Pianodao‘s dedicated page for educators brings together the site’s articles relating to our teaching values, approaches and work.
Pianodao advocates a repertoire-rich approach to piano teaching, with a core focus on helping pupils develop their own lifelong enthusiasm for music.
Based on leading research into effective learning, the site is a passionate advocate for putting the PLAY back into playing the piano.
This goal is predicated on nurturing an intrinsic love of music, rather than needing to depend heavily on extrinsic motivations such as competitions and exams. Play is the single most powerful vehicle for learning, and is ultimately at the very heart of what it means to be alive.
Underpinning this, Pianodao promotes awareness and understanding of how to become a Three-Dimensional Pianist, developing Musical Mind, Body and Soul.
The ultimate aim of the best music education is for our students to develop into musicians with an Active Repertoire of pieces that they enjoy playing and can share with confidence and ownership.
Selected Highlights:
Essential Piano Education Resources 2023-24
It can be overwhelming keeping track of all the latest and best resources for piano teaching.
As we enter another academic year, I have therefore collated this list of some of the most essential educational resources and piano music publications to take with us into the coming months…
Putting the PLAY back into Playing the Piano
Are you bored by method-book teaching, disappointed by the exam system, and perplexed to find that piano isn’t proving more fulfilling?
If so, then this radical new manifesto for piano education in the 21st Century is for you!
The Three-Dimensional Pianist
Understanding the importance of the three dimensions of musical learning, Musical Mind, Musical Body and Musical Soul, empowers us to teach, learn and practise music holistically, and make more effective and lasting progress at the piano…
Teaching Adults to Play the Piano
Adults do not learn in the same way as children. A different approach is clearly needed. In this post I share some of the strategies which have worked for me over the last three decades of teaching adult learners…
A Common Approach 2022
Fully updated and now available as a free online resource, A Common Approach 2022 is perhaps the ultimate instrumental music teaching manual, offering a complete curriculum and extensive lesson activities for most instruments, including piano and keyboard…
16 Attributes of a Good Teacher
“It’s never been more important for those of us who care about music education to consider the character qualities that underpin good teaching, rather than simply learning how to check boxes on forms, or follow the latest method.”…
Some ideas to challenge us all this weekend…
Explore All:
The Pianist’s Humiliation
Most educators, from local teachers to adjudicators, examiners, and conservatoire professors, would balk at the suggestion that we would ever humiliate a student. But realistically, many of us will have inadvertently done so, and will likely also have experienced humiliation ourselves.
WARNING: This article discusses and includes accounts of humiliation which might trigger distressing memories or thoughts for some readers.
Chethams’ Summer Piano Teacher Course
I am delighted to confirm that I have accepted an invitation to lead the Piano Teachers’ Course at this year’s Chethams International Piano Summer School. Find out more…
Trinity’s Digital Theory Grades
Trinity College London recently announced new Digital Theory exams which, in their words, “retain the integrity of the musical approach”. Intrigued, I wondered whether they had found a genuinely better way to assess music theory online…
I was delighted to have the opportunity for an in-depth interview with Trinity’s Director of Music and Music Publishing, Francesca Christmas, in order to find out more…
ABRSM Performance Diplomas
ABRSM recently published the full details of their new digital-only LRSM and FRSM Performance Diplomas.
Here’s a brand new and fully updated article outlining these qualifications, and addressing some of the concerns being raised within the profession…
Why use Graded Anthologies?
Whether or not you are interested in taking graded exams, anthologies of piano music selected for specific levels of playing can offer many advantages…
The Appeal of Einaudi’s Music
Why do so many millions connect with the piano music of Ludovico Einaudi, and what can we learn from his extraordinary popularity?
Should Piano Teaching Be Regulated?
Were the music teaching profession regulated, with minimum qualifications and monitored standards, what might that really look like in practice, and how might it impact educational opportunity and community music making? Here are some thoughts…
Why do we play the piano?
The question of why we play the piano would seem to be both an obvious one to ask and an easy one to answer. And yet it rarely is…
In this article I consider four “types” of player, while recognising that most of us combine aspects of most or all…
Podcast with Chris Woods
I was recently invited to take part in the Music Education Podcast, hosted by Chris Woods, to talk about How to Practise Music… you can listen here:
The Gamification of Musical Learning
In what has been hailed as the “Ludic (play-centric) Century”. we can see growing evidence of gamification in music education..
In this article I consider the transformative impact this may be having, for better or worse…
Singing in Aural Tests: the Bottom Line
The topic of singing in aural tests has long been a contentious one, but has become more so in recent years…
How to Practise Music
The essential, pocket-sized companion for every musician!
Accessible and authoritative, HOW TO PRACTISE MUSIC is Andrew’s highly acclaimed book of tips for anyone who wants to get more out of their practice…
Achievement, Assessment and Motivation
ABRSM have recently launched a debate into the nature of musical achievement, assessment, and intrinsic motivation. How do these three relate, if at all?
ABRSM’s Performance Grades
Having long recommended ABRSM to my students, it has been particularly interesting to see the development of their new Performance Grades, which place all aspects of musical development under the spotlight in their appropriate context: MUSIC.
Musicians Who Teach
I have no hesitation in recommending this book as an essential primer that should be required reading for all who teach singing or a musical instrument in the UK. Buy it, absorb it, and you will certainly have no regrets!
ABRSM Piano Scales 2021
With the publication of their 2021-22 Piano Syllabus (reviewed in full here), ABRSM have given their scales requirements a significant overhaul, also publishing new scales books and resources.
Piano Teaching and the Art of Criticism
In this article I will share some suggestions on how to offer constructive, helpful criticism, leading to positive progress and enthusiastic learning.
The Pianist’s Resolution
The start of any new year or season is for many a time for making resolutions: for ambition, grit and determination.
But what are the ingredients of perseverance which will foster that success?
Can we really trust educational research?
Let’s consider some popular education theories from recent years which are regularly cited in discussions about piano teaching…
Hear, Sing, Play, Read, Write?
It is often asserted that music is learnt in the same way as language. But perhaps it’s actually rather more complex than that…
Breathing with Bach
In this lesson, we address the importance of the breath in alleviating shoulder tension, using three dance movements from the Partita as example repertoire.
Piano Teaching: An Isolated Existence?
Those of us who work alone need to make efforts to build a support network, both professional and personal, so that even as our work thrives, so too does our mental health, social and emotional wellbeing…
Simple fixes for easing piano pain
From doubting whether she might be able to continue playing, Bernice rediscovered and affirmed the joy that playing an instrument brings into her life. Here’s how…
Do you believe in classical music?
It is odd that some piano teachers seem to avoid classical music, unless and until it is specifically requested by a student or otherwise required. Why is this?
Finding Your Mentor
What should piano teachers look for in a mentor?
Learning to Play with Precision
We can play so much better if we are willing to make the effort required to develop precision.
Rote Learning: a waste of time?
What exactly is “rote learning”, and does it really work?
Why Bother with Scales?
An in-depth look at the learning benefits, the importance of fingering, cumulative learning, and a more creative approach:
The Pianist’s Motivations
Intrinsic and Extrinsic motivation are like Yin and Yang – we need a happy balance of both…
The Playful Piano Teacher
Do you enjoy your work? I mean – really enjoy it, all the time?
Should we still teach students to hand-write music?
It seems to me important to embrace new technologies while retaining the traditional skills and understanding which underpin and enrich their use…
The Problem with Method Books
In this post I will explain why there will never be a truly perfect Method Book. We’ll consider a balanced curriculum, stare into the abyss of a world without Method Books at all, and hopefully come away with a better idea of how to use Method Books in a sensible, balanced way.
Personalised Learning
Personalised learning will help you and your children become confident independent players with a lifelong love of music. Here’s why…
The Piano Teacher’s Posture
All good piano teachers are concerned to teach and monitor good posture to their students, and as players we are hopefully equally aware of our own posture at the piano.
Piano Lessons: Dealing with Anxiety
I am sure that most piano teachers will be alert to the fact that some pupils coming to lessons are anxious. This post will look at some reasons for that, and offer some suggestions that might help normalise lessons.
Take a Bow! How, When and Why…
Stagecraft is a skill that must be taught to students as part of performance preparation…
A Voyage of Discovery
Special Guest Paul Harris explores how music lessons might best unfold…
Playing the Piano “For Fun”?
“I want to Learn for Fun” is a phrase that generates a variety of responses from teachers…
Rhythm Games (download)
A gift to Pianodao readers, this set of 37 full-sized cards are mostly in Common time, with a handful in Compound time. PLUS: a few ideas of games you can play with students which will put these flash cards to creative use…
Let’s talk about our practice expectations
When teachers and parents nurture enthusiasm, practice will invariably follow, and it will be of the productive sort that’s fundamentally motivated by the internal goals of the student…
The Art of Piano Pedagogy
If we teach well, our pupils might believe they have essentially taught themselves …
“Sound before symbol”: lessons from history
If we commit to an approach that is fundamentally based in aural transmission and musicality, while equally still insisting on the importance of fluent notation reading, then we can preserve and build upon the great traditions of classical music education…