Key Ideas

What’s the Big Deal about Off the Bench when On the Bench is what Really Matters?

Off Bench time is a label for three types or parts of a lesson:

• #1 A designated time before, during, or after a lesson where students complete assignments off the bench
• #2 Any time spent doing a purposeful activity that engages the body beyond the fingers on the keys
• #3 Any time spent completing activities that involve tactile or tech-savvy tools

Here’s the backstory of why I’ve been passionate about the Off Bench definition #2 for decades.

Without revealing my exact age you’ll learn how far I’ve come with my relationship with technology and how it has shaped the way I teach and how I format my lessons.

But…it’s not just all about me! Ultimately, I hope my story will transform your approach to teaching piano.

I don’t just nudge, I plead with you to check out the show notes…so here are the links as promised.

 

Blog posts

What is Off Bench Time?

How to Talk with Parents about Off Bench Time

 

Apps

Tonara (use code viss20 for a free trial and discount)

MusicTheory.net

 

Resources

20th Century Flashbacks

Digital Escape Room Games

Flip-Its

Cookie Cutter Composing

Get Inspired Episodes

 

Books

The iPad Piano Studio

The Dynamic Studio…

 

How to connect with me

Sign up for a freebie and get my weekly newsletter: https://www.leilaviss.com/practice-stickers

Personal Consultation https://www.leilaviss.com/consultation

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/leilaviss/

Email lviss@me.com

Website: https://www.leilaviss.com/

Lock into a Loop of Learning On & Off the Bench

In this episode, get a reminder of what Off Bench time is--a label for three types or parts of a lesson:

• #1 A designated time before, during or after a lesson where students complete assignments off the bench
• #2 Any time spent doing a purposeful activity that engages the body beyond the fingers on the keys
• #3 Any time spent completing activities that involve tactile or tech-savvy tools

In a nutshell, Off Bench Time is time spent doing anything besides playing repertoire that jumpstarts skills on the bench.

Make sure to head back to Key Ideas Episode #39 to learn why Off Bench Time could and should be a part of your lessons.

In this episode, learn the best place to start using an effective three-stage process:

• Prepare
• Present
• Practice

To help you understand what I mean by each stage, hear how to go about teaching landmark notes on the grand staff.

 

Links to articles and apps

Flashnote Derby https://flashnotederby.com/

Note Quest: https://notequest.net/

A list of my Must-Have Apps: https://www.leilaviss.com/apps-piano-teachers

Grand Staff Map https://www.leilaviss.com/store-home/grand-staff-map

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/leilaviss/

Email lviss@me.com

Website: https://www.leilaviss.com/

Off Bench Matters

For the new year, here's a new format that shares potent ideas in 10 minutes or less.

Learn how to engage piano students off the bench to reinforce what they play on the bench.

Off-bench time matters and you'll get a list of reasons why and ways you can incorporate these activities in your lessons immediately, even if you teach online.

Before the next episode drops, listen up and get your assignment.

The time spent away from the keys matters and I’ll be your biggest cheerleader as you get off the bench!

 

If you’re interested in diving deeper into my Off Bench time that comes in tandem with my lessons, read this extensive article and videos about how I amplify my curriculum with time away from the bench.

https://www.leilaviss.com/off-bench-new

 

And if you want to learn more about my teaching philosophy, how I plan lessons, and groom practice skills check out my Planning Kit for Piano Teachers. 
https://www.leilaviss.com/store-home/a-piano-teachers-planning-kit

 

And, don't miss the unique online course starting January 13, 2022 called Teaching Beginners with Whole Body Learning. The dynamic Aussie Paul Myatt who joined me in episode 35 is hosting the class and I’m pleased to be serving as a coach. 

Takeaways:
How to keep the initial excitement alive beyond the first few weeks.
How to have your beginners playing in time from the first lesson.
How to develop playing, reading, and aural skills simultaneously.
How to create activities for any piece that are fun, enjoyable and keep them wanting to play.
The neuroscience around how we learn and place memories in the brain so students remember what they've learned from week to week.

 

Use this link below to register and make sure to use 88KEYS20 for $20 off.

https://pianots.link/beginner

 

Perhaps you’ve already embraced Off Bench time but have a question. Please email or shoot me a direct message on Facebook or Instagram. I’m here to help!

Stay tuned for episode 40 when I chat about the more off-bench ideas and the three-stage process that locks students into a Loop of Learning.

See you in the trenches,
Leila

 

Website: LeilaViss.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leilaviss/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/88pianokeys

Email: lviss@me.com

 

 

Dennis Alexander, Pt. 3

In this final episode of Leila's three-part conversation with Dennis Alexander, he shares the smartest thing anyone can do as an aspiring composer, a teaching tip that is fall-out-of-your-seat funny, and the best thing any teacher can do for their student.

For all the resources mentioned in this series, please visit leilaviss.com/keyideas.

Dennis Alexander, Pt. 2

In part 2 of 3, Leila and Dennis talk about his unexpected journey into composition as well as his transition from Alfred Music to Hal Leonard.

For more info, visit leilaviss.com/keyideas.

Dennis Alexander, Pt. 1

Leila has an inspiring conversation with Dennis Alexander. Dennis is a living legend as a composer, performer, and pedagogue. In Part 1, Dennis talks about the chance opportunity that led to his composing career, why adult students are his favorite, and what app he requires all of his students to download.

For show notes, links and resources, visit leilaviss.com/keyideas.

Whole Body Learning with Paul Myatt

Leila chats with guest Paul Myatt about Whole Body Learning and fun off-bench activities.

Paul Myatt is a passionate music teacher, performer, author, composer and workshop facilitator. Paul, along with his colleague and best friend, Gillian Erskine, created Forte School of Music, a 27-year-old thriving network of music schools with nearly 8,000 students across Australia, New Zealand, Britain and this year in the USA.

For more info, please visit leilaviss.com/keyideas. 

A Piano Teacher‘s Tale in a Land Far Away with Lynda Lybeck-Robinson, Part 2

Enjoy Part 2 of Leila's inspiring conversation with Lynda Lybeck-Robinson!

For more information, visit leilaviss.com/keyideas.

A Piano Teacher‘s Tale in a Land Far Away with Lynda Lybeck-Robinson, Part 1

In this first part of a two-episode conversation with Lynda Lybeck-Robinson, Leila finds out how Lynda wound up in Unalaska, Alaska! Lynda also talks about how she carved out a career in a rugged and beautiful setting. 

To find out more about Lynda, and to get more info about this episode, visit leilaviss.com.

Feedback Repair

Using Joe Hirsch's R.E.P.A.I.R. acronym, Leila shares insights on how to provide valuable in-lesson feedback that leads to "feedforward" and growth with our students.

As always, for more info, visit leilaviss.com/keyideas.