The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast

318: Innovative Scale Practice Ideas for Piano Teachers with Nicola Cantan


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As musicians, understanding scales is an important part of our study, but it can also be a struggle for some students. In today's episode, our guest Nicola Cantan from Vibrant Music Teaching answers a lot of questions and concerns when teaching scales, starting by looking at the value of learning scales, how improvising can change how our students look at scales, and learning about fingering and the relationships between different patterns. Nicola also shared some helpful tips on how to start learning scales as well as creative and innovative scale practice ideas.
    • Where should we start when teaching scales?


        • Understanding the value of learning scales.


            • How improvising has changed how students look at scales.


                • When do you start learning scales?


                    • Tips on how to introduce scale fingering and in what order.


                        • Aligning scales with the music that our students are playing.


                            • What can we do if a student is struggling with a particular scale?


                                • Innovative scale practice ideas for beginners.


                                • Links Mentioned
                                    • Vibrant Music Teaching


                                        • Colourful Keys


                                            • Review the Integrated Music Teaching Podcast


                                            • Today’s Guest
                                              Nicola Cantan is a piano teacher, author, blogger, and creator of imaginative and engaging teaching resources. She loves getting piano students learning through laughter, and exploring the diverse world of music making through improvisation, composition and games. Nicola’s Vibrant Music Teaching membership site is helping teachers all over the world to include more games and off-bench activities in their lessons.
                                              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.
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                                              The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' PodcastBy Tim Topham

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