Struggling with students who always start at the beginning of a piece? Nicola shares a fun “At Sixes and Sevens” dice game to mix up practice starting points, keep things playful, and help students engage with their music in new ways.

In this episode, Nicola shows how to simplify Vivid Practice for your students by customizing practice types. Learn how to set up profiles so beginners can start with just one mode, skip unnecessary options, and jump straight into focused practice. Perfect for tailoring practice to each student’s needs!

Endings matter most! In this episode, we dive into Back It Up practice, a method where students start with the last bar of a piece and gradually add more bars going backward. It’s a powerful way to strengthen endings, build confidence, and target the spots that often need the most attention.

Looking back can be just as powerful as looking forward. In this episode, we explore how students can use Vivid Practice to revisit completed assignments, replay videos, and access backing tracks. It’s a simple way to track progress, refresh forgotten pieces, and stay motivated on their musical journey.

Make practice playful with “secret surprise” assignments in Vivid Practice! In this episode, we share how occasional silly, unexpected tasks—like a secret password or fun mini rewards—encourage students to check their notes, follow their assignment list, and stay engaged. A little mystery goes a long way in keeping practice fun and intentional.

Video can transform practice, especially for students struggling with timing or hands-together coordination. In this episode, we explore how recording one hand at a time—with a hidden metronome—gives students a clear, accurate guide to play along with at home. From simple intros to in-lesson demos, discover how this method makes practice more effective, engaging, and confidence-building.

Practice doesn’t happen “whenever”—it happens when it’s planned. In this episode, we explore how Vivid Practice reminders help students build intentional practice routines. The real magic isn’t just the notification ding; it’s the moment when students and parents sit down together to map out realistic practice times. That simple act of planning builds commitment, clarity, and a stronger foundation for consistent practice.

When students insist they “always play it better at home,” it’s time for a reality check—one that actually helps them improve. In this episode, we explore a simple self-scoring tally system that teaches students to track performance over multiple playthroughs, calculate their average, and understand what they’re truly likely to play next time. It builds accuracy, accountability, and better self-monitoring—turning perception into progress.