traditional lessons

Showing all 9 results in traditional lessons

Taking on Advanced Students

Yesterday, an amazing 16 year old boy looking for a piano teacher came by my studio to talk with me. Although he had traditional lessons in the past, he has been his own teacher for the last several years but feels the need for some…

Skipping/Omitting Pieces in the Simply Music Program


A friend from church has talked with me a couple of times about her 15-year-old daughter who has been taking traditional piano lessons for 6 years. She doesn’t want to take from her teacher anymore because the teacher wants her to play only classical. She…

Wrist Position – Technique

I have a student whose grandmother has the whole family concerned about the position wrists are held while playing. While I have often reminded students to lower shoulders, or alter the wrist position to try to increase their comfort, I haven’t really noticed anything obvious…

My 9 year-old ‘Advanced’ Student

I have an advanced student who is 9 years old and has been playing for about 4-5 years in a traditional method. Reading is fair, but he has been playing by ear for years, and his overall ability and absorption rate is staggering. I’m starting…

Pace of Learning–Reading Rhythm & Notes

I need some help in responding to some concerns from a couple of student’s parents (who have been talking to each other, by the way)! These 2 students have had approximately 145 lessons. One student is right on target according to the curriculum overview, and…

14 Year Old with Prior Experience

I would like to get some thoughts on a situation that just occurred…. a parent called me today to inquire about lessons. Her daughter has had about 5 years of traditional lessons, but quit about a year ago. Her sight-reading skills are very weak. Her…

Traditional Method vs. Simply Music

I had an adult come for a FIS today. He was very eager to start piano and has never had piano lessons or played any kind of instrument before. He said that he felt it would be something fun to do and that he saw…

Comparing Simply Music to Traditional Lessons

I recently spoke with a mother who is considering SM for her daughter. She is more comfortable with the traditional approach. I would like to hear from previous traditional teachers and why you switched to SM. She wants to know why she should go this…

Responding To Those Who Want Traditional Lessons

I just reread this post from Gordon eons ago, and thought that it is a great time to repost it… In this situation in the past I’ve spoken to the person, or sent a letter or email (I wouldn’t go as far as phoning them…