Curriculum

I finally figured out another easy way to remember the final RH chord of the tailpiece of Dark Blue – it is just a rearranged version of the second last RH chord. (the D moved down an octave and then of course the whole chord…

• Last updated 6 years ago
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This comes up a lot with students in Accompaniment… which way to play the chords, move them up or down? For instance in Amazing Grace students tend to go up for the F and G chords. Also, should C (or any tonic root notes) be…

• Last updated 6 years ago
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Those of you who teach very young children (age 5-6), do you use a special kind of stool for them that is different from what older students or adults use? I have 2 piano stools, the one I use for very little children is a…

• Last updated 6 years ago
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Could someone explain the “mapping” strategy? I’ve noticed it a few times in the TTM, but I’d like to make sure I understand it completely. Here is an official definition: Observing any section or piece of music as a series of shapes, and assembling those…

• Last updated 6 years ago
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Elizabeth Gaikwad, I have a question about the Chord Drill inversions. I understand that students need to have all Accomp 1 chords solid and that is the prerequisite. What I’m wondering, is how the inversions appear/are taught in Accomp 2? Will it be beneficial to…

• Last updated 6 years ago
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Question for Elizabeth Gaikwad about Chord Drill: Is there an easier way to vocalize ALL the chords when going through the drill? We get tongue-tied saying this out loud – “C# major, C# minor, C# major, C# suspended, C# major, C# major7, etc. etc. Some…

• Last updated 6 years ago
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A parent asked me tonight “when will my daughter be able to hear a song, and just know how to play it with all the chords and in the right key?” I was unsure how to answer this, so of course I told the truth,…

• Last updated 6 years ago
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I would love to start a conversation about how we might use the MAC soundtracks with our students. Some of the tracks might need some more background or learning to understand their use, but I think others could be used by most of our students…

• Last updated 6 years ago
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Right now I have several students who are simultaneously going through RR and Accompaniment Variations. As such, it *seems* like a logical step to start including swing rhythm as a variation when learning to read 8th notes (doubles). However, there is not a single discussion…

• Last updated 6 years ago
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I can’t wait to use the MAC soundtracks in my own studio. Has anyone already tried this? What ages of children are able to hear the beat within the soundtrack, and match their own playing? What tips do you have in coaching children to be…

• Last updated 6 years ago
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