309: Building a Brand New Primer Method with Daniel McFarlane

What is it like to build a brand new primer method? In this episode, I have a very special guest, Daniel McFarlane, who was my first ever guest when I started the podcast way back in 2015. Daniel is known for the Supersonics Piano Method, which he has grown over the years. He's going to share more about his teaching styles, approaches, and strategies today. And of course, he's going to share the Supersonics Piano Method and how you can use it with your students.

• A sneak peak on a typical day for Daniel.
• How Daniel handles his business and being a father and teacher all at the same time.
• Tips on how you can position yourself in the business to get parents and students to seek you out as a teacher.
• The benefits you can get from taking on transfer students in your studio.
• Why you need to give your students autonomy and choice in what they are doing.
• Daniel shares a segmented and structured approach in his teaching style.
• The Supersonics Piano Method.
• The story of why his approach was called Blast Off.
• The difference of the Primer Series of Supersonics Piano Method.
• Appropriate age for using the app for teachers and their students.
• Tips for teaching mid to late elementary.
• The goal of repertoire rich learning.

Guest Links

• Supersonics Plus Website
• Supersonics Website
• Supersonics Piano Facebook Page
• Daniel McFarlane Website

Links Mentioned

• TTTV001: Student composition tactics with Daniel McFarlane
• YouTube link of TTTV001 Interview

Today's Guest

Daniel McFarlane started composing pieces for his own students back in 2006 and since then he’s never looked back. In addition to composing, he’s also taught students piano, theory and composition since 1997. Many of these students have gone on to tertiary study and careers in piano performance, composition, music education and jazz performance. He’s conducted workshops on composition and teaching for the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, the Australian Piano Pedagogy Conference and for music teachers in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and the Sunshine Coast. He’s also adjudicated competitions and examined across Australia. Daniel currently lives in Brisbane with his wife, Melanie (now a doctor but previously an extremely competitive piano teacher), their two children, Annabelle and Freddy, and his dog, Bella. When he’s not in front of the computer or at the piano, Daniel occupies his time chasing after the kids, walking the dog, going for the (occasional) run, reading, eating and trying not to melt in the subtropical climate. In a previous life, he had a brief moment of sporting glory when he represented Australia in athletics.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.