Simple steps to follow every lesson. You already know this. This is just your reminder.
Before the lesson
Piano is on, app is ready (Simply Piano open)
Room is quiet and tidy
I know the student's name and what lesson they are on
I have a glass of water for me and the student
I am calm and ready to be patient
Every lesson, follow these steps
1
Welcome them warmly
Smile, say their name, make them feel comfortable. Kids learn better when they feel safe.
"Hi [name]! Ready to play some piano today?"
2
Review what they learned last time
Ask them to play something from the last lesson. This helps them feel proud before learning something new.
"Can you show me what you practiced? Play it for me!"
3
Show them the new lesson on Simply Piano
Open the next lesson in the app. Show them the notes falling on screen. Play it yourself first so they can watch.
"Watch me first. See how the dots fall? Now you try."
4
Let them try. Slow it down if needed
Simply Piano has a slow mode. Use it! It is not cheating. It is learning. Start slow, then speed up when they feel ready.
"Let's make it slower. That is how we learn. Ready?"
5
Point to the keys, not the screen
When they miss a key, gently point to the right one on the piano. Do not grab their hand. Just point or tap the key yourself first.
"This one here, try this finger."
6
Celebrate every small win
Every note they get right is worth celebrating. Keep it real and specific. Not just "good job" but name exactly what they did well.
"Yes! That was the C key, you got it perfect!"
7
End with something they can already play
Always finish on a win. Ask them to play something easy they already know. They leave feeling proud.
"Let's finish with your favorite one. Play it!"
The keys to know first
🎯
Start here: Middle C
The most important key for beginners. It is the C in the middle of the piano. Everything starts from here. Show the student where it is at the very first lesson.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
✋
Finger numbers
Thumb = 1, Index = 2, Middle = 3, Ring = 4, Pinky = 5. Simply Piano shows these numbers. Help the student match their fingers to the numbers on screen.
Do this. Not that.
✅ Do this
→Be patient. Always.
→Repeat the same note as many times as needed
→Use slow mode in the app
→Celebrate small wins out loud
→Keep lessons short and fun
→Let them choose a song they like
→Smile and stay calm
🚫 Not this
→Rush to the next lesson
→Grab their hand or fingers
→Say "try this one" instead
→Play the song for them the whole time
→Give too many instructions at once
→Compare them to other students
→Check your phone during the lesson
If things get hard
😤
If the student gets frustrated
Stop the hard part. Go back to something easy they already know. Let them play it and feel good again. Then try the hard part one more time, in a smaller piece. Progress over perfection.
😴
If the student loses interest
Switch songs. Let them pick something they actually want to play, even if it's not "next" in the lesson plan. Motivation matters more than order.
😬
If a lesson just isn't clicking that day
End early. A short, positive lesson beats a long, frustrating one. There's always next time.