In last week’s episode (232 TSP What Did You Expect?), I talked about how Dr. Suuki encourages self-reflection to create expectation and intention. In this episode, I talk about a mid-month review journaling strategy to celebrate achievements, adjust or drop projects, set priorities, take care of financial responsibilities, and recapture lost proje…

In last week’s episode (231 TSP Tweaking Your One Percent) I discussed how to tweak your one percent to make progress into a habit and different way of thinking. This episode 232 is an example of how to use Dr. Suzuki’s recommendation about journaling and self-reflection to examine our lives, beliefs, and assumptions. If you … Continue reading "232…

In a previous episode (230), we discussed the tool of strategy journaling to solve problems quickly to provide to continue making progress. In today’s episode, which was recorded sometime in the summer/fall of 2021, I discuss how to tweak your one percent — a fascinating way of looking at making progress into a habit and … Continue reading "231 TSP…

In a previous episode, we discussed the power of journaling as a tool for reflection about our life, relationships, and learning journey. Today we discussed the tool of strategy journaling to solve problems quickly to provide a path to continue making progress. We also discuss a quote from Dr. Suzuki about the environment we create … Continue readi…

Have you pushed the Magic Listening Button and turned on your super ability to learn thoroughly and quickly? Recently Ian and I discussed at length about how we have experimented with listening techniques and strategies. We also shared some of our favorite recordings of various musical styles, including a jazz/swing rendition of the Bach double … C…

Today I share one of many conversations that I have had with a wonderful young man, who performs and teaches and has recently formally joined the Suzuki teaching community. Ian Lee studied violin with me for almost a decade and currently performs professionally. We have shared our thoughts about numerous deep topics related to music, … Continue rea…

How we think about something can yield an experience that is productive or inefficient. Let me introduce you to the art of magic questions. When we ask ourselves a magic question, we find amazing guidance in how we can practice effectively or learn and understand something on a deeper level. Resources In the episode, I mentioned … Continue reading …

The new year hit me a little harder than I expected, and I have found it to be a little tough going forward. This episode will explain. I recorded it a few weeks ago but have not been ready to publish it until now. With this episode, I intend to move forward and continue with … Continue reading "226 TSP Tough Going" The post 226 TSP Tough Going app…

Welcome 2021! Set goals by reflecting on the past year using the protocol set out in Jinny Ditzler’s book, Your Best Year Yet! Today’s part 2 episode looks at the remaining six questions. Join me and uncover the lessons you can take away from your past year. New Year Discount for Two Teaching Books To celebrate the … Continue reading "225 TSP Let’s…

Goodbye, 2020! At the start of a new year, I find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on my past year using the protocol set out in Jinny Ditzler’s book, Your Best Year Yet! Today’s episode is part 1 of 2 and visits the first four questions. I share my past year and encourage you to … Continue reading "224 TSP Let’s Prepare for Our Best Year Y…

We are nearing the end of a trying and surprising year. In this episode, I begin to prepare for the coming new year. I invite you to join me the next few weeks as I explore useful tools for reflection and planning that will help us to come to grips with the tatters of 2020. … Continue reading "223 TSP Coming to the End" The post 223 TSP Coming to t…

Today I discuss a difficult teacher-parent conversation. How can we get going again when we struggle with a difficult schedule and practice period? What we need to do is simple enough, but it is also easy NOT to do. Here are some things we can do to get going again. How about buying me a … Continue reading "222 TSP Let’s Get Going Again!" The post …

Today’s episode offers 7 quick tips to bring fun to a practice slump, from using costumes and theme days to choosing which side of the student to sit. Practice tools might include dice, hats, practice charts, and glass jars and be as simple as developing a basic practice routine. I also introduce the concept of … Continue reading "221 TSP 7 Quick T…

At the end of the summer, I interviewed Dr. Shu-Yi Scott about her Release Tension Workshop for teachers. During our discussion, Shu-Yi also shared some of her many ideas about teaching lessons and group classes online, as well as workshops and special learning camp programs for rhythm, music history and appreciation, and releasing tension. Shu-Yi …

I interviewed Brecklyn Ferrin (Plucky Violin Teacher blog & Suzuki Planet Podcast) about Boundaries. I was surprised by the depth of our conversation as we shared our boundary experiences in the teaching studio. This conversation will be especially helpful as we begin our studio journeys this fall. Resources Mentioned in the Episode The Plucky Viol…

Join me for an interview with David Cutler about his Super Nova project, an exciting addition to Suzuki repertoire accompaniments. Our conversation sparked all sorts of ideas about designing the future and creative performance practices. How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast How about buying me a cup of coffee? If you want … Continue r…

Join me as I explain a powerful exercise in reflection. I recently completed this exercise, and I gained clarity, hope, and peace for the future. Additional Resources Here are links to the resources mentioned in the episode. Note that some links are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase these items using the links … Continue reading "21…

What does being intentional have to do with teaching or performing? Today’s episode looks at what being intentional means, why it is important, and how to create more of it. How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast How about buying me a cup of coffee? If you want to show your appreciation and … Continue reading "216 TSP Being Intentional"…

Many pr0blems may result from glitches in our time management system. Today’s episode discusses a few ideas that may be helpful to steer us onto a more productive course. How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast How about buying me a cup of coffee? If you want to show your appreciation and encouragement … Continue reading "215 TSP The Col…

Parents face tough decisions about school this fall 2020. In today’s episode, I interview Matthew Stephens about his company Essentials in Writing and for advice regarding homeschooling. Matthew also provided links and suggestions to find out further information about this topic in order to guide parents who are considering what decisions to make r…

Small daily actions can be crucial for building successful habits and routines but may seem too inconsequential for keeping track of them in a larger sense In today’s episode I discuss the value of a simple daily card to remind us of important lifestyle choices. How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast How … Continue reading "213 TSP The …

We can find ways to relate our teaching points to things that are familiar to our students. We use four things a lot in my studio: insects, birds, critters, and the four corner dance. Today’s episode may help spark more creativity and add more fun to your own lessons and practices. How to Encourage the … Continue reading "212 TSP Insects and Birds …

Are we asking ourselves the right questions and relying on correct and valid assumptions about the future right now? Today I discuss how we can question ourselves and create an even better vision and course of action for the future as teachers, parents, and students. I discuss five important areas that I want to provide … Continue reading "211 TSP …

Can one tiny thing really make a difference? Perhaps not in the moment, but if done consistently over a period of time, it can cause valuable change. How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast How about buying me a cup of coffee? If you want to show your appreciation and encouragement for the … Continue reading "210 TSP One Tiny Thing" The …

I am doing many things in a different way during this distance learning and online teaching situation. What works? What do I want to keep doing? This episode talks about the top three things that I am doing, whether I want to continue to do them, and why. Other Resources I mentioned a new tool … Continue reading "209 TSP What Am I Doing Differently…

So much is happening right now and so quickly! In this podcast episode, I list three areas where I watch to recognize the signs: depression, confusion, and frustration. There are also signs that may indicate a reaction to a community trauma and crisis fatigue. I share these signs and their significance to our teaching and … Continue reading "208 TS…

How do we restructure our routines or habits to be more effective teachers, students, or parents? I share my technique of “Theme Days” to keep focused on accomplishing my goals and accomplishments. I also share a simple technique (Rule of 5) to help parents and teachers create effective practice and lesson plans. How to Encourage … Continue reading…

Difficulty and struggle reveal our character. Now is a time to reflect on a lot of things: what’s happening, what will happen, how we should respond, and what we should focus on. Now more than any other time in our lives do we need to focus on what’s important and what happens next. Thank you … Continue reading "206 TSP What’s Important is What’s N…

The world has changed a lot since the last podcast episode was submitted for broadcast. Let’s talk about the impact and how it may affect teachers and parents, and our students and children. Book Giveaway Event (3/15/2020 submission deadline) I am celebrating the official 200th episode of the podcast, published a few weeks ago. To … Continue readin…

“Man is the son of his Environment,” Dr. Suzuki said. Our environment influences many aspects of what we do and how we relate to our world. How do we manage our environment to contribute positively to our teaching, learning, and parenting? How do we use our environment to enhance our ability and skill development? Book … Continue reading "204 TSP C…

“What did you say?” This has been a crazy week to hear the things that students and sometimes parents have said. I want to revisit the topic of how important our language choices are and to suggest a few ideas for making us more aware of our language and how to change it in positive … Continue reading "203 TSP What Did You Say?" The post 203 TSP Wh…

Whenever I start new students, I like to revisit how I include these new students and their families in the studio. This episode discusses the things that I think are important to share with new studio parents. I am celebrating the official 200th episode of the podcast, published a few weeks ago. To celebrate this … Continue reading "202 TSP Let’s …

How do you solve problems? What steps do you need to take to identify, solve, and evaluate problems? How do you teach problem-solving skills to students or children? Last week’s episode was the official 200th episode of the podcast. To celebrate this 4-year milestone, I am offering a giveaway of the English version of the … Continue reading "201 TS…

What does parenting style have to do with effective teaching and parenting? In order to answer that question, we merely have to ask: who should be in charge? Today’s episode looks closer at the issue of what happens when a parent answers that question with different answers. Today’s episode is the official 200th episode of … Continue reading "200 T…

We have reached the second month of the new year. Are you where you wanted or expected to be? Today’s episode will give you three action steps to take to bring you closer to where you wanted or expected to be. Resources New Year, New Ideas (podcast episode about using a journaling tool) Journaling Ideas & … Continue reading "199 TSP Where Do You Wa…

Today’s episode visits an issue that plagues many parents and teachers: an over-scheduled life filled with more activities than can be comfortably experienced and enjoyed. Resources Can You See It? | Intention and Vision (episode 147) Three Steps for Success | P-L-S (episode 144) Simple 4-Part Plan | Start the New Year Successfully (episode 93) How…

I challenge parents to stop hugging the wall. I challenge them to avoid giving in, giving up, or giving out. If we do that, then we can accomplish big things. Today’s episode discusses why and how we can do that. Resources Break Free From Limiting Beliefs (podcast episode 163) Lessons From Marathon Training (podcast episode 188) Practice … Continue…

Interruptions and holiday breaks are inevitable, but we can get our practice routines started again with these ten simple tips. Resources episode 195: includes a discussion about the why-how-done analysis Now Hear This (Great Performances Video) [Some of these links may be Amazon Affiliate links, which means that if you were to use these links … Co…

Happy New Year! Today’s episode discusses an important tool that will help you to engage with your life and work, bring you opportunities to enjoy peace and relaxation, and bring your life into focus and offer clarity. Resources If you are interested in a collection of journaling questions, prompts, and ideas that I use in … Continue reading "195 T…

We are nearing the end of 2019. It’s time to do an annual review. In an earlier episode (140), I discussed several tools that I find helpful when doing an annual review. I focus time on the Best Year Yet! method as outlined by Jinny Ditzler in her book. I also discuss some valuable tools that I … Continue reading "194 TSP End of Year Planning" The …

One of the biggest struggles I have in my teaching studio is how to engage students to embrace, adopt, and enjoy the process of practicing slowly. Today’s episode demonstrates and discusses my process of evaluating my sound production while practicing s-l-o-w-l-y. Other resources Practice Challenges (episode 192): this episode discusses how to buil…

This episode discusses an idea for developing practice challenges for ourselves. In this episode, I discuss how I used the idea of a practice challenge to work through a rehabilitation of a left-hand injury. I also discuss how these types of challenges can be created to address other issues such as consistency. Other resources This … Continue readi…

Today’s episode discusses an important part of our year and how we think about our future. During this holiday season, we can slow our pace to allow us to create mental space to clarify our priorities. How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast Buy The Twinkle Project You can support the blog and podcast … Continue reading "191 TSP Holiday …

Here are some very important words. We are important. Because we are important, how we act, what we do, and what we say matters. Today’s episode reminds us of why it is important to remember this at all times, whether we are teachers, parents, or students. Other Resources Plucky Violin Teacher (Brecklyn Ferrin) SAA Building … Continue reading "190 …

Today’s episode looks at the subject of “teacher triage” and how a teacher might wade through student issues during a lesson. The medical community uses the word “triage” to assess the order of treatment based on the degrees of urgency to wounds or illnesses. How could a teacher develop a triage system to assist the … Continue reading "189 TSP Pebb…

What does marathon training have to do with learning how to play a musical instrument? Teachers can gather many ideas that are similar to the lessons learned from training and running a marathon. Other Resources Hal Higdon’s Novice Marathon Training Plan (website) Marathon by Hal Higdon Marathon by Jeff Galloway [I am an Amazon Associate and the … …

How does one live life to the fullest? How does one stay grounded while surrounded by life’s distractions? Today’s episode talks about one useful tool and an exercise that helps us to foster and reflect on developing character principles. Other Resources My A9 Blueline Journal The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron The Daily Stoic by Ryan … Continue rea…

Teachers and parents spend a great deal of time and effort to get students and children to concentrate and focus. A child may look as if he or she is paying attention to us, but we may find out later that the child is not. Today’s episode looks at ideas to help students and children … Continue reading "186 TSP Pay Attention to Me! | Self-Management…

Music teachers and parents of students who study music and develop the skills to play musical instruments need to focus on some crucial habits in order to succeed. Here are my five suggested habits for music teachers and parents too. Other Resources Habits of Highly Effective Suzuki Teachers & Parents (podcast) Excellence is a Habit (podcast) Three…

When you go on a trip, before you pull the car out of your driveway, you need to know where you are going. Today’s episode talks about the importance of defining your mission statement to design your life. Other Resources 7 Habits Card Deck Habits of Highly Effective Suzuki Teachers & Parents (podcast) Habit 2: Begin … Continue reading "184 TSP Def…