429: Piano Method Navigator with Anna Beth Rucker

Method books can be incredibly helpful or incredibly overwhelming. Today, I’m having a chat with Anna Beth Rucker, the creator of Piano Method Navigator, a free online tool that helps teachers explore and compare method books with clarity. We dive into how this resource came to life, what it offers, and how it can support better decision-making no matter what stage of teaching you’re in. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to choose the “right” book, this episode will definitely help.

• Anna Beth shared a brief overview of her background as the creator of the Piano Method Navigator.
• How the tool helps teachers explore method books with more confidence.
• She shared her motivation for creating a free, user-friendly tool for the teaching community.
• The value of method book comparison in choosing materials for different student needs.
• She highlighted the searchable filters and categories that make the Navigator so practical.
• How the tool reflects her belief in empowering teachers, not replacing judgment.
• Tim and Anna Beth explored the challenges teachers face when switching or mixing methods.
• The importance of understanding teaching priorities, sequencing, pacing and philosophy.
• Anna Beth encouraged teachers to be curious and experimental with new materials.
• She shared how her nonprofit and consulting experience shaped her approach to design and accessibility.
• Tim praised the Navigator as a much-needed tool for piano teachers of all levels.

Since the recording of this podcast, Piano Method Navigator includes a new tool: the Lesson Planning Assistant—a time-saving feature that shows what your student has just learned, is learning now, and is about to learn, making lesson planning faster and more strategic. Links Mentioned

• Piano Method Navigator Website
• Piano Method Navigator Instragram Page: @pianomethodnavigator

Today’s Guest Anna Beth Rucker is a pianist, educator, and the creator of Piano Method Navigator, a free online tool that helps teachers explore method books with clarity and confidence. With nearly two decades of teaching experience and two degrees in pedagogy, she brings both depth and curiosity to piano education. In addition to her work in music, she has spent years in the nonprofit sector—designing strategy, streamlining operations, and shaping messaging. She now leads Tree Frog Solutions, a refreshingly straightforward consulting firm that helps nonprofits and creative businesses do big things on a small budget. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, Ben, their goofy golden retriever, Clive, and their three-legged cat, Charles-François. Today’s Sponsor Piano Marvel is an innovative piano education platform designed to empower piano teachers and inspire students. Blending traditional methods with cutting-edge technology, Piano Marvel offers powerful tools to streamline teaching, track student progress, and enhance learning outcomes in both in-person and online lessons. With a digital piano connected via USB, MIDI, or microphone mode, students gain instant feedback on their playing, build...