Afleveringen
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š¹ Ranking My 6 Digital Pianos: From Worst to Best
Hey, I'm Nicola Cantonāand yes, I have seven piano-type instruments in my house! In this episode, Iām ranking six of my digital pianos (excluding my beloved acoustic) from worst to best. From budget keyboards to high-end hybrids like the Kawai Novus series, Iāll share what I love, what drives me nuts, and how each one fits into my music studio life. If youāre considering a digital piano, you wonāt want to miss this honest breakdown!
Let me know if you want a shorter version for social media or a more playful tone!
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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Why Your Child Wonāt Practice (and What You Can Do About It) ā 2025 Edition
This age-old question has a fresh twist in 2025. In this episode, we break down the classic ā and surprising new ā reasons kids resist practicing music. From overscheduling and poor instruments to screen time battles and misunderstood routines, we explore whatās really getting in the way and how you can turn it around. No guilt trips, just real talk and practical strategies to support your young musician.
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Struggling with student focus? In this episode of Vivid Practice, Nicola Cantan dives into why kidsā attention spans really are shrinkingāand what we as teachers can actually do about it. From screen-time hangovers to too-challenging repertoire, Nicola breaks down the real reasons your students might be zoning out and shares practical strategies to keep them engaged, focused, and thriving in lessons. It's not about gimmicksāitās about connection, pacing, and smart teaching.
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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Here's a short and optimized podcast description for you:
"Want to boost your students' sight reading skills? In this episode, I share my favorite sight reading resources and why an intervallic approach is the key to success. Weāll explore books like Piano Safari Reading Cards, Paul Harris' Improve Your Sight Reading, and Piano Adventures Sight Readingāplus practical strategies like duets and quick-study pieces. Whether you're teaching beginners or advanced students, these tools and tips will help make sight reading more effective and enjoyable!"
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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How often do you find yourself rushing to finish a lesson on time? Letās fix that! In todayās episode, Iām sharing creative ways to wrap up lessons with intentionāwhether it's through improvisation, reviewing practice plans, playing favorite pieces, or even dancing it out! These closing activities can leave students feeling accomplished, confident, and ready to practice. Tune in for some fresh ideas to help you finish lessons on a high note! š¶š« #PianoTeaching #LessonTips #MusicEducation
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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Tired of endless explanations? Letās stop talking about scales and start playing them! In this episode, Iāll share how I transformed my teaching by focusing on actionāintroducing scales through improvisation, minimizing verbal instructions, and using backing tracks for accountability. Discover why letting students figure it out leads to deeper learning and how you can revolutionize your approach to teaching scales. Ready to rethink your methods? Letās dive in! š¶š¹ #PianoTeaching #Scales #MusicEducation
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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"The Power of Buddy Lessons: Real Examples from My Studio"
In this episode, I share my personal experience with buddy lessonsāwhy I missed them when my schedule changed and how they bring a unique dynamic to piano teaching. I walk you through three real-life examples from my studio, from a young beginner pair to a group of teens, showing the creative activities we use to build rhythm, technique, and musical confidence. Whether you're a music teacher or just curious about how small group learning works, this episode gives you an inside look at the benefits of buddy lessons in action.
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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"Struggling to get yourself or others to practice piano? You're not alone! In this episode, weāre skipping the usual advice on time management and motivationāinstead, weāre diving into three key missing ingredients that can transform practice sessions. From smart repetition to 'desirable difficulties' and the power of performance pressure, these strategies will help students (and teachers) get real results. Tune in to level up your piano practice!"
Let me know if you'd like any tweaks!
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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"Are you a 'one-method-book' teacher? In this episode, I dive into the idea of method book loyaltyāwhy some teachers stick to just one, why that doesn't sit right with me, and how it might limit both teachers and students. It's not about judgment, just an open conversation about flexibility, creativity, and lifelong learning. Letās explore the balance between structure and adaptability in our teaching. Are you method book loyal or disloyal? Letās discuss!"
Let me know if you want any tweaks! š
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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"Teaching Teen Piano Transfer Students: Strategies for Success"
Hey there, beautiful teachers! Today, we're diving into the world of teenage piano students who transfer from another teacher. How do we assess their skills, build trust, and keep them engagedāespecially if motivation is questionable? I'll share key strategies, from essential first meetings to lesson activities that foster connection and success. Plus, why building a strong teacher-student relationship is the #1 priority. If you've ever struggled with teen transfers, this episode is for you! šµāØ
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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š¹ Best Method Books for Teen Beginner Piano Students š¶
Hey, beautiful teachers! Today, we're diving into the best method books for teenage beginner piano studentsāthose 13- to 19-year-olds starting from scratch. We'll explore pacing, repertoire, and which books work best based on your students' goals. From Piano Safari for the Older Student to Fired Up and more, Iāll share my top picks and how to choose the right one. Tune in to find the perfect fit for your teen students! š§āØ
Let me know if you'd like any tweaks! š
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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Hey lovely teachers! š¹ Today, weāre diving into a simple yet powerful practice hack: Scales Before School! This quick, five-minute habit helps students (and even us teachers!) stay consistent with their practice by fitting in a small session before the day gets busy. Itās not just about scalesāit can be anything: a technical exercise, a piece, or even a theory game. The key is touching the piano daily, building a routine that sticks. Tune in to hear why this tiny shift can make a huge impact! š§āØ #PianoPractice #ScalesBeforeSchool #MusicRoutine
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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š¹ Lessons from Nobuyuki Tsuji: Joy, Listening & Breaking Barriers š¶
Hey there, beautiful teachers! š In this episode, Iām sharing my reflections from an unforgettable concert with the incredible pianist Nobuyuki Tsuji. From his pure joy in music to his unique learning process as a blind pianist, thereās so much we can take away as musicians and educators. Plus, letās talk about breaking classical music traditions and how we can make concert halls more welcoming for new audiences. š¼āØ
Tune in for inspiration, insights, and a fresh perspective on music education! š§š”
#PianoTeaching #NobuyukiTsuji #MusicEducation #ClassicalMusic
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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Is struggle a requirement for success? In todayās episode, we unpack a deeply ingrained belief in music educationāand beyondāthat says, because I struggled, you should too. From extreme examples like Whiplash to subtle teaching habits, we explore how this mindset impacts students, the role of grit, and why making things unnecessarily difficult might actually be exclusionary. Instead of reinforcing outdated traditions, how can we empower students with smarter, more effective learning strategies? Letās rethink the struggle bus and make music education more inclusive, engaging, and fun. šš¶
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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š§ The Vibrant Music Teaching Podcast
In this episode, Nicola Cantan explores how changing your position in the teaching room can transform your perspective and enhance your students' experience. Discover the surprising impact of where you sit, stand, or move during lessons, and join Nicola in an experiment to try something new in your teaching space. Listen in for fresh ideas to improve connection and insight!
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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š§ The Vibrant Music Teaching Podcast
In this episode, Nicola Cantan dives into the pros and cons of regular recitals. Should you plan more performance opportunities, or could they distract from broader musical progress? Discover how to find the right balance for your studio and why Nicola is experimenting with fewer recitals this year. Tune in for insights and inspiration!
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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š§ The Vibrant Music Teaching Podcast
In this episode, Nicola Cantan shares how a simple āmorning memoā can transform your productivity. Learn how to reclaim focus, reduce mental noise, and make the most of your dayāwhether in the morning or any time that works for you. Tune in for practical tips and inspiration!
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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š¶ The Vibrant Music Teaching Podcast š¶
š§ Hosted by Nicola Cantan, this episode dives into five favorite things bringing joy this monthāknitting, inspiring piano pieces, an incredible recipe app, embracing a concert-free season, and reclaiming time with Instagram limits. Whether you're looking for fresh teaching inspiration or a little more fun in your life, tune in for practical tips and joyful ideas.
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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Welcome to the Vibrant Music Teaching Podcast with Nicola Cantan! In this final episode of 2024, Nicola shares insights from an unexpected sourceādog training! Discover how principles like celebrating success, avoiding overloading, and embracing the learning process can transform your teaching. Reflect on a year of growth, celebrate wins, and get inspired for 2025. Donāt miss this fun, insightful episode packed with lessons for every music teacher!
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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Hi, I'm Nicola Cantan! In todayās episode, weāre diving into organizing teaching resourcesāa hot topic for many teachers. Zsuzsa asked how to manage both physical and digital resources, especially from multiple sources. Iāll share practical tips for creating a system that works for your brain, keeping everything accessible and tidyājust in time for year-end organization!
Weāll explore:
Streamlining physical games and books.Setting up user-friendly digital folders and naming systems.Tools like Dropbox and why a good enough system beats perfection.Stay tuned to get inspired for your 2025 teaching organization goals!
Find out more about membership at vibrantmusicteaching.com.
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