TopMusic Piano Podcast

108: Solo or Collaborative… Which Would You Choose?


Listen Later

As I wrap up this series on performance anxiety, I wanted to spend one more episode talking about something that has shaped my own performing life in a big way: collaborative piano. In this episode, I'm reflecting on the differences between solo and collaborative performing, what accompanying has taught me as a musician and teacher, and why it might be worth exploring if you’ve never considered it before.
  • Rachel compared the unique challenges of solo and collaborative performing.
  • Why collaborative performing feels less intimidating than solo playing.
  • How accompanying has strengthened her listening and musical flexibility.
  • Rachel how collaborative work helps pianists become more responsive musicians.
  • How accompanying young students builds both musical and teaching skills.
  • The importance of adjusting quickly when students lose their place.
  • How collaborative work can create valuable paid opportunities for pianists.
  • Common gig options such as choirs, soloists, weddings, and theater.
  • Rachel encouraged teachers to explore low-pressure ways to start accompanying.
  • She introduced her new collaborative pianist rate calculator to help teachers price gigs confidently.

Links Mentioned
  • Get your tickets for TopMusicLive 2026 here.
  • Collaborative Pianists’ Rate Calculator

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 RachelEhring.com
  • Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
  • Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
  • Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

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.
If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.
Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial
Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

TopMusic Piano PodcastBy Tim Topham

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

7 ratings


More shows like TopMusic Piano Podcast

View all
The Ramsey Show by Ramsey Network

The Ramsey Show

39,228 Listeners

The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast by Tim Topham

The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast

130 Listeners

The Lazy Genius Podcast by Kendra, The Lazy Genius

The Lazy Genius Podcast

6,713 Listeners

Piano Parent Podcast: helping teachers, parents, and students get the most of their piano lessons. by Shelly Davis

Piano Parent Podcast: helping teachers, parents, and students get the most of their piano lessons.

56 Listeners

Overcoming Distractions-Thriving with ADHD, ADD by David A Greenwood

Overcoming Distractions-Thriving with ADHD, ADD

122 Listeners

Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee by Dr Rangan Chatterjee: GP & Author

Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

3,903 Listeners

Music Studio Startup: Helping music teachers thrive as entrepreneurs by Andrea Miller

Music Studio Startup: Helping music teachers thrive as entrepreneurs

39 Listeners

The Vibrant Music Teaching Podcast | Proven and practical tips, strategies and ideas for music teachers by Nicola Cantan

The Vibrant Music Teaching Podcast | Proven and practical tips, strategies and ideas for music teachers

64 Listeners

Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning by Ashley Danyew

Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning

21 Listeners

Beyond Measure: A Podcast for Piano Teachers with Christina Whitlock by Christina Whitlock

Beyond Measure: A Podcast for Piano Teachers with Christina Whitlock

47 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,222 Listeners

The Piano Pantry Podcast by Amy Chaplin

The Piano Pantry Podcast

41 Listeners

7-Figure Music School by Daniel Patterson & Nate Shaw

7-Figure Music School

40 Listeners

The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast by Jaclyn Mrozek

The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast

18 Listeners

Creative Piano Pedagogy by Elizabeth Davis-Everhart

Creative Piano Pedagogy

4 Listeners