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You’re teaching a piano lesson, and the student keeps looking at their phone and ignoring instructions.

Choose the answer(s) you would be most likely to do.

Stop the lesson and firmly take control by telling them to put the phone away.

Redirect their focus with a fun exercise or activity.

Ignore it and continue the lesson.

Involve the parent after the lesson instead of addressing it in the moment.

A parent says they’re frustrated because their child isn’t progressing as quickly as they hoped.

Choose the answer(s) you would be most likely to do.

Listen carefully, empathize, and explain the child’s progress in detail.

Suggest new practice strategies and reassure them.

Defend your teaching by saying it depends on the student’s effort.

Brush it off and move on with lessons.

Traffic makes you 10 minutes late to your first lesson of the day.

Choose the answer(s) you would be most likely to do.

Notify the parent via text or phone call..

Apologize when you arrive and adjust lessons so no one loses time.

Arrive late and just let the schedule run behind.

Skip the first student to stay on track.

A young student comes to their lesson and refuses to play, saying they’re “too tired.”

Choose the answer(s) you would be most likely to do.

Push through the assigned material anyway.

Switch to a quick game, song, or rhythm activity to re-engage them.

Let them sit quietly until they feel like playing.

End the lesson early.

The spring recital is two weeks away, and your student still struggles with their piece.

Choose the answer(s) you would be most likely to do.

Encourage them with extra practice tips and confidence-building.

Suggest a simpler piece they can master before the recital.

Tell them it’s their responsibility and leave it at that.

Avoid the topic and see how they do on recital day.

You’re scheduled for a 10–12 hour day with back-to-back lessons. By the evening, you’re drained. How do you handle the last few students?

Choose the answer(s) you would be most likely to do.

Push through quickly to get done faster.

Give the same energy as the first lesson by finding motivation in the student’s growth.

Let your fatigue show—it’s natural.

Cut lessons a little short.

One of your longtime students suddenly says they don’t want to practice or take lessons anymore.

Choose the answer(s) you would be most likely to do.

Ask what changed and explore ways to reconnect them with music.

Suggest trying a different instrument, style, or fun activity.

Tell them to keep practicing—it’s just a phase.

Talk to the parent instead of the student.

A parent tells you they don’t like your teaching style and compares you to another teacher.

Choose the answer(s) you would be most likely to do.

Listen carefully and thank them for the feedback, while explaining your teaching approach.

Ask if they’d like to try a different method in lessons.

Defend yourself and explain why your style is effective.

Get frustrated and cut the conversation short.