Curriculum
Encouragement for new teacher
I just finished my initial teacher training program, and I’ve started on Accompaniment 1 and Arrangements 1. So much more to learn! It’s great, and I’m overwhelmed. I have a 6-year-old student who has spent a month learning sentence 1 of Dreams, and a 13-year-old…
Student having trouble reading diagrams
I’d like some advice about my 7-year-old student who previously had about one year of lesson (traditional) in China and can already play some lovely classical pieces (reading). I explained why we do not read notes, and she and her parents accept this as far…
Accompaniment/Chord learning games
Could anyone offer some ideas for accompaniment / chord learning games? 1) Create some laminated practice pads to use dry-erase markers on. Call out major chords and have students draw and connect the dots on the practice pad. 2) Have chord races (may not want…
Fingers 4 & 5
One of my students wants to understand the mechanics behind his fingers as he plays. Is there a good resource for this? Also, does anyone know a good way of explaining why finger 4 is not quite as cooperative as the others? Is it simply…
Accompaniment workshops
I am wondering if any of you have thought about doing an Accompaniment Workshop for current or potential students as a 4 – 6 week affair like we do ‘ordinary’ Workshops? I love Accompaniment, have done lots of it and would love to perhaps do…
Working with lead sheets and melody
I was trying to help a student with a lead sheet incorporating the melody with harmony (5ths and 7ths). We have not started Jazz yet, sort of jumping ahead, but I was wondering how to approach split chords in this fashion, such as C/Bb? I…
Identifying composer of SM songs – Neil Moore
I have a student who is working on Tear for a Friend. He noticed that in Level 1, the materials say when it’s a song written by Neil, but somewhere between then and Tear for a Friend, that stopped happening. He wants to know: 1.…
Student requests for “inappropriate” music
I had my first request today from a young student for dubstep music. And another this week for a movie theme song that has received reviews as the most depressing movie. Yikes…how do you handle these requests? I’m prepared to say I don’t teach those…
When are 9th chords taught?
Can anyone tell me if 9th chords are taught in Accompaniment 2? The +9 chord is in Accompaniment 1. Yes, I have the add9 chord from Accompaniment 1, but not the 9th chord. The 9th chord is covered in Blues & Improvisation and can then…
Using SM sheet music to supplement playing-based learning
I have a piano student who has already been introduced to sight reading from a former teacher. Is there any reason they can’t learn the song via pattern playing first, then switch over to the sheet music instead of waiting until level 4 or 5?…