053: Teaching Improvisation at All Levels with Amie Webster

Helping students embrace creativity at the piano can feel overwhelming, but Amie Webster believes improvisation is a skill every student can develop. In this episode, she shares how improvisation builds confidence, enhances musicianship, and makes lessons more engaging at all levels. Amie offers practical strategies for introducing improvisation from the very first lesson, guiding students beyond basic patterns, and helping them explore rhythm, melody, and storytelling through music. She also discusses ways to use improvisation in online lessons, group settings, and even recitals. Whether you’re new to teaching improv or looking for fresh ideas, Amie’s insights will inspire you to bring more creativity into your studio.

• Amy shared how she transitioned from a solo piano teacher to co-owning Motif Music Studios.
• How improvisation helps students become active listeners, enhances creativity, and builds confidence.
• Simple ways to introduce improvisation, including black-key exercises, pedal play, and blues scales.
• Advice for students to turn personal experiences into musical storytelling for deeper engagement.
• Methods for expanding beyond beginner improvisation, such as using chord progressions & melodies.
• How structured experimentation helps students transition from strict note-reading to creative exploration.
• Using guidelines and small challenges to support students who feel intimidated by improvisation.
• The value of recording or notating improvisations to build a creative portfolio.
• Ways to challenge advanced students with historical styles and pop chord progressions.
• How online teaching can effectively include improvisation through call-and-response and storytelling techniques.
• How LEGO can be used for ear training, rhythm exercises, and sparking creativity in lessons.
• Alternative recital ideas to provide creative performance opportunities for students.
• Her recommended video resources on improvisation, composition, and celebrating student progress.
• Amie’s personal interests, including reading, puzzles, rollerblading, and skate park adventures with her three boys.

Links Mentioned

• TopCast Episode 400: It’s The 10-Year TopCast Anniversary!
• Motif Music Studios Website
• Motif Music Studios YouTube Channel
• Amie's Instagram Page: @coffeewithcomposers

Today's Guest

Amie Webster is an enthusiastic piano teacher of 28 years, Mom of 3 busy boys and started Motif Music Studios, a multi-teacher music studio, alongside her husband, Jeff Webster, in 2010. Motif Music Studios is now a collaborative music school with a team of creative, heart-led teachers who are focused on nurturing students in their musical growth and seeing students thrive as their individual strengths are celebrated! As a YouTube creator, Amie also enjoys introducing creative teaching ideas and highlights piano music by contemporary composers. This pursuit has been a fun-filled, life-giving creative pursuit and she hopes it encourages other teachers in their individual teaching journeys as well. Amie is fueled by passion, caffeine and curiosity and is so thankful for the ways music has been woven into her life in so many beautiful ways.

About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
• Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

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.

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