About The Method

I have a prospective student coming to an FIS. She has a woman from her church teaching her traditional lessons. The teacher told her Simply Music is “mostly memorization”. I’ve heard the objection twice from her already. How would you address this concern with a…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• comparing traditional to Simply Music, memorization, playing-based, SM vs traditional, talking about Simply Music, talking about SM

I did an Intro Session last night and I notice they seem to be a little long (an hour to an hour and a half). This may be due to discussing specifics of my policy, practicing, etc. Maybe most or all of this should wait…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• communication, FIS, foundation session, information session, intro session, Ode to Joy, policies, SIS, studio policies, testimonial video

Has anyone got some tips for students whose fingers are so thick that they get stuck between the black notes, e.g. the IV chord of Bishop Street Blues? It is not an uncommon issue, and as you said, the reality of the situation is that…

• Last updated 6 years ago
• big fingers, Bishop St., bishop street blues, chords, finger adaptations, fingering, large fingers, large hands, thick fingers, wide fingers

I was wondering what are the benefits of becoming a certified teacher. I’m currently licensed and have been since I started in October. 2014. At that time the whole training program was being overhauled so I was not required to make the transition to certified…

• Last updated 4 years ago
• certification, Laurie Richards, Neil Moore, teacher status

Can I still receive forum digests in my emails? Can someone help me do this please? Log in to the Intranet Then, choose ‘Forums’ Then, in the lower right-hand corner choose ‘Digest Settings’ Then, make your selections re how you want to receive your digest…

• Last updated 8 years ago
• forum digests, forums, Neil Moore, teacher forums

I have a 12-year-old student in Foundation 8 who is especially interested in classical music. He recently brought in a crazy complicated Chopin piece (Revolutionary Etude) he wants to learn. I have the skills to help him dissect the piece and learn to play it,…

• Last updated 8 years ago
• applying PB strategies to music, chopin, classical music, cross pollination, cross-pollinate, Gordon Harvey, identifying patterns, Laurie Richards, teaching difficult music

I’m starting to get into Level 7 and noticed there’s some good “golden nuggets” regarding the length of pieces (I was wondering about that) and also technique and fingering. Glad these were addressed! I am now learning all Foundation pieces from the TTM and also…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• Laurie Richards, Neil Moore, teacher training, using both TTMs and SHMs, using SHMs, using TTMs

I had a student tell me this evening that I’m not a very useful teacher because “I can learn everything I need from the videos”. However, I know this isn’t true, not only by the student’s progress, but by the speed at which I’m gaining…

• Last updated 8 years ago
• communication, learning from video, special programs, value of lessons, value of teachers

I’m curious how to handle Foundation/Arrangements once studets are in Level 6 and up when we’re actively reading music at that point. Do I keep the music books closed and work with the pieces from a purely playing-based perspective since students should still watch the…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• Foundation sheet music, Laurie Richards, playing-based tools, reading, Time for More Music, using playing-based tools while reading, using sheet music

I’m having some issues with some students that want to move ‘faster’. There’s a lot we’re trying to fit in during a lesson, but for some students it doesn’t feel like enough, at least according to them. Usually with these students, the playlist suffers. Just…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• arrangements, Foundation songs, Gordon Harvey, impatience, Laurie Richards, motivation, pace of teaching, pacing, students moving ahead