001: Using Stories in Beginner Piano Lessons

Hello, wonderful teacher friends! I'm thrilled to welcome you to our very first episode of TopMusic Piano Podcast. Today, it's just you and me, as I unravel the magic that has been transforming my piano lessons and igniting a passion in my teaching — the enchanting power of stories. Inspired by a recent experience in church, where a guest pastor held me captivated with a story, I couldn't help but reflect on the transformative potential of storytelling in piano lessons. Stories, as I discovered, have the extraordinary ability to turn the mundane into the incredible, making learning a symphony of joy. Join me as I share insights, experiences, and even some delightful stories, including a free sound effect story named "A Whale of an Excuse." Let's dive into the world of storytelling and bring back the play into piano playing.



• Rachel dives into the power of stories in piano lessons, inspired by a compelling sermon experience.


• Reflecting on the effectiveness of learning through play, she encourages teachers to reintroduce playfulness into piano lessons.


• Introducing "sound effects stories," a creative approach to teaching basic piano concepts and improvisation techniques.


• Some insights into her "Gratitude" sound effect story, with an introduction to improvisation for young beginners.


• She shared her Etsy store for more stories, including a unique Christmas sound effects story that incorporates specific rhythms for an engaging experience.


• Rachel emphasizes the simplicity and adaptability of these stories, encouraging teachers to experiment with their own narratives to make learning fun.



Podcast Exclusive Freebie:




• "A Whale of an Excuse" Sound Effect Story  (https://mailchi.mp/93356d36491b/free-sound-effect-story)



Links Mentioned




• Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo (https://amzn.to/3T65gV6)


• Dynamic Piano Teaching Ep. 5: Musical Storybooks (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2154836/episodes/12833339)


• Dynamic Piano Teaching Ep. 14: Courtney Woodward on Family Dynamics Books  (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2154836/episodes/13556847)



About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.



• Visit her website at https://rachelehring.com/


• Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music (https://www.etsy.com/shop/dreamlavendermusic/?etsrc=sdt)



Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

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