6 ways to make time for creativity: #3 creative season

There is a time for everything… there is not time for everything all at once!

If you and your students have many goals to meet over the course of a year—especially if you’re doing exams—it can be unhelpful when someone comes along and tells you that you also need to be teaching composition and improvisation.

I’m already busy, I don’t need yet another thing to do!

Instead of trying to do everything all at once, try breaking your studio year into seasons.

I’ve been gradually shifting towards this method over the last few years, and I really like it. It helps me ensure that all of the bases are being covered, while also allowing me time during lessons to do deep dives

Here’s an example of what it might look like. As you read the list, bear in mind that you would always be working on a piece or two of repertoire alongside the seasonal focus.

• September-October:

  • focus on aural training and sight-reading

  • begin collecting ideas for a composition

• November-December:

  • ensure students have a good understanding of chords

  • arrange Christmas Carols from leadsheets

• January-February:

  • focus on technique (scales, arpeggios, broken chords etc) and etudes

  • finish the composition

• March-April:

  • focus on performance training, ready for exams and/or student recital

  • polish their composition for performance

• May-June:

  • complete exams and/or student recital

  • prepare student-led summer projects

• July-August

  • assign student-led summer projects

That’s just one example: how might it look in your studio?