Curriculum
Jazz Clues: Voicing extended chords – Neil Moore
Some questions from the Jazz program… Using Jazz Clue 3, in “Here to Stay” the Bmin7-5 has a C not a C# right? It sounds better to me with C (which would be a -9). So RH is CDF, correct? Also, the E7-9 is RH…
Naturally Occurring 3s and 4s
Would someone please explain exactly what “naturally occurring 3’s and 4’s” means? I’ve watched videos in which this concept is mentioned, but maybe I’ve missed something along the way. Is it breaking down a scale into groups of three and four notes? Do you start…
Happy Birthday
The recent video of Neil teaching Happy Birthday the Simply Music way is fantastic! Easy to remember and transpose in any key, I taught all my students in just a couple minutes yesterday in class and they loved it! Video link: How to Play Happy Birthday in…
Integrating Arrangements/Variations with Foundation pieces
I have the teacher training for Arrangements 1, but I’m not sure how to integrate teaching the arrangements with teaching Foundation songs. Is there a published order that we can follow? Experienced teachers, how do you manage teaching Arrangements and Variations? So they come back…
Permission to print lyrics to SM songs
For a piano party or recital, do we have permission to print lyrics to SM foundation songs? I know the kids know the lyrics, but some non-coach parents, grandparents, and friends may not. I would love for people to sing along with accompaniment pieces especially.…
Fingering for all blues scales
Blues & Improv – is there a method for fingering the blues scale in other keys? I understand developing the shapes, but do we just find the most comfortable way of fingering? C: RH 1 2 3 4 1 3 1 2 3 4 1…
Question about Touch of Jazz songs
Is there any reason why “Solace of the Wind” and “Here to Stay” are played so differently on the audio than the written music? I’m sure students are going to be asking me about that. They sound very different than how I played it from…
Jazz Clue 2 question
I’m processing Jazz Clue 2 in my Touch of Jazz book and have a question. Do you use the minor 7th for all chords except Major 7th chords? i.e. 13th chords, 11th chords, diminished, etc. If it says Maj7, play major 7. If it says…
Organizing workshops
I have five kids signed up to do my summer workshop: three 8-year-olds, a 6-year-old, and a 5-year-old. I know the 5-year-old is very active and has a short attention span even for her age. Should I do two small groups or all in one?…
Accompaniment Variation 22
I’m reviewing Accompaniment Variations project/variation 22 and have this question – does the “top up” chord work only for major chords? Or does it work for other chord types too? I tried it with a minor chord but it doesn’t sound right. Stick with major…