Best Rachel Ehring Podcasts (2025)

1
Dealing with FOMO as a Musician 39:11

3d ago39:11

39:11

The fear of missing out (FOMO) comes in 2 forms for a musician. The first is social and live events that you're not able to do because of rehearsal and performance. The other is not using all the skills you practiced because there isn't enough time to achieve a professional goal on all of them. Saying I CAN do this, I'm good at this, and even to a …

1
Embracing Technology for Learning Music (with Sam Reti) 1:12:10

10d ago1:12:10

1:12:10

Let's talk about making use of apps and other technology to help your growth as a musician. We talk about the explorer's mindset needed to embrace technology rather than fearing it. We then dive into categories such as practice apps, metronome apps, assessment tools, and a few others. The featured guest is Sam Reti, who teaches guitar and also uses…

1
What I Got Wrong About Quarterly Goals 22:59

17d ago22:59

22:59

Way back on Episode 27, I talked about the power of having quarterly goals. Since then, I've spent over a year in an accountability group centered around quarterly goals, and have gained more clarity on what works and what doesn't. This is a revised look at one of the most powerful ways to keep succeeding at anything. Previous episode on this topic…

1
Getting Beyond the Sight Reading Mode 30:46

24d ago30:46

30:46

Sight reading is the first time you play through a piece of music, but the "sight reading mode" can last for a long time. The sight reading mode is the stage where you feel like your eyes have to stay glued to the sheet music for nearly every performance second because your mind and body has no real familiarity with the music. It's not that you're …

1
Developing Your Accompanying and Collaboration Skills (with Rachel Ehring) 59:51

1M ago59:51

59:51

Playing your instrument while following other musicians is an art, and one of the essential tools of musicianship. Dr. Rachel Ehring chats with me in this episode about why this is a good skill to learn, the challenges unique to collaborating, and how this opens the doors to opportunities for both amateurs and professionals. Links for this Episode …

1
Why You Should Memorize Everything 22:40

1M ago22:40

22:40

Some classical musicians have severe anxiety about playing from memory, and others just want to avoid it, but this episode offers 9 reasons why memorizing everything you ever practice is actually a solution to that and more! Click here for the episode on HOW to memorize music: https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit/episode/791a00c3/tactics-for-memo…

1
The Practice Pyramid: What Matters Most When Practicing Music 30:59

2M ago30:59

30:59

The most common question I get from students and their parents when they ask about practice is: "how many minutes should I be practicing?". This isn't the first question they should ask. To get the most out of your practice, you need to work on 3 habits in a specific order to set a good foundation. This episode introduces the Practice Pyramid to he…

1
Championing New Music and Working Internationally (with Michael Hall) 1:02:39

2M ago1:02:39

1:02:39

Michael Hall is a Chicago-based violist who is an international soloist, clinician, and artistic director. He has carved a career for himself with a zeal for living composers and new music, as well as his work with musicians around the globe, including as artistic director for the Bandung Philharmonic Orchestra in Indonesia. His passion is infectio…

1
Why You Should Go To Summer Music Camp 14:52

2M ago14:52

14:52

If you haven't yet graduated from school, you should seize the opportunity THIS SUMMER to go to camp. You'll grow as a musician in ways you probably haven't yet imagined. After listening, click here to find a summer music camp: https://www.musicalamerica.com/pages/?pagename=camps2025&header Musicianship Mastery is formerly known as The Musician Too…

1
Why You Should Play in Band or Orchestra 19:52

2M ago19:52

19:52

If you or your child is looking ahead to starting middle school, you likely have the opportunity to sign up for band or orchestra, and you absolutely should!! An instrumental ensemble offers many benefits that you cannot get in private lessons, and a different set of benefits from singing in a chorus. And if you're older, even an adult, there are o…

1
When an Adult Beginner REALLY Commits (with Reid Harrison) 48:50

2M ago48:50

48:50

If you're an adult music student, this episode is for you! Reid Harrison is an engineer who decided to take up piano at the age of 48, and was able to apply his engineering skills in a way to help him become a solid intermediate to upper immediate pianist in 4 years. In this episode, you'll learn about the powerful role of a practice journal (or sp…

1
How Teaching Music Improved My Own Musicianship 24:41

3M ago24:41

24:41

This year marks 25 years since I started teaching piano, composition, theory, and (for a while) French horn. There's a lot I've appreciated about being a teacher, but one of the benefits is that it made me a better musician! In this episode, I share what I've learned about being a teacher and how I've benefitted in my own playing and understanding …

1
"Not As Advanced As I Think I Should Be" 40:05

3M ago40:05

40:05

"I thought this would be easier." "I can't believe how much I had to practice just to learn this!" "I thought I'd be much further along by now." If any of these statements describe your learning experience with your instrument, you're not alone. In this episode, I'll offer an explanation for why you're feeling this way and give you 5 steps you can …

1
What's Holding Back Today's Young Students? - with Kinard Douthit 52:47

3M ago52:47

52:47

There is a generation of students that is, generally speaking, not as equipped for the professional world that follows school as previous generations. In this episode, I chat with Dr. Kinard Douthit, a flutist and professor at Winston-Salem State University, about the obstacles and challenges of today's college students. This is certainly a broader…

1
10 Ways to Make Real Progress as a Musician 25:45

4M ago25:45

25:45

There's a simple solution for making progress as a musician, and it's what's known as "skin in the game". If you don't give yourself stakes, it's hard to expend the energy required to get yourself to the next level. This episode will give you 10 ideas for things you can do to give yourself those stakes to give yourself some real progress! Musicians…

1
Time to Get Serious as a Musician 35:45

5M ago35:45

35:45

It's a new year, and you probably have goals as a musician, but are you underestimating the time and intensity you need to invest in order to make real progress? The easiest way to work on music or any skill and "feel" like we're making progress is to consistently dabble in it. A few minutes here, a few minutes there. A little practice is better th…

1
The Musician Toolkit Episode 100 Celebration and Announcements 35:56

7M ago35:56

35:56

For Episode 100, I say thank you to all of you who have listened to even 1 episode, let alone all 100! In this episode, I recap the tools of musicianship, and I celebrate moments like my favorite episodes that didn't have as high of listener numbers that I think you might have missed. I also share announcements like a new name, a new focus, and a n…

1
When and How to Pivot As a Musician 38:31

7M ago38:31

38:31

Professional musicians often have to confront obstacles from job changes...to a piece they're practicing that isn't getting better...to possible existential threats such as streaming services and AI. To be a successful musician for a long time requires knowing when and how to pivot. Hopefully this episode will help you answer both questions. Let me…

1
Be a Musician Who DOES, Not Just Plans 26:38

7M ago26:38

26:38

Planning is good, but doing is better! Whether it's composing your next piece, practicing something hard or accomplishing a career goal, it's possible to become a doer and not just a planner even if that hasn't been your natural inclination. In this episode, I share what has worked for me. Let me know your thoughts on this episode as a voice messag…

1
How to Make Sure You're Getting Benefits From Reading 25:25

8M ago25:25

25:25

Reading for self-improvement is a common habit among successful people in all kinds of fields, and this is definitely true for musicians! However, good reading is more than just staring at words on pages. Besides types of books, it's important to invest time, energy and techniques to get the most out of what you're reading. Let me know your thought…

1
Getting Started with a New Church Music Job 26:31

8M ago26:31

26:31

On Episode 90, I chatted with Bob Moore about the tools of being a church music director. At the time, I was 20 months removed from being a church music director myself. However, one day after this episode releases, I will be starting a new job as a church music director. In this episode, I share my goals and action lists to help ensure that I get …

1
4 Types of Books Every Composer Should Own 20:48

8M ago20:48

20:48

If you're a composer or an arranger, it is invaluable to have plenty of references to help you study and improve your craft. I share 4 types of books that I think every composer should have on their bookshelf, and my personal favorites of each kind. Let me know your thoughts on this episode as a voice message to possibly share on a future episode a…

1
Music Notation Apps in a Post-Finale World (with Jason Loffredo) 47:40

8M ago47:40

47:40

On August 26, 2024, the long-time popular notation app called Finale announced that it would be permanently discontinuing all of its software, leading to very vocal anxiety and panic among its many veteran users. Professional composers and arrangers, as well as educators all need a good notation app, but Finale is no longer a choice. Jason Loffredo…

1
The Four Core Performance Skills for Beginning Students 23:42

9M ago23:42

23:42

Recently, I spoke for 5 episodes about the four core performance skills, the musical skills that will allow you to play well in any situation for any genre. If you're a beginner or you teach beginners, how early can you get started with these skills? Check out why I think that not only can you start right away, but you actually should. Also listen …

1
Batching: A Way to Actually Get Things Done 22:27

9M ago22:27

22:27

Whether it involves practicing, composing, or any other creative goals you have, there's a way that I've found that actually works to allow you to accomplish everything you wish. It's called batching, and it satisfies the brain's need to get and maintain a flow state. Check out this episode to find out how batching can make a real difference in you…

1
How I Plan a Theatre Music Rehearsal 42:49

9M ago42:49

42:49

How can you plan a music rehearsal that is efficient and effective? In the world of musical theatre, the music director is responsible for planning music rehearsals to teach all vocal parts to a cast where not everyone sings on every song. There's also only a few rehearsals available to teach everything. Planning good music rehearsals requires orga…

1
The Tools of Church Music Directing (with Bob Moore) 58:47

9M ago58:47

58:47

One possible part-time or full-time job for many musicians can be as a music director for a church. Bob Moore is a composer with much experience as a music director for Catholic and Episcopalian churches. David Lane is a composer with much experience as a music director for Baptist and Methodist churches. In this episode, we chat about the musician…

1
Revisiting the Importance of Talent in Music 32:33

9M ago32:33

32:33

If you want to succeed in music, how important is talent? I shared a strong opinion on this way back on Episode 3 of this podcast. I've thought about it a lot since then, and have since changed my mind about some of it but still feel strongly on other points. With the 2024 Summer Olympics being a recent event that featured a lot of developed talent…

1
The Four Core Performance Skills part 5 - Improvising 36:19

10M ago36:19

36:19

The final core performance skill to explore is the ability to improvise. This is a skill that is very natural to some musicians (and even non-musicians) and very mysterious and perhaps even scary to others. And yet, it's the oldest of all the skills, the earliest way to create music. It's also essential for every genre other than classical (and the…

1
The Four Core Performance Skills part 4 - Transposing 39:20

10M ago39:20

39:20

Transposing is unique among the core skills in that it's the only one that is dependent on one of the other skills. Being able to play well while reading music or by listening is required to give you a starting point. The ability to take a piece of music from any source and change it to any of the other keys is a distinctive skill because it focuse…

1
The Four Core Performance Skills part 3 - Playing By Ear 41:05

10M ago41:05

41:05

The 4 Core Performance Skills are the big skills that every musician should strive to master to be the most balanced and well-rounded musician possible, and to have success as a performer in EVERY situation. The second of these core skills is playing by ear, or playing music with accuracy after hearing it played elsewhere but having no written scor…

1
The Four Core Performance Skills part 2 - Sight Reading 44:53

10M ago44:53

44:53

The 4 Core Performance Skills are the big skills that every musician should strive to master to be the most balanced and well-rounded musician possible, and to have success as a performer in EVERY situation. The first of these core skills is sight reading. Sight reading not only gives you essentially a head start on learning new music, it is ESSENT…

1
The Four Core Performance Skills part 1: An Overview of the Skills 20:50

11M ago20:50

20:50

There are many skills you need to become a great musician such as developing good technique, being good at ear training, and having a good knowledge of music theory. None of these are the Core Skills but they help improve all four. The 4 Core Performance Skills are the 4 types of situations that you might be expected to do in a performance. Most pe…

1
Practice Success: The Power of the Subconscious Mind 25:13

11M ago25:13

25:13

Simply put: you can't play music well unless you're subconscious mind is driving the bus. If you're aware of having to think about each note, each rhythm, each aspect of the music before you play it, then you're still practicing with your conscious mind. When you train your technique and repertoire beyond the point of awareness where your hands jus…

1
Problem Solving in the Practice Room (with Dr. Larry Weng) 1:00:20

11M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

Have you ever thought you had a piece memorized only to play it for someone and you start having memory slips? This is one of many common problems that can be solved through a process of troubleshooting, the same that an auto mechanic or computer technician might use. Dr. Larry Weng of Wake Forest University talks about this approach of problem sol…

1
For Success in Anything, Develop This One Skill! 40:34

11M ago40:34

40:34

There are so many things a musician must develop to be a success. There's technique, fluency in music theory, composition and arranging skills, the skill of marketing, the skill of networking, staying up-to-date with the industry, and much more. However, there is ONE SKILL that is important for you to develop first that makes all of these other ski…

1
Coaching Theatre and Pop Vocals (with Bob Marks) 49:28

12M ago49:28

49:28

Bob Marks has been a renowned vocal coach for well over 4 decades. His former students is a wall of fame roster and includes: Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lea Michele, Laura Bell Bundy, Ashley Tisdale, Debbie Gibson, Natalie Portman, and more. In this episode, Bob talks about what his role is as a vocal coach in contrast wit…

1
Never Forget Your Main Thing as a Musician | Ep79 32:13

12M ago32:13

32:13

As David Lane shares, an attempt to create a true master calendar, accounting for all 168 hours in a week, is a sobering lesson. Chances are that you, like he, have too many interests, too many obligations, and/or too many goals. It's also easy to crowd out the main thing that drives you as a musician - whether that be playing your instrument, cond…

1
Session Recording on Trumpet (with Paul Baron) | Ep78 57:11

12M ago57:11

57:11

Paul Baron is an active performer on the trumpet. He is currently touring on the Broadway National Tour of Disney's Frozen. He has also appeared on many albums by world-famous pop and rock artists such as Aerosmith, David Lee Roth (from whom he learned an important musical lesson), Michael Buble, INXS, and many more. In this episode, we talk about …

1
More Review, Less New for Success | Ep77 21:13

1y ago21:13

21:13

It's human nature to want to learn all the music, listen to every album, read every book, watch every movie, and visit every city. However, there's not nearly as much time as we'd like to do even a fraction of any of this. And since we can't do everything, it's much more powerful to savor than to sample. Listening again and again to music that insp…

1
The One Minute Practice Challenge | Ep76 18:59

1y ago18:59

18:59

If you're having trouble progressing as much as you'd like when practicing music, you might like this extreme but very focused approach. Instead of practicing on something for 10 minutes and thinking about how much progress you can make in 10 minutes, consider how much progress you could make minute-by-minute for 10 single minutes. This episode wil…

1
Put Your Goals In Action! | Ep75 43:35

1y ago43:35

43:35

It's one thing for a musician to state a goal, even a big one, but it's useless until you've given it some legs. What's the difference between saying you plan to write a musical and getting that musical staged in an official production? The difference is that the first scenario takes virtually no effort, and the 2nd takes a lot of steps, work, and …

1
Celebrate with Me! 9:21

1y ago9:21

9:21

In today's episode, Rachel is celebrating the one year anniversary of her podcasting journey! She shares a recap of the past year since The Dynamic Piano Teaching Podcast launch and talks about some exciting things that are on the horizon. Don't miss the Celebration! Resources mentioned in this episode: (Some resources might contain affiliate links…

1
How to Improve Your Observation | Ep74 22:37

1y ago22:37

22:37

The skill of observation is a crucial skill for all musicians. However, it's also a skill that most students have not come close to developing when they're early in their lessons for learning their instrument. Observation helps you find patterns, to identify structure, to see how one part of the music connects with another, not to mention more basi…

1
10 Favorite Jazz Albums (From Someone Who Didn't Always Like Jazz) | Ep73 37:48

1y ago37:48

37:48

Jazz is a genre that serious musicians at least take time to explore. Whether it's classical musicians, film composers, rock musicians, pop artists, hip hop artists, even country artists like Willie Nelson...it's hard to find accomplished musicians in any genre who are ignorant of the world of jazz. While this episode won't get into the nuts and bo…

1
How to Compose a Canon | Ep72 32:25

1y ago32:25

32:25

Composing and Improvising are essential tools for every well-rounded musician, but they are different skills. Quite often, when someone decides to become a composer, they are making up something from their instrument and then writing it down on staff paper. This is actually more of a transcribed improvisation than it is true composition. There's no…

1
Creating Value as an Entrepreneurial Musician (with Brian Witkowski) | Ep71 1:04:26

1y ago1:04:26

1:04:26

Many professional musicians and music teachers struggle with charging what their worth, or even what they need to charge to make even a decent living. Brian Witkowski of The Lucrative Artist helps musicians and other artists to develop their "money voice", to change the way they think about money. In this episode, we chat about a variety of ways th…

1
Helpful and Harmful Practice Mindsets | Ep70 14:50

1y ago14:50

14:50

Even after you've scheduled your practice time each day and planned what your focus is during that time, the mindset you bring to your practice will absolutely affect how well or poorly you do during your session. There are 5 common types of practice mindsets, 2 which are helpful and 3 which are not. Which one or ones do you gravitate towards the m…

1
The Business Side of Private Teaching (with Andrea Miller) | Ep69 1:07:40

1y ago1:07:40

1:07:40

If you're an independent teacher, there are a number of important steps to go from being a hobbyist to becoming a legitimate business. Andrea Miller of Music Studio Startup talks about all of this including making a decision about becoming an LLC and what steps go with that if you choose, making quarterly tax estimates, deductions, and other genera…

1
25 MORE Essential Classical Pieces You Should Know | Ep68 39:57

1y ago39:57

39:57

This is a follow-up to Episode 17 from last year, where this podcast introduced 25 pieces of classical music, not necessarily the best or most acclaimed pieces, but 25 that you should know even if classical music is not your genre of focus. Even after 25 more pieces, there are so many that were left out, but this plus the previous episode in this s…

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