Curriculum

I want to share a technique I have been employing on Ode to Joy in Level One that has been working well. I find it takes away a little of the learning when an adult recognizes the tune mid-way into the learning. So I have…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• Ode to Joy, practice pad, teaching

Can someone explain why Neil has changed the melody of Ode to Joy (beginning w a half note E instead of two repeated E’s) and leaving off the quicker notes at the endings! I understand it might be for rhythmic ease, but if students want…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• Ode to Joy Melody Question

I call mistakes that work out well “happy accidents”. And this was a big one created by a brand new 8-year-old student of mine while rehearsing her recital piece, Night Storm, during class. She calls the piece I.N.C. (Introduction, Night Storm, Conclusion) and gave me…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• new variation, Night Storm

I notice that the written notes are different from what is shown on the SHM video, in that the written reference includes a Dm chord, as well as the repeat symbol. I’m just wondering why the two don’t match up. I can see that some…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• Honey Dew, video and book different

I have an adult student who is having a difficult time internalizing the beat and feel of Chester’s Samba. I teach her via Skype (actually ooVoo), so I’m not able to help her by physically tapping on her shoulder or anything like that. Also, since…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• chester chills out, level 1, variations

I’ve been having some of my students add grace notes to the “top bottom” part of Chester Chills Out. In other words, in C position, instead of just playing G-C, I have them play grace note F# before the G. In the other positions, the…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• chester chills out, grace notes, variations

I have always played the I chord of Bishop Street Blues with my third finger in the middle rather than finger two, and a lot of my students find that easier too. Is there any reason why they shouldn’t? I recommend staying with using the…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• bishop street blues, fingering, Neil Moore

I’ve noticed that a number of my students have trouble getting the rhythm right in Alma Mater Blues. The left and right hands are properly coordinated but the RH is played evenly rather than with a swinging feeling when the hands are played together. However,…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• Alma Mater Blues, control the events, Gordon Harvey, relearning, rhythm

Can someone describe (in general terms) how “development” (levels 10 – 18) differs from foundation (levels 1 – 9)? Student Home Materials Levels 10 through 18 consist simply of books of music (notation). There is no outside support via videos or audio recordings, etc. At…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• Development Levels, Foundation levels, generative learning, Gordon Harvey

I want to find a CD with a 12 Bar Blues on it to play for young kids. My point is to illustrate that this pattern is used all the time by recording musicians – and they are now “members of the club” because they…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• 12 Bar blues, blues recordings to play along with