The Piano Sensei Way

Hosted by Clinton Pratt

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Oct 2024

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About the show

The Piano Sensei Way is a podcast where I help piano teachers minimize stress and maximize success! I share my way of doing things, which in my opinion is the best way! It’s similar to Mr. Miyagi in the movie The Karate Kid where he tells Daniel to wax the car, sand the floor, and paint the fence. Daniel thought he was crazy just doing Mr. Miyagi’s chores for him. But Mr. Miyagi knew what he was doing! He was training Daniel’s muscle memory so he could defend himself! Similarly, I am so confident in my ways, if you trust me and try it, you’ll see the results!

Listen to episodes

33 recent

October 15, 202443 min

32 The Way to Internalize Music (w/ Anthony Molinaro)

Do you have students you can’t keep a steady beat or have trouble with rhythm? Do you want your students to internalize music so they really feel it and can project it to others? You need Dalcroze Eurhythmics! Today’s guest, Anthony Molinaro, actually took Dalcroze Eurhythmics classes starting at age 5 where he grew up in Pittsburgh. Now he uses the philosophy as a general music teacher in public schools and also teaches at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp. In this episode, you’ll hear about the power of Eurhythmics and how to apply it with your own students to help foster their musicianship in an experiential and fun way! Anthony’s Substack Anthony’s Instagram Related episode: Episode 4 The Way Movement Unlocks Musicality w/ David Frego

October 1, 202411 min

31 The Way to Gain Brand Recognition

Do you want people to recognize your studio name around town? Have you thought about ways to get name recognition? Wouldn’t it be great if people searched for piano lessons in your area, and when they saw your website they immediately recognized it and said, “Oh, yea, let’s check them out!” In today’s very short episode, I share some fairly inexpensive ways to get brand recognition, and a fun success story, too! Related episode: Episode 5 - The Way to Get More Students From Your Website

September 17, 202438 min

BONUS: Clinton Interviewed on Topmusic Piano Podcast

I was interviewed by Rachel Ehring of the Topmusic Piano Podcast. The show is about creative resources, trends in piano pedagogy, and ways to grow your income. I share my journey from solo teaching to managing a team of instructors, detailing the challenges and rewards of expanding my studio. We discuss the innovative Benchmark Program for tracking student progress, strategies for building community through recitals and group classes, and tips for teachers considering a similar path. I also reveal upcoming projects, including a no-practice-required group class and my ongoing work with the American Eurhythmics Society. Topmusic Piano Podcast

September 3, 202434 min

29 The Way Stories Inspire Music (w/ Evan Hunter)

What do you do to encourage your students to compose or explore more creativity? Have you thought about incorporating more composition in your teaching? And what about yourself: have you tried composing, but struggled with ideas or execution? Today’s guest is Evan Hunter, a composer and piano teacher who loves storytelling! We talk about how stories can stimulate compositional ideas for you and your students. He gives advice on how to get started with composition so it’s not so scary for students. Like doodling on paper or playing with legos, curiosity is an important factor. Once you know you’re allowed to just play around, it’s much easier to let go and see what you create! During the episode Evan shares one of his pieces, “Light Showers.” He reads the story and we listen to the gorgeous music! Evan’s Website: www.EvanHunterMusic.com Simply Music method: https://simplymusic.com/ Play-A-Story (now called “Inner Musician”): https://courses.innermusician.com/

August 20, 202442 min

28 The Way to Jazz Up Piano Lessons (w/ Sean-David McGoran)

Do you want to include more improv in your lessons? Do you want students to be more comfortable with different keys and scales? How do you start introducing improvisation with a student so it’s not scary or intimidating? Today’s guest, Sean-David McGoran has a degree in jazz composition, plays piano, trumpet and saxophone, has performed in small groups, big orchestras, jazz bands, musical theater, and church settings. He not only has amazing improv skills, he has been teaching for over 39 years! In this episode, Sean-David gives us great tips on not only how to introduce improv to students, but also how to use improv as a tool to help other skills like familiarity with keys and scales. Resources Sean-David’s studio website: https://www.thetunedinacademy.org/ Mark Davis Jazz Piano Method: https://a.co/d/bsSLKuU Jerry Bergonzi: https://www.jerrybergonzi.net/instructional-content Hal Crook, How to Improvise: https://www.amazon.com/How-Improvise-Approach-Practicing-Improvisation/dp/3892210314 Piano By Ear by Lucinda Macworth-Young: https://www.lucinda-mackworth-young.co.uk/piano-by-ear

August 6, 202434 min

27 The Way to Increase Progress, Perseverance, & Purpose

Do your students struggle to make progress? Do you have a hard time getting them to practice and be disciplined? Is it difficult to have goals and a sense of direction for them? Do you want your students to be more well-rounded and possess comprehensive piano skills? Piano Sensei to the rescue! I’ve created a system that provides a step-by-step gradual progression of piano skills, which will give you and your students a clear outline and path. After creating this and using it with my own students, I’ve noticed more consistent practice, progress, discipline, and motivation! In this episode, I walk you through the system that I created and show you exactly how I use it to guide students through learning technique, repertoire, listening skills, reading, improvisation, and how to increase participation in recitals and events! FREE 32-page document which is crucial in organizing and tracking student progress: https://benchmark.thepianosenseiway.com/

July 23, 202443 min

BONUS: Clinton interviewed on Rewind Podcast

I was interviewed by Amit Weiner of the Rewind Podcast. His show's main focus is: How to Grow Your Music Career. He interviews musicians, composers, professors, and sound wizards, as they share their life stories and career decisions. We talk about some of my life story, how I got into music and became a piano teacher, and how I grew my studio. Rewind Podcast

July 9, 2024Episode 2546 min

25 The Way to Develop Intrinsic Drive (w/ Evan Mitchell)

Dr. Evan Mitchell, Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Florida, joins us to share his ideas about how scientific studies and the Montessori learning model can be applied to the piano studio. We discuss extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, goals, rewards, deadlines, the power of a question, making things into a game, and teacher-centered versus student-centered lessons. Evan’s website: https://evanmitchell.net/ Evan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evan.mitchell.pianist Resources: The Essential Montessory by Elizabeth Hainstock “Rethinking the value of choice: A cultural perspective on intrinsic motivation” by Iyengar, S. S., & Lepper, M. R. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology “Undermining children’s intrinsic interest with extrinsic reward: A test of the ‘overjustification’ hypothesis” by Lepper, M. R., Greene, D., & Nisbett, R. E. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius by Angeline Stoll Lillard The Marshmallow Test — Mastering Self-Control by Watler Mischel Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook: A Short Guide to Her Ideas and Materials by Maria Montessori “The effects of choice on intrinsic motivation and related outcomes: A meta-analysis of research findings”by Patall, E. A., Cooper, H., & Robinson, J. C, Psychological Bulletin

June 25, 202441 min

24 The Way to Evolve Your Studio (w/ Amy Chaplin)

Amy Chaplin is a piano teaching entrepreneur — In addition to running her private studio, she is a blogger, podcaster, and presenter! Today we discuss three of her “big picture” studio evolutions: lesson formats, group class scheduling, and dabbling in other ventures. We talk about the motivation behind making changes and advice on evolving your studio. You’ll enjoy hearing her stories even if you aren’t looking to make any major changes! Podcast: https://pianopantry.com/podcast/ Presentations: https://pianopantry.com/speaking/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PianoPantry/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/pianopantryamy

June 11, 202446 min

23 The Way to Engage Parents (w/ Barbie Wong)

How do you help parents motivate their children to practice? Is there such a thing as a parent who is too involved? Should parents sit in on lessons? Barbie Wong joins us to discuss how to educate and engage parents so their children will thrive in piano lessons! Lots of great tips and stories in this episode! 10 Ways to Inspire Kids to Make Music — Mini Guide https://barbiewong.com/inspire/ Website: https://barbiewong.com/teachers/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/barbiewong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbiewongmusic