This is a great episode to share with a piano teacher friend. Push Back. It's simple, yet powerful. Don't avoid confrontation with a parent - especially if what you are pushing back on something that is in the best interest of their child. Parents want the best for their kids, but sometimes they don't realize how to think or behave - they are usually new to learning piano, just like their child. Be you, Be what that child needs.  The tortoise always wins, Julian Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/oclef/

This is a great episode to share with a piano teacher friend. Push Back. It's simple, yet powerful. Don't avoid confrontation with a parent - especially if what you are pushing back on something that is in the best interest of their child. Parents want the best for their kids, but sometimes they don't realize how to think or behave - they are usually new to learning piano, just like their child. Be you, Be what that child needs. The tortoise always wins, Julian Follow us on Instagram! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oclef/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/oclef/</a>

Oclef Daily | EP91 - All Great Piano Teachers Possess This Ability

Jon Nakamatsu

Loved doing this interview with Jon! He's just a great guy and I enjoyed getting the chance, like with most guests on the podcast, to ask deep questions. Please share this with parents of piano students and other teachers or aspiring pianist. He has great insight in many areas and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Julian

Loved doing this interview with Jon! He's just a great guy and I enjoyed getting the chance, like with most guests on the podcast, to ask deep questions. Please share this with parents of piano students and other teachers or aspiring pianist. He has great insight in many areas and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Julian

Oclef Interviews | EP29 - Jon Nakamatsu - The Story of a Great American Pianist

Pain relievers like aspirin can be taken if you have a headache and usually within 15 minutes the headache is gone. But what if there were a product that made that headache go away and then come back in 7 days? Whenever I have new classes start I often get the question from parents…how long does it take to learn piano? And I used to think that was a really silly question. Simply because, well, I’m still learning piano. And I’ll probably be learning piano for the rest of my life. But lately the more I think about that question, I realize that there should be an answer to that question. If you change the question slightly, the answer becomes something that FEELS achievable. I’d ask: “How long does the average child take to acquire all the necessary skills, knowledge, practice strategies and coordination to become an independent learner of piano music?” I think there is an answer to that question. The tortoise always wins, Julian Follow us on www.instagram.com/oclef

Pain relievers like aspirin can be taken if you have a headache and usually within 15 minutes the headache is gone. But what if there were a product that made that headache go away and then come back in 7 days? Whenever I have new classes start I often get the question from parents…how long does it take to learn piano? And I used to think that was a really silly question. Simply because, well, I’m still learning piano. And I’ll probably be learning piano for the rest of my life. But lately the more I think about that question, I realize that there should be an answer to that question. If you change the question slightly, the answer becomes something that FEELS achievable. I’d ask: “How long does the average child take to acquire all the necessary skills, knowledge, practice strategies and coordination to become an independent learner of piano music?” I think there is an answer to that question. The tortoise always wins, Julian Follow us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/oclef" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/oclef</a>

Oclef Daily | EP90 - Is there an end to piano lessons?

Yesterday I was working with a mother and her daughter and one simple piece of teaching advice left her speechless the second she tried it. This episode dives into the "Theory Theory" by Alison Gopnik and how it explains why the "Frozen Pencil" teaching technique works so well when teaching children to read piano. The tortoise always wins, Julian

Yesterday I was working with a mother and her daughter and one simple piece of teaching advice left her speechless the second she tried it. This episode dives into the "Theory Theory" by Alison Gopnik and how it explains why the "Frozen Pencil" teaching technique works so well when teaching children to read piano. The tortoise always wins, Julian

Oclef Daily | EP89 - The musician's mindset

Today's podcast goes into the challenging world of how we as teachers help our students navigate more than just their troubles and anxieties from learning. If you want your story or question on an upcoming episode - visit www.oclef.com/podcast and leave your story or question. The tortoise always wins, Julian

Today's podcast goes into the challenging world of how we as teachers help our students navigate more than just their troubles and anxieties from learning. If you want your story or question on an upcoming episode - visit <a href="http://www.oclef.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.oclef.com/podcast</a> and leave your story or question. The tortoise always wins, Julian

Oclef Daily | EP88 - You're more like a therapist than you want to believe

In the education world, teachers sometimes can be overly focused on the results and outcomes in competitions and tests. And the question I have is - “What mindset does that produce for students in the long run?” I leave you with an idea and three questions. The Japanese word Kaizen means "change for better".  How do you create experiences for your students that help them change and acquire the values you believe in? How does extrinsic motivators and rewards like tests and competitions actually shape your students perspective - especially if they are their main focus? Do you instill Kaizen or continuous improvement experiences into your student’s learning paths? 

In the education world, teachers sometimes can be overly focused on the results and outcomes in competitions and tests. And the question I have is - “What mindset does that produce for students in the long run?” I leave you with an idea and three questions. The Japanese word Kaizen means "change for better". <ol> <li>How do you create experiences for your students that help them change and acquire the values you believe in?</li> <li>How does extrinsic motivators and rewards like tests and competitions actually shape your students perspective - especially if they are their main focus?</li> <li>Do you instill Kaizen or continuous improvement experiences into your student’s learning paths?</li> </ol>

Oclef Daily | EP87 - Kaizen and the perfection of pursuit

Talking about how small wins not only motivate students but can motivate their parent coaches as they make their way on the long journey of learning music. How do you motivate parents?  The tortoise always wins, Julian

Talking about how small wins not only motivate students but can motivate their parent coaches as they make their way on the long journey of learning music. How do you motivate parents? The tortoise always wins, Julian

Oclef Daily: EP86 - Small Wins

Trying a different format. Share it if you love it.  The Tortoise always wins, Julian

Trying a different format. Share it if you love it.  The Tortoise always wins, Julian

Oclef Daily: EP85 - Knowledge vs. Understanding

Sample. Observe. Record.    The child needs to sample a variety of activities and as their parent you need to be open and observant. Try to be as non-biased towards activities and you can. Watch them and record your observations about how they respond to these activities.   Once you find the right one or two activities it comes down to you being passionate as the parent. Be as involved and helpful as you can. Ask the instructor what else you can do to help. Be there for the events and stay to help out the community. Show your passion and self-drive as a parent and your child will be more likely to mimic that behavior. Nothing can be certain, but this will increase the likelihood of the outcome you imply from your question.   The tortoise always wins, Julian

Oclef Q&A: EP011 - How can I instill a sense of passion into my child?

Todays episode is a follow up on the concept talked about in yesterday’s interview with Irina Gorin. She talked about “educating parents”. What she really means is show parents the value of piano and why they need to be involved and committed in the right way.  Today’s episode talks about a personal story on how one of my students has allowed lessons from piano (curiosity, patience, persistence, creativity) to get him accepted into Stanford University. Learning piano is so much more than just music. Julian

Todays episode is a follow up on the concept talked about in yesterday’s interview with Irina Gorin. She talked about “educating parents”. What she really means is show parents the value of piano and why they need to be involved and committed in the right way.  Today’s episode talks about a personal story on how one of my students has allowed lessons from piano (curiosity, patience, persistence, creativity) to get him accepted into Stanford University. Learning piano is so much more than just music. Julian

Oclef Daily: EP84 - Educate Parents on the Value of Piano

On this show, we interview experts who help children to develop their talents. These experts can be in music, arts education, sports or an academic teacher. Basically, anyone who works regularly with children or develops programs for them. On this show, we are looking to share the strategies, secrets, and processes that these experts use every day to help kids become great.

Julian has a deep understanding of children’s psyche and you can tell he wants them to succeed

Love the podcasts

Love this, it&#39;s insightful, entertaining, and I wish there was more!

A long overdue conversation between music educators

Oclef Podcast

Lisa Bastien

Several months ago we had Lori Bastien on the show and now I'm so excited to have Lisa on the show. I'm actually in New York for this one and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit her flat where she teaches and composes.  The Bastien family is legendary in the music education space, but these days Lisa, Lori and Jane are coming out with an app and launching new books. The methodology is available on Amazon. Check it out here: http://amzn.to/2GYbw9X

Several months ago we had Lori Bastien on the show and now I'm so excited to have Lisa on the show. I'm actually in New York for this one and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit her flat where she teaches and composes.  The Bastien family is legendary in the music education space, but these days Lisa, Lori and Jane are coming out with an app and launching new books. The methodology is available on Amazon. Check it out here: <a href="http://amzn.to/2GYbw9X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/2GYbw9X</a>

Oclef Interviews | EP22: Lisa Bastien - Continuing and innovating the Bastien Methodology

An improv exercise to help your students get started on creativity.  This podcast will also be available on our page at Anchor.fm/education  Visit that link or download the app. We'd love to hear you call into the podcast and will feature your thoughts and ideas on things we talk about on the show.  Julian

An improv exercise to help your students get started on creativity.  This podcast will also be available on our page at <a href="http://Anchor.fm/education" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Anchor.fm/education</a> Visit that link or download the app. We'd love to hear you call into the podcast and will feature your thoughts and ideas on things we talk about on the show.  Julian

 Oclef Daily: EP05 - An improv exercise

Nahre Sol

I'm such a fan of Nahre. You have to check out Nahre's videos and pages if you aren't already following her online. She has amazing skills as a creative video creator, practicer, and pianist-composer. In the episode, Nahre and I go deep into a conversation on a variety of topics and if you're a piano teacher or parent, this one will be very helpful to you. You must follow this super talented and hard-working star: www.facebook.com/practicenotes Instagram: @nahresol Web: www.nahresol.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8R8FRt1KcPiR-rtAflXmeg

I'm such a fan of Nahre. You have to check out Nahre's videos and pages if you aren't already following her online. She has amazing skills as a creative video creator, practicer, and pianist-composer. In the episode, Nahre and I go deep into a conversation on a variety of topics and if you're a piano teacher or parent, this one will be very helpful to you. You must follow this super talented and hard-working star: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/practicenotes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/practicenotes</a> Instagram: @nahresol Web: <a href="http://www.nahresol.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.nahresol.com</a> YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8R8FRt1KcPiR-rtAflXmeg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8R8FRt1KcPiR-rtAflXmeg</a>

Oclef Interviews | EP24: Nahre Sol - The amazing practice video pianist and composer

Irina Gorin

She's amazing. What else is there to say about Irina? :) Check out Tales of A Musical Journey and the rest of her work here - http://www.irinagorin.com/ Enjoy! Julian

She's amazing. What else is there to say about Irina? :) Check out Tales of A Musical Journey and the rest of her work here - <a href="http://www.irinagorin.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.irinagorin.com/</a> Enjoy! Julian

Oclef Interviews | EP28 - Irina Gorin - The Iconic Trailblazer in Piano Teaching

I just got a call today asking about lessons for a 2-year-old. My response, "You mean the number after 1?"  Does anyone out there actually teach 2-year-olds music or is it more about play and discovery?

I just got a call today asking about lessons for a 2-year-old. My response, "You mean the number after 1?"  Does anyone out there actually teach 2-year-olds music or is it more about play and discovery?

Oclef Daily: EP32 - Is 2 years old too young?

I've always thought this. Weird, awkward and quirky things about people are the best things. The best. But for whatever reason, I've only recently applied it throughout my teaching and consulting.  I used to work with students and use archetypes to be more efficient in my teaching.  Big mistake. Nowadays, it's all about finding the weirdest thing I can find about students and using that as their strength. Playing their unique traits and views as their strengths allows them to have a better outcome almost every time.  It's the better bet. But, it means that you won't have a studio full of competition pianists. It means you'll have a studio or school full of all different types of pianists.  If you teach students this way. Questioning them. Learning their views. And then help them be themselves. They will forever love you. Simply because you're helping them be themselves. You're giving them permission to be the person they are and not asking them to conform to someone or something they're not.  And that! That's the art of teaching to me. Learning the student, their parents, and understanding their "wacky world". So that you can help them build it with them at every lesson, practice, and experience together.

I've always thought this. Weird, awkward and quirky things about people are the best things. The best. But for whatever reason, I've only recently applied it throughout my teaching and consulting.  I used to work with students and use archetypes to be more efficient in my teaching.  Big mistake. Nowadays, it's all about finding the weirdest thing I can find about students and using that as their strength. Playing their unique traits and views as their strengths allows them to have a better outcome almost every time.  It's the better bet. But, it means that you won't have a studio full of competition pianists. It means you'll have a studio or school full of all different types of pianists.  If you teach students this way. Questioning them. Learning their views. And then help them be themselves. They will forever love you. Simply because you're helping them be themselves. You're giving them permission to be the person they are and not asking them to conform to someone or something they're not.  And that! That's the art of teaching to me. Learning the student, their parents, and understanding their "wacky world". So that you can help them build it with them at every lesson, practice, and experience together.

Oclef Daily: EP79 - Be weird. Be awkward. Be quirky. Be you.

Sueanne Metz

Oclef Interviews | EP11: Sueanne Metz - The teacher taking piano competitions to the next level

We posted a survey on our Instagram and got hundreds of responses. The question was: Does a student need musical talent to succeed in learning music? The audiences answer was a yes... 57% Yes to 43% No Any great teacher will tell you that the answer to that question is obviously no. That's an easy answer. So I guess I need to do a better job educating our IG community. But, I am at the point where I'm even questioning if musical talent exists. In this episode, - I go into my personal history - Briefly talk about perfect pitch - Discuss soft skills  - Talk about the 'one thing' keeping me from completely dropping the idea of musical talent.  What are your thoughts on musical talent? Does it exist? How do you know? Reach me julian@oclef.com

We posted a survey on our <a href="http://www.instagram.com/oclef" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and got hundreds of responses. The question was: Does a student need musical talent to succeed in learning music? The audiences answer was a yes... 57% Yes to 43% No Any great teacher will tell you that the answer to that question is obviously no. That's an easy answer. So I guess I need to do a better job educating our IG community. But, I am at the point where I'm even questioning if musical talent exists. In this episode, - I go into my personal history - Briefly talk about perfect pitch - Discuss soft skills  - Talk about the 'one thing' keeping me from completely dropping the idea of musical talent.  What are your thoughts on musical talent? Does it exist? How do you know? Reach me julian@oclef.com

Oclef Daily: EP75 - Does musical talent exist?

Mike Springer

Oclef Interviews | EP10: Mike Springer - The composer who's keeping piano students on track

Reading.   My best advice for a student just starting piano, at any age (5–105) is to develop your reading ability.   While you’re working on your reading here are two super helpful tips:   Have a very diverse set of books to read from. Don’t stick to one book or one piece of music.   Develop your ‘visual vocabulary’. Music is built from patterns and if you look, intervals (or the spaces between notes) are the building blocks of almost everything (chords, cadences, melody, counterpoint, etc.). Get very good at reading music by interval and you’ll start to see how music is assembled.   If you’re working with a child, we’ve developed a piano method for parents to help their children. You can follow us on YouTube.

Reading.   My best advice for a student just starting piano, at any age (5–105) is to develop your reading ability.   While you’re working on your reading here are two super helpful tips: <ol> <li> Have a very diverse set of books to read from. Don’t stick to one book or one piece of music. </li> <li> Develop your ‘visual vocabulary’. Music is built from patterns and if you look, intervals (or the spaces between notes) are the building blocks of almost everything (chords, cadences, melody, counterpoint, etc.). Get very good at reading music by interval and you’ll start to see how music is assembled. </li> </ol> If you’re working with a child, we’ve developed a piano method for parents to help their children. You can follow us on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUqEmaLrf_Fs-Cvyk1HvOkA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.

Oclef Q&A: EP006 - What is your advice for someone just starting piano?

Minds race. But there is an answer to calm the mind. Meditation is as real and helpful as diet or exercise (which used to also be considered unimportant). Meditation for children should be a regularly scheduled activity. The best part? It's only 10 minutes. And the results are massive. Try it for a month and just watch how your children begin to deal with stress differently.  Reach out to me if you're an educator who does this, we'd love to have you on the show - julian@oclef.com

Minds race. But there is an answer to calm the mind. Meditation is as real and helpful as diet or exercise (which used to also be considered unimportant). Meditation for children should be a regularly scheduled activity. The best part? It's only 10 minutes. And the results are massive. Try it for a month and just watch how your children begin to deal with stress differently.  Reach out to me if you're an educator who does this, we'd love to have you on the show - julian@oclef.com

Oclef Daily: EP48 - Meditation for children

Honesty  It’s a desirable quality.  But the funny thing is how people often consider that NOT saying something because it’s not positive, is a good thing.  Radical Candor is one of the biggest changes and tools to my work as an educator over the last few years.   Not saying something to a parent that is the truth and is hurting their child’s chance of success in music is ludicrous.   Check out this podcast on how being candid with parents has made them trust me and listen to me more than ever.   Take responsibility, be frank with people and you’ll be surprised.   Presentation is everything. So choose your words with taste. Feel free to reach me at julian@oclef.com

Honesty It’s a desirable quality. But the funny thing is how people often consider that NOT saying something because it’s not positive, is a good thing. Radical Candor is one of the biggest changes and tools to my work as an educator over the last few years.  Not saying something to a parent that is the truth and is hurting their child’s chance of success in music is ludicrous.  Check out this podcast on how being candid with parents has made them trust me and listen to me more than ever.  Take responsibility, be frank with people and you’ll be surprised.  Presentation is everything. So choose your words with taste. Feel free to reach me at julian@oclef.com

Oclef Daily: EP76 - Why radical candor is required when teaching

Lori Bastien

For show notes: http://oclef.com/podcast/ep09-lori-bastien-on-her-holistic-piano-methodology/

For show notes: <a href="http://oclef.com/podcast/ep09-lori-bastien-on-her-holistic-piano-methodology/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://oclef.com/podcast/ep09-lori-bastien-on-her-holistic-piano-methodology/</a>

Oclef Interviews | EP09: Lori Bastien - On her holistic piano methodology

I answer a few call-in questions from listeners. Would love to hear your call-ins. Reach us at anchor.fm/education

I answer a few call-in questions from listeners. Would love to hear your call-ins. Reach us at <a href="http://anchor.fm/education" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">anchor.fm/education</a>

Oclef Daily: EP16 - Q&A on Talent in Music

Why does sight-reading account for such a small amount of practice and lesson time? What if sight-reading was more than 50% of the time early on for piano education? Growth and development would be slow in the beginning, but it could be 100x the rate of development in later years simply because the students could be more efficient, learn faster and expose their minds to more music. 

Why does sight-reading account for such a small amount of practice and lesson time? What if sight-reading was more than 50% of the time early on for piano education? Growth and development would be slow in the beginning, but it could be 100x the rate of development in later years simply because the students could be more efficient, learn faster and expose their minds to more music.

Oclef Daily: EP28 - Reading is key

Asher Brown

Really enjoyed the chance to catch up with a friend from college, David Asher Brown. He's improving a variety of music education challenges at the moment, including online music education videos and curriculum with his company - www.PianoCub.com. Listen to this interview episode. 

Really enjoyed the chance to catch up with a friend from college, David Asher Brown. He's improving a variety of music education challenges at the moment, including online music education videos and curriculum with his company - <a href="http://www.PianoCub.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.PianoCub.com</a>. Listen to this interview episode.

Oclef Interviews | EP21: David Asher Brown - A talk with the Founder of PianoCub on music education

Scott McBride Smith

Scott McBride

For show notes: http://oclef.com/podcast/ep08-scott-mcbride-smith-the-music-teachers-national-association-presidents-view-of-music-education/

For show notes: <a href="http://oclef.com/podcast/ep08-scott-mcbride-smith-the-music-teachers-national-association-presidents-view-of-music-education/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://oclef.com/podcast/ep08-scott-mcbride-smith-the-music-teachers-national-association-presidents-view-of-music-education/</a>

Oclef Interviews | EP08: Scott McBride Smith - The Music Teachers National Association President's view of Music Education

Jennifer Schoener

For show notes: http://oclef.com/podcast/ep04-jennifer-schoener-connecting-communities-through-music-education/

For show notes: <a href="http://oclef.com/podcast/ep04-jennifer-schoener-connecting-communities-through-music-education/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://oclef.com/podcast/ep04-jennifer-schoener-connecting-communities-through-music-education/</a>

Oclef Interviews | EP04: Jennifer Schoener – Connecting communities through music education

After questions on practicing and pieces, this is the most common parent question. "Is it too late for me to learn piano?"

After questions on practicing and pieces, this is the most common parent question. "Is it too late for me to learn piano?"

Oclef Daily: EP24 - Learn an instrument in 2018

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Best Episodes: Personal Stories & Great Interviews

The best podcast episodes on romantic relationships. Episodes talk about the 5 love languages, intimacy, and the taboo topics of sexual desires and infidelity. This topic is a deep dive into the science and complexities that face us in our relationships with others. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!