Rhythm pattern cards are a great way to teach new rhythmic concepts, reinforce familiar patterns, and build that all-important musical vocabulary (the ability to understand and create your own musical patterns and sequences).

I’ve found that having a few sets of rhythm pattern cards on hand can be so helpful in teaching to capture the attention of young learners and help them grasp new concepts (and have fun while doing it!).

Today, I’m sharing 10 fun ways you can use rhythm pattern cards in your teaching. I hope you find a few new ideas on this list!

For show notes + full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

Free Rhythm Pattern Card Set - a printable set of 16 rhythm patterns cards in 4/4 time

Rhythm Pattern Card Set - a printable set of six rhythm pattern card sets in duple and triple meters (192 patterns total)

Decide Now! app + how I use it in my teaching

Rhythm Train Cards by Color in My Piano

Rhythm Clock game demonstration by Fun Music Company

Rollin’ Rhythms game board by Teach Piano Today

Rhythm Go Fish on Teachers Pay Teachers

Body Percussion Rhythm by Let’s Play Music

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Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

Last week, in Episode 6, I talked about four things I’m doing differently in my piano studio this year.

Today, I want to take a step back and tell you a story about one of my teachers. She wasn’t my first teacher—in fact, she was one of my last teachers—but she was the woman who taught me how to overcome my fears, play with power and control, develop my own interpretation, and understand music and artistry at the piano in a whole new way.

And in some ways, that meant starting at the very beginning…

For show notes + a full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some of these links.

Episode 006 - Four Things I’m Doing Differently in My Studio This Year

Italian Concerto by J.S. Bach

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Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

No matter how many years I teach, I always feel the same excitement around a fresh start and trying new things. There are certain parts of my routine that I like coming back to—things I like to keep the same—but there are always a few things I’m ready to change in my teaching when the new year rolls around.

I've learned a few things over the past few years and asking the questions, “What’s working?” and “What’s not working?” always provides a sense of clarity on what I can change and how I can improve things in the year ahead. I’m trying a few new things in my studio this year and today, I want to share them with you.

For show notes + a full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

Wave Invoicing - a free online tool for sending invoices, receiving payments, and keeping up with basic bookkeeping

12 Supplemental Piano Books for Elementary Students

The Piano Syllabus (2015 Edition) by Royal Conservatory of Music / Music Development Program

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Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

You know the feeling:

Lackluster.
Laborious.
Boring.
Same old, same old.

It’s easy to slip into a rut in rehearsals from time to time, but I think we can all agree: it’s not a great feeling.

Feel like your rehearsals have gotten a bit monotonous lately? Here are a few reasons why this may be happening, plus some helpful strategies for getting out of that rut and back to making music with creativity and enthusiasm.

For show notes + a full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

50 Awesome Choral Warm-Ups for Church Choirs - free eBook

My Step-By-Step Process for Rehearsing a New Anthem

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Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

Think about some of the great teachers you’ve observed or had the pleasure of working with throughout your life. What made them great? What separates them in your mind from other teachers you’ve had?

One thing that I’ve noticed is that exceptional teachers have an innate ability to inspire and motivate those they teach. Their focus is not on the content, curriculum, or goals that they’ve set for the year, but rather on the individual learner—where they are and what’s important to them.

Today, I’m sharing three ways to inspire and motivate your students to help them grow and reach their full potential.

For show notes + a full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

Ways to Praise: Words That Inspire, Encourage, and Motivate

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Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

A few years ago, I finally got around to reading a book that was on my to-read list for a few years: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink. The book is based on scientific research by people like Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, Carol Dweck, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, among others, and provides insight into the role of motivation in our lives.

Here are my three biggest takeaways.

For show notes + a full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some of these links.

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review in Apple Podcasts >>

Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

Julia Child once said, "You’ll never know everything about anything, especially something you love."

So true, right? The world is constantly changing and evolving and we need to be constantly changing, adapting, learning, and evolving along with it to be the best teachers we can be.

Here are eight things you can do to continue developing your teaching skills this year.

For show notes + a full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some of these links.

Teaching reflection checklist from a Growing in Grace session at the Alleluia Conference

Choristers Guild

Four Reasons Why Playing Your Instrument for Fun is Vital to Your Music Career

The Art of Music Teaching & Learning - an online course for music educators

Spruce Up Your Teaching Routine With This Fun App (+ Creative Ways to Use It!)

An Inside Look at My Creative Process

Toggl - a free time-tracking tool

Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives

The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind

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Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

I love setting goals, specifically ones that are intentional and strategic, and help me become a better version of myself; goals that have a purpose and a “why” behind them.

Today, I want to talk about goal-setting in the context of our work as musicians and educators. Here are three questions to help you find clarity and direction this year.

For show notes + a full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

2020 Goal Setting series by Lara Casey

Plan Your Life Without Becoming a Robot - free 4-day mini-course by Kendra of The Lazy Genius Collective

Teaching Reflection Workbook - a free printable

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Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew