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Do you have any of those wonderful little students who, instead of playing a piece when you tell them to, squirm around on the bench, tell you silly stories, stand up and sit down, etc etc etc? I have tried everything to get those kids to focus and actually play the piece, but the thing that has been working the best lately is simply to just count them into their song.

I say, “K, you’re going to play it now. One, Two, Ready Go!” This always gets them to settle down and move their hands up to the piano. It still may take a minute to get going on the piece, but at least they are no longer distracted!