PPP081: March Photo Challenge

March Photo Challenge – but first, an introduction

Being a podcaster, I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you that I enjoy listening to lots of podcasts. Lately, I’ve been bingeing on James Clear. Although James is not a podcaster, (he’s a blogger and you can find him at JamesClear.com AFTER you finish listening to my podcast!) he is invited to guest on many podcasts, especially those about productivity, habits, fitness, and entrepreneuring.

One podcast I listened to the other day focused on one of James’ blog articles, “The Difference Between Professionals and Amateurs.” You can read the whole article here. He starts the article with this paragraph:

I’ve started to notice (partially because of my own failures), that there is one skill that is so valuable that it will make you a standout in any area of life, no matter what kind of competition you face.

Then James spends some time setting up a great storyline to draw the reader into his article and wonder, “What is that one skill that is so valuable that it will make you a standout in any area of life?” For the purposes of my podcast, and because I’ve read the article, I will jump ahead and give you the answer.

The ability to show up every day, stick to the schedule, and do the work — especially when you don’t feel like it — is so valuable that it is literally all you need to become better 99% of the time.

This is great Shelly, but what does it have to do with my piano kid and a March Photo Challenge??

One of the biggest challenges piano parents face is motivating their piano kid to get to the piano to practice.

For a child to succeed at piano, they must follow James’ advice. They must show up every day, stick to the schedule, and do the work.

James Clear admits that he wouldn’t have become a blogger if he hadn’t committed to posting a blog post on a consistent basis. He chose to write every Monday and Thursday. He didn’t write only if he felt motivated. He wrote because it was scheduled and he was committed.

I have found the same thing to be true with my podcast. If I had only learned about podcasting and dreamed about podcasting and thought about doing it one day, that day would have never arrived. Instead, I determined to publish a podcast every Monday. Some are better than others but I am learning as I go and making gradual improvements. (It used to take me two or three hours to edit a 30-minute episode!!)

I learned how to podcast by watching Pat Flynn’s free YouTube Tutorial “How to Start a Podcast”.

Do you have a topic you’d like me to cover on the podcast? Please let me know about it in the comments section or by emailing me shelly@pianoparentpodcast.com.

The same thing is true for your piano kid. They will learn to play the piano by playing the piano. The problem is that sometimes telling them to go practice is met with reluctance if not outright resistance. That’s where the March Photo Challenge can help.

The March Photo Challenge can give you and your piano kid a new, fun reason to get to the piano

The various prompts that Dawn Ivers and I put together will give your child a new incentive to sit down at the piano. They will also spark some ideas for creativity. Here are a few ideas for some of the prompts.

Day 20 – Lento (a musical term indicating a slow tempo) you can photograph part of your child’s music indicating to play slowly or you could think outside the box and take a photo of a turtle or a snail.

Day 1 – Piano Practice Space This is a great prompt for piano teachers to request of their students. You can learn a lot about why a student isn’t progressing by taking a look at their practice space. If they have a portable keyboard that rests on the floor, no wonder they aren’t interested in practicing! Crouching down on the floor can get very old very quickly. Even acoustic pianos can be in poor working order and a photo will help you know the condition of the student’s piano so you can advise the parents if a replacement is needed.

Day 8 – Teacher & Me Selfie This one is just plain cute!

Day 6 – Piano Hands Photo Another excellent way to let your piano teacher know how your child is practicing at home or to show your piano kid that they are not using their hands as efficiently as they should be. If your child is playing with straight, stiff fingers they are creating tension that could result in pain or injury. Who wants to practice under those conditions?

I hope you will take advantage of this fun practice/photo challenge for the month of March. You can share your pictures and see other fun photos on Facebook and Instagram by searching #MarchPhotoChallenge.

Thank you to the following new subscribers to the website: Sanja, Rachelle, and Andrea. I’m glad you’re here!

Thank you, too, to kirb6543 for the kind review on iTunes, “This show is full of essential information for piano parents or parents of any child studying music.”

Shout out this week to my husband, Duane, who celebrates his birthday tomorrow, February 27. You can wish Duane a happy birthday in the comments below.

Duane has volunteered himself as a piano parent interviewee but I’m nervous about what he would say about his daughter’s teacher! What do you think? Should I interview Duane for the podcast?