I first met Beth Horton in the exhibit hall at the Texas Music Teachers Convention one summer. We were instant friends. I think anyone who meets Beth feels that way because she has a knack for helping you drop the awkward formalities that occur when you first get acquainted with someone.
I had to visit with her to learn more about her teaching style and learn how she interacts with her students.
Listen to the full episode here
Tell us your piano story
Beth’s older sister started lessons when she was in first grade. Beth wanted to take lessons, too but was too young so she decided to conduct her own pretend lessons. Her parents did let her begin lessons when she started first grade just like her sister.
Having to change teachers as her family moved to various locations, gave Beth the opportunity to learn lots of piano playing styles as well as different teaching styles.
She eventually studied with her own mother who is still a piano teacher. They enjoy talking shop together.
In college, Beth completed her instrumental music education degree and worked as a band director for eight years.
When she changed careers to follow her passion for teaching piano, she became a traveling teacher and taught in her student’s homes. She met the demand of the Austin community at that time.
Since then, Beth has relocated to Lubbock where she teaches in a studio, travels to student’s homes, and still maintains a relationship with many of her Austin students through online lessons. She has also hired two additional teachers, Ben and Emily, who continue to work with students through her Sharing the Love of Music Studio.
What is something you often say to your piano students?
If Beth needs to interrupt a student as they are playing because they haven’t noticed the key signature or aren’t counting or they are in the wrong place on the keyboard, she will say, “Hold the phone, Batman!”
This is a lighthearted way to redirect her student.
As a teacher, Beth knows she must correct mistakes and help students stay on track but she doesn’t want them to ever feel like they are being picked on.
She might say, “Holy half note, Batman!” What fun!!
At the end of every lesson, Beth asks her students for “Questions, comments, concerns……emotional outbursts?!” She credits her college baritone professor, Dr. Dennis Askew, with this fun way to allow students to share their thoughts and give closure to the lesson.
Tell us about the most helpful parents in your studio
Beth says her top-notch parents are the ones who simply love to hear their kids play. They are not bothered or annoyed by loads of repetitions of the simplest songs.
These parents are also able to positively encourage practice without it becoming a punishment or isolation. They praise their kids for their efforts.
What is your teacher superpower?
Beth works very hard to make sure everything she says to her students is honest but also positive. Students need adults who are going to be honest with them. That starts with having a good rapport and knowing the right tactic for each student.
Beth uses the positivity sandwich: say something positive, share constructive criticism, end with something positive.
What was the song that made you feel like a real piano player?
“What the Saints Go Marching In!” She felt so impressive playing both hands with chords flying! She thought she was amazing!
[Mini Shelly Sidebar: Duane surprised me with tickets to see Harry Connick, Jr. in Shreveport, Louisiana last Christmas. Harry closed the show with an old-fashioned New Orleans style procession of “When the Saints”. I tried to take a video while I was there but got in trouble with an usher. 🙁 As I was searching for a video to share Beth’s song, I found this video of the same concert tour in South Carolina. What a great show!]
She also enjoyed Solfegietto and Fur Elise. (1,000 bonus points if you can tell me where the wrong note is played in this Solfegietto video.)
Some of these pieces are so iconic that parents want their children to play them before they have mastered the ability to do so.
Be patient, Parent, and trust your teacher. Your child will be able to play these pieces before you know it. Sit back and enjoy the journey.
Which composer would you like to visit?
The top of the list, especially from her band directing days, are Elgar and Smetana. She enjoys the nationalistic composers who so skillfully included the folk music of their country in their works.
Beth also loves the idea of music that tells a story. She remembers her mother playing the CD of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade”
Here are Beth’s recommendations of music piano kids to check out:
Kevin Olson, especially his “Perfect Start to Note Reading” books.
Words of Encouragement for Piano Parents
Keep it positive.
Encourage them.
Be excited about the new challenges your piano kid will face.
Love to listen to your child play.
Get in touch with Beth
Sharing the love of music is a long website address but it is what Beth hopes to share every day.
Thanks for sharing your love of music with us today, Beth!
Thanks for listening!
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