Curriculum
Compound Time
Advanced Teachers: Talk to me about how to approach teaching compound time is this in relation to any particular piece? For example Greensleeves is in 6/8 and High Five is in 12/8. I would keep the explanation simple to students, but it’s basically dividing the…
Two Holiday Time Ideas
Here are two holiday ideas for you: 1) My son and I taught a community education class this week where he taught five Christmas songs in the key of C to half the class on the guitar while I was teaching the same five songs…
Silent Night Simply Music Version
Here’s an updated version of Silent Night I sent to the ECL last year. Hopefully, it will be clearer to everyone. I had beginning students playing this with no problem. One beginning student even played this in his church for Christmas. He had a wonderful…
Playing Based Christmas Hits
My students LOVED learning Carol of the Bells that Lynn Frank shared with us. It was so easy and sounded so advanced. Does anyone have another such song taught SM style? I’m looking for another WOW experience for those that did Carol of Bells last…
Carol of the Bells
Here is the teaching process for Carol of the Bells as best as I can describe in writing. It is truly very easy to learn. Contact me if you have questions! Introduction: Hand position: Thumbs of BH on A RH: Use “top” four fingers envision…
Identifying I, IV, V Chords in Minor Keys
Recently a teacher asked about minor chords, specifically whether our ‘Accompaniment Clues Trick’ for identifying I, IV and V chords in Major Keys, applies equally to discovering the minor chords in any key. The simple, immediate and accurate answer to this is, “Yes”. I want…
Chord Progression Worksheet – Drawing out Creativity
For those who did not attend the KC conference this weekend or those who missed the session on Drawing out Creativity – I have been asked to briefly explain what the worksheet was about. This attached worksheet is simply a starter page I have provided…
Australian Waterfall
I’ve heard mention of Australian Waterfall. I think it’s a variation on one of the Foundation songs??? I’ve been collecting those ideas from the ECL but didn’t find it there, so would someone have a description of that to share? Australian “Waterfall Song”; also known…
O Canada Accompaniment
I sat down this afternoon and worked out accompaniment chords to O Canada and thought I would offer it to any other Canadian (presumably) teachers who might want it. I have an easy version using the chords: C, G, Am, F, G7, D, Dm, E…
Arrangement Copyright and How It Applies To Public Domain Pieces
Hi all, here is a very important message. As more and more pieces come into Public Domain, we see an emerging number of new arrangements of those pieces being made available. I want to make very clear what Simply Music’s position is regarding Copyright as…