What does a good teacher look like? What should we look for when  we evaluate a teacher or how effective a lesson is? This episode looks at 7 different categories of teaching descriptors and what items we should consider when evaluating how well a teacher is teaching? Parents can learn quite a bit about being … Continue reading "124 TSP What Does a Good Teacher Look Like?"

Parents may need help understanding how they can be effective practice partners with their children. This episode looks at how parents can use various performance descriptors to guide a parent/student practice at home. These descriptors give examples of how parents and students can evaluate performances, whether by the student or another performer. I am offering … Continue reading "123 TSP What Do You See?"

Have you attended a Suzuki Institute yet? Do you wonder what benefit might come from going to an Institute? This episode shares the major benefits of attending a Suzuki Institute from the perspectives of a child, parent, and teacher. Find out how you can tap into the powerful benefits of an Suzuki Institute experience. I … Continue reading "122 TSP Meet Me At Institute!"

Motivation and inspiration can be found by priming the pump. How does that work? I mentioned other podcast episodes about motivation and a calendar planning form that I developed for my own use: Let’s Build Momentum Motivation Instead of Irritation (Reflection) Today Calendar Form I am offering a special discount to purchase my book, The Twinkle … Continue reading "121 TSP Prime the Pump"

How can we help our students and their parents memorize the pieces that the students are studying? Today’s episode offers some ideas to help a student’s memorization process. Here are some of the resources mentioned in the podcast episode: 8 Abilities Developed by Talent Education (podcast episode 52) Why Are We Doing This? (blog article about 8 … Continue reading "120 TSP Pass the Butter Please, Thank You"

I once told a university class that, “Life is like a VCR.” I helped to foster an interesting class discussion that day. One of my favorite VCR buttons is the “reset” button. Today’s episode discusses how to hit your own reset button. I mentioned a few items that I find useful in my teaching studio … Continue reading "119 TSP The Reset Button"

Dr. Suzuki said, “The real heart of a parent is prayerful.” What does this statement mean? How can a parent “whisper the hopes of your heart”? If you have a comment or suggestion, you can leave me a voice message on my voicemail line at 512-537-6356 or send me an email at [email protected]. For more … Continue reading "Reflections — The Circle of Prayer"

It is hard to keep things simple. In today’s world of competing interests that demand complexity in discussion and decision, how are we to make decisions that are simple and effective? Today’s episode discusses one simple idea that Dr. Suzuki suggested to approach music and musical instrument learning. I include other ideas of ways to … Continue reading "118 TSP Keep Things Simple"

When your child returns to school in the fall and reports about his or her summer vacation experience, what will he or she say? Today’s episode looks a little closer at two particular summer music experiences and the excellent benefits that each would offer to music students. If you are interested in other summer activities, … Continue reading "117 TSP What Did You Do During Summer Vacation?"

Dr. Suzuki said, “Man is the son of his environment.” How can we build the right environment? This episode looks at the physical and psychological aspects of environment and visits several ideas about improving both aspects. The episode talked about a special visual clock timer that I use in my studio and home. (I use … Continue reading "116 TSP Building the Right Environment"