Playing-Based Methodology

As a new SM teacher, it is sometimes hard to understand why songs are placed in a particular order. Would it matter if I switched Amazing Grace and Honey Dew? It seems to me that Amazing Grace is perhaps easier, since it only uses the…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• changing teaching order, design of program, teaching order

I was reading in Simpedia  about Managing Time in lessons. I copied down a list (partially shown below) that suggested the order to teach SM projects. I noticed that I may be moving through Accompaniments too fast. I think I spend too much time on accompaniment and…

• Last updated 4 years ago
• Accompaniment‏, coaching, foundation pieces, Gordon Harvey, lesson planning, multiple project management, multiple projects, order, order of arrangements, order of teaching arrangements, Robin Keehn, shared lessons, song order, time management

I recently reviewed the Composition & Improvisation training materials for a second time now. I’m very clear that the point here is not to be very formal and structured about giving assignments in the same way as with the other tracks of the program. However,…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• composition, Dreams Come True, Honey Dew, improvisation ideas, Night Storm

One of my frustrations is that most students seem to forget the arrangements, sometimes after working hard to learn them. Naturally it’s from lack of practice, but the arrangements are easier to forget since they’re not written down. Adults especially have trouble even remembering them…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• arrangements, generative, Gordon Harvey, Playlist, remembering arrangements, self generative

Any ideas for me on how to learn arrangements quicker, better, easier? Auditory learning solely is not my forte. Do not give up on learning from the audio recordings. No you are not the only one that has found the audio tapes a slower means…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• arrangements, Gordon Harvey, learning, learning slowly, single thought process

I would like to respond to both of the following Forum questions. (And having read through my own response, wish to apologize in advance for some of my long, wordy sentences.) Question 1: “….. are we allowed to photocopy the music of the Arrangements to…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• arrangements, fragments, learning a new way of learning, musicality, Neil Moore, patterns, shapes

I’ve been meaning to ask this since after the symposium. I remember Robin Keehn saying that she doesn’t necessarily play what her most advanced student plays. I guess my question is how early/late into the program would it be ok for the teacher to just…

• Last updated 6 years ago
• advanced music, coaching, developing as a teacher, generative, identifying patterns, playing-based tools, reading, Robin Keehn, teacher development

Our family just got back from a weekend at the New Hampshire Highland Games (USA) which featured workshops on learning to play the Folk Harp. Over the course of the day we learned 3 – 5 songs to play as solos or group ensembles made…

• Last updated 6 years ago
• fragmenting, other instruments, patterns, playing-based

How do you all use the audio recordings in weekly lessons? Can you give me some ideas? I set aside some lesson time. Go to the website and open the audio recordings. Explain that most students take a while to get the hang of using…

• Last updated 6 years ago
• Accompaniment‏, Audio recordings, lessons, training students, using audio recordings

I have an adult student who has been SO keen and enthusiastic and constantly comes back saying that he has gone further into the video, and taught himself, pieces we have not covered yet. I have explained a few times that this is not acceptable.…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• claiming territory, coaches, moving ahead on video, Playlist, previous experience, Robin Keehn, shared lessons, students, trusting the method