Advertise on podcast: Vivid Practice

Nicola shares how she combines digital practice tools with old-school Post-It notes to keep students on track. Learn how a simple note on the score can reinforce assignments, support independent practice, and act as a fail-safe when tech isn’t an option.

Vivid Practice Teacher Tip - Printing assignments

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.

Want students to actually use their practice app at home? Start by using it with them in the lesson. In this episode, we explore how turning Vivid Practice into an occasional lesson checklist helps students get comfortable, confident, and aware that everything they need is right there in the app. A simple, periodic “Vivid-focused week” can build habits that last long after the lesson ends.

The metronome doesn’t need to be an extra step—or an extra struggle. In this episode, we explore the built-in Vivid Practice metronome: a simple, student-friendly tool designed with just the features they actually need. From tempo markings to beat emphasis and subdivisions, it’s all right at their fingertips during practice. Learn how using the same metronome in lessons removes excuses, builds confidence, and helps students finally experience the power of steady, musical practice.

Discover a simple but powerful studio tradition: Practicing Practice in Practice Week. Each year, students step into a simulated “at-home practice session” while their teacher dons a playful “cloak of invisibility” to quietly observe. The result? Honest habits, surprising insights, and solutions to hidden practice struggles. Learn how this lighthearted experiment can transform your teaching, uncover misconceptions, and make practice more effective—one invisible lesson at a time.

Nicola Cantan spotlights Tomplay, an underrated app for exploring, reading, and practicing music. With a built-in library, backing tracks, looping, tempo control, and even scores on the MTB exam syllabus, it’s a versatile tool for both teaching and student practice. Discover how Tomplay can bring new life to lessons and make tricky rhythms click.

In this quick tip, Nicola Cantan shares a fun and simple practice game: Koala, Kangaroo, Caribou. Using three animals to represent slow, fast, and medium tempos, teachers can guide students to explore different speeds, improve control, and strengthen their practice habits. A playful way to make tempo practice engaging and effective!