About The Method

I got a call from a mom today. Her son (11 years old) is getting teased by his peers at school for not learning ‘real’ piano. I will spend time with him and his family to highlight the differences of the method architecture, explain the…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• communication, playing-based, SM vs traditional, traditional

Here’s an idea for applying playing-based strategies at a generative level: After a student composes a song, work together as a class to come up with a way to teach it. This might include making a diagram reference, talking about what specific playing-based tools can…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• C&I, class projects, composition, diagrams, generative, generative learning, Laurie Richards, single thought process

I’d like some advice about my 7-year-old student who previously had about one year of lesson (traditional) in China and can already play some lovely classical pieces (reading). I explained why we do not read notes, and she and her parents accept this as far…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• accompaniment, chords, communication, diagrams, difficulty with diagrams, dosage, patterns, prior experience, teaching away from the piano

I have a piano student who has already been introduced to sight reading from a former teacher. Is there any reason they can’t learn the song via pattern playing first, then switch over to the sheet music instead of waiting until level 4 or 5?…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• Laurie Richards, patterns, playing-based tools, previous experience, prior experience, reading notes, reading rhythm, Robin Keehn, sight reading, using sheet music, when to introduce reading

As a new teacher, I am wondering what to tell my students if they ask if they will ever be able to learn a certain song (not by accompaniment but playing the actual melody) even if it is not in the SM curriculum. Eventually they’ll…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• curriculum, non-curricular music, patterns, playing-based tools, teaching outside music

Does anyone have any good ideas to motivate students to listen to the audio tracks? I have all I can do to follow through on videos and assignments but would love to think of something kind of fun to encourage/require them to listen more consistently.…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• accompaniment, audio materials, Laurie Richards, practicing, requirements, SHM, Student Home Materials

I was wondering about a couple of things and if anyone has any advice or thoughts, or can direct me to anything in the library section of the SM intranet for guidance. Here are my questions: How to go about determining and addressing the gap…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• coach, communication, expectations, Laurie Richards, Long Term Relationship, LTR, motivation, truth, truthfulness

I used the Testimonial video during an info/intro session, which reminded me of a question that surfaces each time I use it. Does anybody ever teach the extended version of Minuet in G that the young male student plays in the video? I used the…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• FIS, information session, introductory session, Laurie Richards, Minuet in G, SIS, testimonial

I have a parent questioning “numbers” and how we use them as a lyric/support tool. I explained… -Occasionally we use number for sentences and patterns. -Occasionally we give numbers for rhythm -Occasional we use numbers for fingerings/positions She seems baffled by the various ways they’re…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• coaches, counting, counting as lyric, FL1, foundation 1, Fur Elise, Laurie Richards, Numbers, Ode, Ode to Joy, playing-based tools

I’m a brand new Simply Music teacher and already have a dilemma (although a fun one). A middle-aged woman who plays by ear and has a huge repertoire under her belt is looking for lessons that will help to expand her playing abilities and style.…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• adult students, curriculum, playing by ear, prior experience, Robin Keehn