Tag: Teaching articles

I Get By with a Little Help from AI

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Written by Laura Dean and Chat GPT

I just submitted this article to the Clarion, the bi-monthly publication of the Washington State Music Teacher’s Association, and I thought my readers may find it interesting. By the way, this is the first article I have written with the help of openAI.

Have any of you dipped your toe into the world of Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI?  I have. I have used AI to generate a set list for a Gen Z couple who hired me to play for their wedding ceremony and the cocktail hour. I’ve used it to create a short narrative about the major musical time periods for a concert that I’ve given featuring  composers from the Baroque to  the 21st Century. I’ve use it to find weekly music riddles for my students that I write on a white board at the entrance of my studio. I have embraced  ChatGPT  as a personal administrative and research assistant  who is available to answer my requests 24/7. AI has  saved me hours of time and energy, and I think we can all agree that time and energy are among our greatest resources. 

 AI is rapidly becoming a valuable tool for independent music teachers. While some educators may feel hesitant to embrace technology, AI can simplify many aspects of studio management and instruction. Here are a few practical ways AI can enhance your work life while saving hours of labor.

1. Music Theory Assistance

AI-powered chat tools like ChatGPT can generate explanations, exercises, and quizzes tailored to your students’ needs. If a student is struggling with key signatures, AI can instantly create customized drills or explain concepts in new ways.

2. Music History Insights

Need a quick historical background on a composer or musical style? AI can summarize key information, suggest repertoire based on a student’s interests, or even help craft engaging storytelling for lessons.

3. Organizing Your Busy Schedule

AI can help structure your week by generating lesson plans, reminders, and task lists. Tools like Google Calendar’s AI scheduling suggestions or Notion AI can assist in balancing teaching, practice time, and administrative tasks. AI-generated to-do lists can prioritize important tasks, for example, aiding in recital planning, student follow-ups, and lesson prep. 

4. Project & Recital Planning

AI can assist in creating structured project plans, timelines, and even recital programs. Tools like Notion AI or ChatGPT can generate theme ideas, student progress checklists, and repertoire suggestions based on difficulty level and performance goals.

5. Marketing & Social Media

For teachers looking to grow their studios, AI can help generate website content, write engaging social media posts, or draft newsletters. Canva’s Magic Write and ChatGPT can quickly create compelling descriptions for lessons, events, or studio promotions.

Getting Started with AI

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is available for free at https://chat.openai.com, with enhanced features available through a paid subscription. Other AI tools, such as Google’s Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, offer similar capabilities.

Embracing AI doesn’t mean replacing the human touch in teaching—it simply enhances our ability to be more efficient, creative, and responsive to students’ needs. By incorporating AI thoughtfully, independent music teachers can spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on what truly matters: making music. 

Now excuse me, what with all the time that I saved co-writing this article with ChatGPT, I’m stepping out for a long leisurely walk.

By the way, is 2025 the year that you’ve promised yourself that you are going to learn how to play the piano? You may be interested in checking out my online beginning piano course:

PLEASE VISIT ME ON TEACHABLE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SIGN UP FOR  PLAY PIANO TODAY COURSE: AN INTRODUCTORY PIANO COURSE.

More news…I have a newish Youtube channel, and here you can find weekly videos including piano performances and piano tutorials. Be sure to subscribe on the Youtube site! I release a new video each week! https://www.youtube.com/@lauramusicstudio

Creating a Studio Community

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From an article I wrote for the Seattle Music Teacher’s Staccato Notes, November 2015

Keeping It Light (Leggiero)

by Laura Dean, NCTM

Building a Studio Community

After the recital, a group of students, ages 5 through 18, lingered at the piano. They took turns singing and playing while parents visited and remarked how delighted they are the kids are having such a wonderful time with their music lessons. Other students munched on refreshments, wrote on the black light wall, and joked together as our recital reception came to a close. This is the scene at my last studio recital held in an interesting venue which lends itself to a festive event. Many of these students and families have been with me for over a decade. This leads to the question: How can you build a strong studio community that keeps students coming back year after year?   

Here are a few ideas that have stood the test of time from my studio.

  1. The Photo Door. Every fall, I create a new photo display on the door of the studio featuring each student and a particular theme. This year, I purchased a bag of photo booth disguises, and students chose which disguise to use as they posed for their photo.  Currently, the door is filled with adorable photos of students sporting cardboard crowns, beards, mustaches, bow ties, and top hats. The students look forward to the new picture wall every year, the door reminds them they are not alone, that all of these other students are also taking lessons.
  1. The Birthday Song. When a birthday rolls around, students receive a piece of sheet music of their choosing. I use http://www.musicnotes.com. They usually select a pop favorite, rock classic, movie theme, or something from a video game.  The website allows us to print a one page sample which helps us determine if the student can technically handle the piece.  We make the final decision and with a click of the mouse, we download the song and instantly start to work on it. FUN!
  1. The Sing-Along.  If you’ve ever listened to A Prairie Home Companion, you know the joy and power of the group sing-along. Garrison Keillor (my hero), is a master at leading the sing-along.  All of our recitals either begin or end with a group sing-along.  I print the lyrics on the back of the program and everyone joins in. We’ve sung a variety of songs from Amazing Grace, to Moon River, to We Will Rock You. Parents and students know this is part of the show and everyone looks forward to it. (Think of guests on the Ellen Degeneres Show who know they are going to dance as part of the gig.)
  1. The Theme Recital.  Each December, we play a recital featuring traditional solo piano repertoire from the major time periods. In the Spring, we produce a recital with a different theme each year.  Examples of past themes include: Jazz Standards, Movie Themes, The Beatles, Rock Classics, and Broadway Musicals. This is a real hit and lends itself to creative programming that delights both the performers and the audience.
  1. Mini music camps: In the summer and during vacations, I often offer mini camps (with a maximum of 6 students),  with emphasis on learning something outside of the usual curriculum such as Beginning Guitar for Piano Players, Finding Your Singing Voice, and Composition. This offers students a chance to get to know each other and to explore a new way of making music.

A little thought, planning, and creativity goes a long way to building a strong studio community.  This strong community means students and parents are likely to be committed to their music lessons for the long run. Now, how about a quick trip to Display and Costume to pick up some student disguises?