Simpedia

Carrie L.,Michigan,

I just thought I’d share something exciting that happened tonight! I lead the praise band at my church and just playing around I played Alma Mater blues while the band was getting organized and we were going through a sound check.

After practice, the band wanted me to play the song again so they could play along! We jammed on it for quite a while and added solos and had a lot of fun! I was never able to do that before Simply Music came along!

One of my students who has been in Simply Music for about 16 weeks also played with the band a couple weeks ago.. how is that for motivating kids!

Cindy B., Illinois

I, too, have found that the 12 bar blues skills that my students are learning to be very valuable for motivation. Those students who have actually been practicing the blues every day are able to ‘jam’ with me and each other, especially when they arrive early and I’m available to join them. I’ll say, “Why don’t you play Jackson Blues, and I’ll play Alma Mater Blues?” The parents are especially thrilled and inspired – hearing SO MUCH full sounding music. It helps when there’s 2 pianos, which I have, but on even one piano if the student plays whatever blues they feel especially competent at I can play either another bass line or another melody line. There are ensemble opportunities available with all the songs on their playlist – using patterns learned from the arrangements as duet parts.