Playing-Based Methodology

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

If the agreement that we (as teachers) signed says we can’t teach other methods in addition to Simply Music, does that mean we can’t use other music books (not Simply Music) to teach the same method? I have a student who is almost ready to…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• Laurie Richards, license, Neil Moore, outside materials, reading

One of my new students is progressing quite well but she says she doesn’t find all the reference clues helpful although I take time to explain them. Some she gets but not others. Tonight when I was teaching Chester Chills Out, she said she needed…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• claiming territory, diagrams, Laurie Richards, reference clues, trusting the process

  I’ve been batting around an idea that occurred to me since watching the SMD video announcements earlier this week. Neil says this at one point near the end (thanks to Sue Lopez for the transcription!): “We have the opportunity to play a contributing role…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• composition, creativity, Gordon Harvey, improvisation, Laurie Richards, STEM

My daughter is in a Steiner (“Waldorf”) school here in Southern California, and I’m starting to get inquiries from families at her school. Here’s my question to you, and to any Simply Music teachers who may have come across this — the majority of Waldorf/Steiner…

• Last updated 11 years ago
• anti-screen, learning without video, video, waldorf

A couple of weeks ago there was quite a bit of discussion here about teaching older students. This may have been addressed, but I had a conversation with a dear teacher last week about how strict we all seem to be about requiring that everyone…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• remembering arrangements, Robin Keehn, seniors

I am just covering my bases/honesty here – I just had a student inform me via email that she only enjoys learning the video-supported material and wonders if I can teach her only this, or if I know a teacher who teaches only the SHM…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• adult students, claiming territory, complete curriculum, foundation, Laurie Richards

I have a question about the reading process. One of my groups is in Time for More Music and has just begun to source from their own material for reading. I understand we’re supposed to give correct doses. But let’s say that the dose for…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• dose, Gordon Harvey, Laurie Richards, Time for More Music

I am starting to feel uncomfortable with the reading process.  I know and understand the whole reason behind delaying the process, but I’m finding kids and parents are starting to feel anxious – yes the playlist is an issue and always a problem.  I’ve tried…

• Last updated 11 years ago
• delaying reading, Gordon Harvey, Laurie Richards, reading, Robin Keehn