Boost Performance Prep With These Recital Ideas

by Georgina Wilson

Knowing they’re working towards a recital can nudge your students into putting more effort into their performance preparation. They don’t want to look silly up on the stage. But knowing they’re working towards a one-of-a-kind recital that’s not like anything they’ve ever done before… Well, that kicks them into action. They’re enthusiastic.

Teaching Improvisation with AI Prompts

by Tara Wright

What if improvisation didn’t feel so scary? For a lot of students, the idea of “just making something up” feels overwhelming—like they’re being asked to step off a cliff and hope they land somewhere safe. But here’s the thing: improvisation doesn’t have to be terrifying.

3 Improvisation Activities Your Students Will Love

by Georgina Wilson

Improvisation comes naturally to some students. They’ll happily noodle away on the keys for hours. But it can lack a structure. (And by ‘structure,’ I don’t mean form. I mean, they randomly bash the keys with no thought behind what they’re doing.

Compose. Improvise. Create

by Georgina Wilson

“Compose” and “improvise” are two words that can send shivers down the spine of music teachers. But composition, improvisation, and creativity are the cornerstones of everything at TopMusic. Over the last 10 years, teachers have really started to embrace creativity in their lessons. But, there are still some hesitant educators.

Teaching Preschoolers

by Tim Topham

Is teaching preschoolers something you’re passionate about? Is it something you’ve been thinking about doing for a while? Or does the thought of it fill you with fear? Preschoolers are often an untapped demographic for piano teachers (and private music teachers in general).

When Music Lessons Don’t Go To Plan…Get Creative!

by Tim Topham

“Time to get creative!” You probably have a plan for each lesson. You know the piece your student is working on, their next page in the method book, and the steps to take to help them progress. But what do you do when something doesn’t go to plan? Panic. Get creative!

What Music Teachers Can Learn From Chiropractors

by Tim Topham

Creative marketing has many benefits for music teachers. Rather than advertising and onboarding the same way everyone else does, think outside the box. It’ll make you stand out against your competition and act as a glimpse into how you run your studio.

Creativity In Your Studio

by Tim Topham

Do you embrace creativity in your studio? By its very definition, creativity is “…the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness”. In musical terms, creating something new generally means generating new musical content. But creativity doesn’t just have to stop at that. We’ve collated all our resources on creativity in your studio.

Strategies for teaching improvisation to beginners

by Tim Topham

When it comes to teaching improvisation to beginners, many piano teachers shy away. They either reserve that activity for more advanced students or they don’t do it at all. I’m here to explain why and how you should teach your beginner piano students to improvise.

How To Teach Songwriting to Your Piano Students

by Tim Topham

So your piano student wants to write their own music. How can you help them?

5-Step Composition Process Template

by Timz Fojas

Easy Christmas Lead Sheets

by Tim Topham

Playing Christmas carols is a rite of passage for many piano students. But it can become monotonous to hear the same pieces played in the same way over and over again! Encourage your students to create their own arrangements of these festive favourites, using the lead sheets as a starting point.