy preparation and hands-on learning.
Rote songs and piano ensembles that are simple, fun, and accessible to all.
Instructions for making instruments and other creative activities.
A Fun, Interactive Rhythm Game for Piano Lessons
Yesterday, I worked with one of my beginner students who often struggles to hold her half notes for the full two beats. It's a common challenge with younger students, especially when they haven’t yet felt the rhythm in their bodies. For kids, understanding rhythm is much easier when they can experience it physically. That’s why I came up with a simple game that gets them moving, and it only requires a small amount of space and some washi tape.
Summer Camps for Music Studios!
Summer camps are amazing fun for both in-person and online studios! The best thing - once you have the lesson plans, you can use them over and over in many ways! Here are some ways I have used summer camps:
1). traditional - groups of kids at my house for 3, 4, or 5 days in a row. Usually my limit is 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Hats off to those of you who do longer camps!
2) online - same thing - but on Zoom. Small groups of kids log on for successive camp sessions. In one case - I did an hour and a half session in the morning, had a break for lunch, and came back for 30-45 minutes in the afternoon. That actually worked well. In all of my online camps, students had an "at-home kit" that contained lots of goodies they could manipulate and work with during the camp!
3)one-offs. This was a great way to promote my studio in the community. I held small mini-camps for one morning at my house or a local park. Great publicity and community building!
Boom Cards Extravaganza!
I am really late to the Boom Card party. It’s not that they didn’t look cool to me. And it’s not that I didn’t see the instructional value.
TBH - Boom Cards felt like “technology overload”. And I am usually cool with technology. But, I have my limit.
However - I’ve been following Kelly Bordeaux, and I really respect her creative take on Boom Cards. She also gives a great deal of help to teachers. Here’s a video
I’m not practicing much, either :(
These days, it’s hard for me to find time to practice. Between work, family, and a little self-care, time at the piano has dried up.
Maybe I need a motivator. Like what I recently did with my students!
Last week, I presented during the Practice Space webinar. Have you seen it? Here is the link to the replay if you missed it (my part is around 30:40)