Curriculum
Outside Repertoire for Reading
Hi friends, I’d like to start a thread about outside pieces we’ve used during the Development program as reading projects. I know it’s tailored to the students’ interest at this point in the curriculum, but let’s share some ideas for those who need some ‘inspiration’.…
Writing Down Compositions
I would like to have the written sheet music for my student’s compositions. A few are asking how I or they can do this. I need something VERY simple and reasonably priced… I used Finale in college and it was challenging and very time consuming.…
Songs for Children and other Resources
I’m looking for input from teachers who are familiar with the Songs for Children program, whether they’ve chosen to use it in their studios or not. I’d like to hear from those who love it and from others who’ve chosen different resources to expand the…
Read ‘n Play Workbook Volume One
Does this work book start at the same time as students begin RR or is it introduced when they are up to the Naming Notes page? Asking this as I don’t have time to listen to training before a possible issue of the book to…
Relating to the Broader Physical Aspects of Playing Piano
On July 13th, Laura wrote a series of questions. Neil Moore briefly responds to these. 1) Bench Height: if I don’t have an adjustable bench, how do I deal with students who are smaller and have very bent arms to play (looks very uncomfortable). On…
Vocalization of Rhythms
In response to the following question: “I am finding that my students have a knowledge of singles, doubles and quads in their traditional form of Ta, Te-te and tigger-tigger (or any variation of these). The schools seem to teach this in their music classes. I…
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…
Thoughts about Teaching Seniors
A couple of weeks ago there was quite a bit of discussion here about teaching older students. This may have been addressed, but I had a conversation with a dear teacher last week about how strict we all seem to be about requiring that everyone…
Singing while Playing – Neil Moore
It’s good if students sing and play, and it is no issue whatsoever if they don’t. I request it, I encourage it, I never require it. I heard a statistic once (don’t quote me!!), that on people’s list of things they feared most, singing in…
Top 40 Playlist
I have a lot of students in the Development Levels (10-18). My requirement is that they have their “Top 40” or an hour’s worth of music that they can just sit down and play. I require them to keep a lot of the more…