About The Method

I want to share a technique I have been employing on Ode to Joy in Level One that has been working well. I find it takes away a little of the learning when an adult recognizes the tune mid-way into the learning. So I have…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• Ode to Joy, practice pad, teaching

In the left hand of Night Storm and Jackson Blues, some of my students leave the little finger down while playing the thumb notes correctly. They seem to focus so hard on getting the thumb movements that the little pinky sits resting! Do others have…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• controlling the events, holding finger 5, left hand, Neil Moore, Night Storm

How do you teach the melody for Honey Dew and Amazing Grace for the purpose of playing duets after they have accomplished the accompaniment? Do you use the music for those that can read just for the purpose of teaching the melody or do you…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• accompaniment, duets, honey dew melody, Neil Moore, play-by-ear

Some time back, one of our colleagues put together the attached list of simply music Tools and Strategies. It has become one of my most important tools as a simply music teacher.  The list has been introduced to all of my current students and will…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• learning a new way of learning, single thought process, tools and strategies

How do you guys do this? I spend HOURS and HOURS learning these different streams, and planning them into lessons. I’m just about to start learning Foundation 5 (I have two students right on my tail) and I can now see how wrong I’ve been…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• acc, accompaniment, arr, arrangements, blues & improv, C&I, comp & improv, Laurie Richards, lesson planning, new teacher, reading notes, reading rhythm, RN, RR, streams, teacher preparation, teacher training, teaching streams, time for training, time management, TTM

I have read the posting “Joanne Jones Tools and Strategies List” in Simpedia  “About Teaching and Learning” and appreciate the overall listing of the “Lego pieces” that can be pulled out of our” arsenal”. However, I am still curious if anyone has ever compiled a…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• learning strategies, learning tools, Learning tools form

I, too, would appreciate guidance here and a chat re: advanced students in general. When are people “done” with SM? When the foundation levels have been completed and students have done Jazz and both Accompaniment Programs, Reading and Time for Music (Reading and Playing Level…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• length of curriculum, simply music program time frame

I just had to share this nice moment from one of my lessons. I recently showed the CAGE chord to one of my students, a young boy. I had him hold his hand on the chord (the one chord) and encouraged him to find a…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• chords, description of chord shapes

I just concluded my first two Introductory Sessions. The sessions went very well and I’m excited about embarking on the teaching journey. My question is this: what is one thing (or more, if you want to elaborate) you’d share with a new teacher from your…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• new teacher advice, relationship conversation

When describing finger positions, is the octave below middle c described as low c, low d, etc? Is the next octave bass c, bass d, etc? Or do I have that backwards? I believe the octave below middle C is bass C, and then further…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• C position on piano, finger positions