Accompaniment
Unfolding Comp/Improv, Arrangements, Accompaniment
I’m wondering about how to bring in Composition/Improvisation, Accompaniments, and Arrangements 1 for my students? I’m a pretty new teacher and my most advanced students are starting Amazing Grace in Foundation 1. When do I start to introduce these other programs? How much of each…
A Case of the Blues in Level 4
I have two students, both in Level 4, who have a bad case of the blues….a definite valley syndrome. Neither of them want to mark their playlist, let alone keep all their earlier songs alive. Both moms are very supportive Simply Music moms but they’re struggling…
Advanced Players in Groups
Anyone ever run into this problem of an experienced player who doesn’t fit into a group because of how much more quickly he’s going through curriculum. He’s had 5 lessons, he’s at the middle of level 3, through the accomp. book, processed most of accompaniment…
Teaching Accompaniments in Groups
How does one handle choice of accompaniments in a group? Do they all learn the same ones at the same time or can you have a few going at the same time? How much choice do you give the students over which accompaniment to learn…
Managing Individual Accompaniment Projects
At what point do you starting allowing students within a group to be working on different accompaniment projects from each other, i.e., one’s they’ve chosen for themselves and that not everyone is required to learn? How do you manage the process of students working on…
Moving Students to Higher Level
How do you move a student up to a class in a higher level if that class has already started a special program that the student you want to move is not ready for? For instance, I have a student who needs, wants and can…
Group Lesson Tips & Ideas
As I was making a set of cards for today’s lesson the thought occurred to me that others might like to try some of the ideas I have used so far to help with working together in group lessons. So feel free to give these a go and…
Mother and Son Sharing Lessons
I have a mom and her 12 yr old son sharing a lesson. I notice she progresses quite a bit slower than him. They are up to Fur Elise in Level 1. It took her quite awhile to get Family Dreams relatively smooth and Bishop…
Copyright Laws and Photocopies
I have had some very excited adult students who have realized that they can play other accompaniment pieces besides that in the SM books. They have been able to find music sheets with the appropriate chords for their level and have photocopied these sheets for…
Keeping it Interesting for Teens
I have just taken on a student with 6 years traditional experience. She’s 13. Her mother says that getting her to practice and attend her traditional lessons was becoming a bone of contention within the family and she is rebelling. She basically hates piano and…