Tony Parlapiano is a piano instructor and the creator of popMATICS, a concept based music curriculum that approaches learning by listening and reading through writing. Tony resides in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, where he enjoys fancy coffee, playing in spreadsheets, and carries a copy of his birth certificate for anyone who questions the authenticity of his last name.
We first chatted with Tony in PPP127: Teacher Chat: Popular Music Styles with Stephen Hughes and Tony Parlapiano and we are delighted to have him back on the show.
Listen to the full episode here
Tell us your piano story.
I was late to the piano. I started with the public school band program in 4th grade. I went to college, thinking I’d become a high school band director. I started playing piano during my second year of college and quickly hooked up with some bands. I was working retail for a small mom and pop music shop and sold a Clavinova to a lady who insisted I teach her daughter. That was my first travel student, and she spread the word in a small town where I still teach today. By the time I graduated from college, I had a full studio.
Were you a good student?
I didn’t have private instruction on the piano until my second year of college. I was engaged during lessons because I liked the experience, and my teachers were cool, but I rarely practiced what they asked.
What is one thing you often say to your piano students?
This melody only has three notes, you don’t need to use crossover fingerings (haha just kidding). My favorite is this: “The only difference between you and me is that I’ve been doing this longer.”
Tell us about the parents in your studio who are the most helpful for their children. How do they help them or work with them?
I ask two things of my piano parents.
1. Ask your child what they learned in their lessons.
2. Tell your child you love listening to them play.
I do not want my parents helping with practice. My students don’t need that. I teach students how to learn and how to work. I only ask them to practice things they can already play well in class, setting them up for success, week after week. Through enough lesson experiences, they build confidence, gain independence, and will begin to move forward without waiting for instructions (self-directed learning).
What keeps you motivated as a teacher? What is your Teacher Superpower?
The simple answer is I like music. I think creating materials has significantly contributed to my enthusiasm as an instructor. My superpower is connecting with my student’s interest, finding the teachable moments within the songs they know and love, and creating or modifying arrangments to make them accessible.
What was one of your favorite songs you learned as a student? What made you feel like a musician?
I remember being pleased when I could play sections one and two of Maple Leaf Rag. I now realize how unimpressive that is, but it was a big deal to me at the time. It was one of the first songs I tried to teach myself from written music.
Tell us about an app or technology that you find useful in your teaching.
Amazing Slow Downer – It’s an application that allows you to alter the tempo and pitch of recordings. It can be helpful for students to catch the details in the songs they’re learning by listening. It also allows you to loop sections easily. However, my general goal is to use as little tech as possible.
If you could visit with any composer or musician who would you choose and why?
Bruce Hornsby – He was my earliest influence and source of inspiration. There’s a neat connection to my childhood that I didn’t realize until many years later — kind of a wild story. I begged my mom to buy me a cassette in the grocery store as a kid because I liked the cover. I also just liked seeing if I could get my mom to buy me stuff. I’m not even sure if I listened to the album. It wasn’t until 12 years later when I got really into Bruce, and I saw the album cover again and realized I already owned the cassette. I’ve seen him live more than any other artist.
I’d also love to meet M. Ward, but no one will know who he is. He is my favorite modern-day, guitar-based singer-songwriter.
What is the best way for potential students to get in touch with you?
You can connect with Tony on his developing website, popMATICS.
You might also enjoy subscribing to his YouTube channel.
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
PPP127: Teacher Chat – Popular Music Styles with Stephen Hughes and Tony Parlapiano
PiPaPod Interview 041 with Clinton Pratt
Supersonics by Daniel McFarlane
Teachers might enjoy connecting with Tony in the PopMATICS 101 Facebook Group.
Thanks for listening!
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