PODCAST · music
Oclef Podcast
by Julian Toha
On this show, we interview experts who help children to develop their talents. These experts can be in music, arts education, sports or an academic teacher. Basically, anyone who works regularly with children or develops programs for them. On this show, we are looking to share the strategies, secrets, and processes that these experts use every day to help kids become great.
Episodes
-
Oclef Daily | EP91 - All Great Piano Teachers Possess This Ability
This is a great episode to share with a piano teacher friend. Push Back. It's simple, yet powerful. Don't avoid confrontation with a parent - especially if what you are pushing back on something that is in the best interest of their child. Parents want the best for their kids, but sometimes they...
-
Oclef Interviews | EP29 - Jon Nakamatsu - The Story of a Great American Pianist
Loved doing this interview with Jon! He's just a great guy and I enjoyed getting the chance, like with most guests on the podcast, to ask deep questions. Please share this with parents of piano students and other teachers or aspiring pianist. He has great insight in many areas and I hope you…
more -
Oclef Daily | EP90 - Is there an end to piano lessons?
Pain relievers like aspirin can be taken if you have a headache and usually within 15 minutes the headache is gone. But what if there were a product that made that headache go away and then come back in 7 days? Whenever I have new classes start I often get the question from parents…how long does…
more -
Oclef Daily | EP89 - The musician's mindset
Yesterday I was working with a mother and her daughter and one simple piece of teaching advice left her speechless the second she tried it. This episode dives into the "Theory Theory" by Alison Gopnik and how it explains why the "Frozen Pencil" teaching technique works so well when teaching...
-
Oclef Daily | EP88 - You're more like a therapist than you want to believe
Today's podcast goes into the challenging world of how we as teachers help our students navigate more than just their troubles and anxieties from learning. If you want your story or question on an upcoming episode - visit www.oclef.com/podcast and leave your story or question. The tortoise always...
-
Oclef Daily | EP87 - Kaizen and the perfection of pursuit
In the education world, teachers sometimes can be overly focused on the results and outcomes in competitions and tests. And the question I have is - "What mindset does that produce for students in the long run?" I leave you with an idea and three questions. The Japanese word Kaizen means "change...
-
Oclef Daily: EP86 - Small Wins
Talking about how small wins not only motivate students but can motivate their parent coaches as they make their way on the long journey of learning music. How do you motivate parents? The tortoise always wins, Julian
-
Oclef Daily: EP85 - Knowledge vs. Understanding
Trying a different format. Share it if you love it. The Tortoise always wins, Julian
-
Oclef Q&A: EP011 - How can I instill a sense of passion into my child?
Sample. Observe. Record. The child needs to sample a variety of activities and as their parent you need to be open and observant. Try to be as non-biased towards activities and you can. Watch them and record your observations about how they respond to these activities. Once you find the right one...
-
Oclef Daily: EP84 - Educate Parents on the Value of Piano
Todays episode is a follow up on the concept talked about in yesterday's interview with Irina Gorin. She talked about "educating parents". What she really means is show parents the value of piano and why they need to be involved and committed in the right way. Today's episode talks about a…
more -
Oclef Interviews | EP28 - Irina Gorin - The Iconic Trailblazer in Piano Teaching
She's amazing. What else is there to say about Irina? :) Check out Tales of A Musical Journey and the rest of her work here - http://www.irinagorin.com/ Enjoy! Julian
-
Oclef Daily: EP83 - Recapping the Parent Recital
They did it! Many parents loved the experience of preparing, learning and performing with their child. My main goal is really to help them get into the learning process with their child. To become part of the piano learning environment. Regardless of the result, they will gain confidence and more...
-
Oclef Interviews | EP27: Michelle Conda - A Leading Teacher of Piano Teachers
This interview is a wonderful conversation with Michelle Conda of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM). She's spent the last 25 years developing CCM as one of the top schools in the world to go learn how to teach piano. She has a talent for developing adults as teachers and in today's…
more -
Oclef Daily: EP82 - The Teaching Window
Today I dive into the idea of how learning happens. For me, learning happens through an input that I call a "window". The window opens from the student's connection with the teacher. But parents have such a stronger bond and larger window with their children than any teacher can even imagine. So…
more -
Oclef Daily: EP81 - Redefining Teaching Roles
Have you ever considered getting your parents, of your students, to teach in the lesson? What skills do they actually need to know in order for the child to improve? With the Oclef Method we see the parent and child as a teacher and student team guided by the actual teacher. By redesigning the…
more -
Oclef Daily: EP80 - Parent Recital
Yep. I'm having parents play in a recital with their kids. The backstory really explains it all. But the main idea here is role shifting. As educators, find ways to get your parents into their role as a teacher of the child as we shift into the coach of the parent and child team. The tortoise...
-
Oclef Q&A EP010 - How do I improve my sight reading?
Great question! The standard answer would be for you to practice lower level pieces (i.e. level 3 if you're level 5). And do that every day for about 15 minutes. It will improve as long as you're consistent and patient. Try Rhythm books really help if you have a deficiency in rhythmic reading and...
-
Oclef Daily: EP79 - Be weird. Be awkward. Be quirky. Be you.
I've always thought this. Weird, awkward and quirky things about people are the best things. The best. But for whatever reason, I've only recently applied it throughout my teaching and consulting. I used to work with students and use archetypes to be more efficient in my teaching. Big mistake....
-
Oclef Daily: EP78 - Tools of the Oclef Method: Priming, Narration, and Feedback
This is an episode from our Oclef Method. It's a series for parents wanting to help their children during practice. Find all the episodes for our methodology that teaches parents here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUqEmaLrf_Fs-Cvyk1HvOkA Guidance As a parent, you can help your child with this...
-
Oclef Daily: EP77 - Let progress reveal itself as independence
Progress We all want it. But should it be shown to parents as a sign of things going well? I used to think so, but I've gotten to the point now where I see progress as something that reveals itself. The whole music education infrastructure points to levels and method book with numbers. And…
more -
Oclef Q&A: EP008 - How can I start learning piano at 16?
Discipline. It's the most important element you'll need to confirm or solve for before moving forward. Don't start looking for a piano or a Method book or anything until you figure out how you plan to be consistent. If you focus on all the tools of learning music and not focus on the way you will...
-
Oclef Q&A: EP007 - Can I teach my seven year old sister how to play piano by myself?
"Can I teach my 7 year old sister how to play piano by myself?" - Peterson Normil Yes. Be consistent - practice 6–7 days a week for 10–15 minutes a day. Doing 1 day a week for 1 hour will not work out. Focus on reading- Get her several books (piano adventures, Alfred, Hal Leonard) and have her...
-
Oclef Daily: EP76 - Why radical candor is required when teaching
Honesty It's a desirable quality. But the funny thing is how people often consider that NOT saying something because it's not positive, is a good thing. Radical Candor is one of the biggest changes and tools to my work as an educator over the last few years. Not saying something to a parent that…
more -
Oclef Q&A: EP006 - What is your advice for someone just starting piano?
Reading. My best advice for a student just starting piano, at any age (5–105) is to develop your reading ability. While you're working on your reading here are two super helpful tips: Have a very diverse set of books to read from. Don't stick to one book or one piece of music. Develop your…
more -
Oclef Daily: EP75 - Does musical talent exist?
We posted a survey on our Instagram and got hundreds of responses. The question was: Does a student need musical talent to succeed in learning music? The audiences answer was a yes... 57% Yes to 43% No Any great teacher will tell you that the answer to that question is obviously no. That's an…
more -
Oclef Q&A: EP005 - I can play perfect during practice, but not in public. Why?
I'll answer in two areas: Headspace- mistakes in performance happen and they should be expected. You have got to start focusing on the characters and audience experience you reveal through the music. Music for me is a verb. It is the act of communicating stories, ideas and emotions through sound.…
more -
Oclef Daily: EP74 - Fixing the fixed-mindset
Welcome to Season 6! I know I've been away for the last couple months and we have so much to share with you! This season will be about how to educate parents into becoming piano coaches and to help make sure their children are actually learning at home. Check out our new Oclef Methodology on...
-
Oclef Daily: EP73 - The external point of reference fail
This is what could happen if a parent or teacher places a student's point of reference outside of themselves. Be careful with comparisons because it can spiral out of control if misplaced. Reach me at [email protected] Follow us on instagram www.instagram.com/oclef
-
Oclef Q&A: EP004 - Where can I buy a used piano?
This is part of the collection of questions that I get so often. What's your advice on buying a piano? It's a very heavy question and I'm interested in developing a series within Oclef Q&A to teach parents about what they need to know. Would you be interested in content that answers these…
more -
Oclef Daily: EP72 - The seeds of negativity
This is week six of the Seven Deadly Sins of Learning Music. It's an intro to negativity. Although it's not very common, it can become a very toxic habit. I have seen negativity develop from setting goals and status based on external forces. This is a very dangerous positioning that happens by...
-
Oclef Interviews | EP26: Dr. Joel Pierson - You Suck at Piano
Last September I came across a campaign on Kickstarter. There was a guy selling a book called "You suck at piano". It was sort of an Anti-method book full of humor and randomness. And of course, I loved it. It's the only book I've ever found to include humor in music education. All jokes aside,...
-
Oclef Daily: EP71 - Predictability Problems
Easily one of the most common mistakes of students and parents is the topic of today's podcast - predictability. If students have the same predictable practice habits of playing their music pieces over and over from beginning to the end, recitals don't go so well. A recital performance is simply…
more -
Oclef Q&A: EP003 - Why can't I tell the difference between electric, upright and grand pianos?
Today's question comes from Sun Xexian. He asks why can't he hear the difference between types of pianos. I love this question because in a way, it's a win for instrument makers who are behind models like Yamaha N2 and other electric pianos. Another great example is my favorite tech-piano, the...
-
Oclef Daily: EP69 - 'Good enough' is no good
This is week 4 of the Seven Deadly Sins of Learning Music. And for this week, we're discussing complacency. It's the idea that the student says, "that's good enough". I find this to be a habit that stunts the imagination and creativity as well as quality of learning. I really do everything I can…
more -
Oclef Q&A: EP002 - Where do pianists look when they play?
This question comes from Ngachanyo Shimray and I just love it. It's an important topic in piano education, but almost never talked about after intermediate/advanced education. If you have a question and want to be on the show, reach me here: [email protected] and visit our instagram to see all the...
-
Oclef Daily: EP68 - An announcement and our gratitude
Hey listener friends! I just wanted to say that we are taking this week off of the podcast to prepare exciting news for all of you. If you do want to engage with us please check out: www.instagram.com/oclef We have exciting partnerships to announce with music education giants who have started to...
-
Oclef Q&A: EP001 - How long does piano take to learn?
Claire asks how long does it take to become proficient at piano. Check out my answer to this common question. Follow us on instagram www.instagram.com/oclef Follow us on Quora http://bit.ly/2HW4N0M Do you have a question? Reach me at: [email protected]
-
Oclef Daily: EP67 - Inconsistency in parents
All this week we're talking about inconsistency and how it is one of the deadly sins of learning music. Today I wanted to shift the focus to parents and how 'inconsistency' in parent behavior is a huge cause of students lack of progress. It is on teachers to educate and empower their student's...
-
Oclef Daily: EP66 - Two steps forward and three back
Before today's show on the next of the Seven Deadly Sins of Learning Music we have an exciting announcement! We're launching a third podcast format called Oclef Q&A. We get so many questions each day and we want to start sharing our answers to those questions here in the podcast format. Reach us…
more -
Oclef Interviews | EP25: El Sistema USA - Revolutionary Music Education
This is Episode 25 of the Oclef Interview series. On today's podcast we have El Sistema USA Board member Christine Taylor and Executive Director Katie Wyatt. Find them at https://elsistemausa.org/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/elsistemausa On Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElSistemaUSA On…
more -
Oclef Daily: EP65 - A story about confidence
It's so important for us to help students become the truest version of themselves. Every chance I get I try to help them pivot and shift into the right direction. Today I wanted to share a story about a student and how she has transformed into a quiet, but confident person and how that changed…
more -
Oclef Daily: EP64 - Become the music
Week 2 of the Seven Deadly Sins of Learning Music is about Detachment. This one is what happens when music is not music, because it's void of an emotion or idea. When students make this a habit during practice or performance it's a huge problem. The end result is unfocused practice and…
more -
Oclef Daily: EP63 - The Tortoise Always Wins
Today I wanted to share a personal story of how one student and his mother chose impatience and short-term wins in learning piano and how that turned out for them. Long story short, a student who appeared "crazy talented" no longer takes piano anymore. Go for the macro values gained from learning...
-
Oclef Daily: EP62 - The impatience side effect
My current hypothesis is that impatience is a side effect which becomes a habit. As educators, we need to be very aware of how we guide, help and observe students. 1. Define the game: Set expectations 2. Teach the tools. Test the tools. 3. Observe the gaps. Reach me for questions or comments at...
-
Oclef Daily: EP61 - A study in impatience
This is part of the seven deadly sins of learning music. A new series we're running on the Oclef Podcast. If you didn't catch the season opener, go back and check it out for the backstory of how this came about. Each week I'll go through one of the things holding your students back from…
more -
Season 5 Introduction - The Seven Deadly Sins of Learning Music
I'm back from Bali! The trip has really helped me to recover and reignite myself for all the upcoming work that we're doing at Oclef. Here's a photo that really encapsulates the trip: http://bit.ly/2q0UIrO Thoughts? Know someone who should be a guest on the show? Reach me at [email protected]
-
Oclef Daily: EP60 - Swimming without a life jacket
Try it. Swimming with a life jacket is really hard, almost impossible to get anywhere. But if you have a top lifeguard watching you and teaching you strokes, you can learn how to swim much better. Why is piano teaching any different? Reach me at [email protected]
-
Oclef Daily: EP59 - Milestones
Pushing students to stretch in piano is a great way to help them grow. But recently, I learned about how important it is to have milestones or markers along the way. These can be obvious like recitals, tests and competitions or they can be less obvious. Like learning all your notes on flash…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
On this show, we interview experts who help children to develop their talents. These experts can be in music, arts education, sports or an academic teacher. Basically, anyone who works regularly with children or develops programs for them. On this show, we are looking to share the strategies, secrets, and processes that these experts use every day to help kids become great.
HOSTED BY
Julian Toha
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Oclef Podcast have?
Oclef Podcast currently has 135 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Oclef Podcast about?
On this show, we interview experts who help children to develop their talents. These experts can be in music, arts education, sports or an academic teacher. Basically, anyone who works regularly with children or develops programs for them. On this show, we are looking to share the strategies,...
How often does Oclef Podcast release new episodes?
Oclef Podcast publishes regularly with 135 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Oclef Podcast?
You can listen to Oclef Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Oclef Podcast?
Oclef Podcast is created and hosted by Julian Toha.
URL copied to clipboard!