Curriculum
Advice for Student who Already Reads Rhythm
I have an adult student that can already read some (childhood traditional lessons) that I recently started in Reading Rhythm. She is having trouble playing 5SS on the first few pages of the MOR book. She is only playing one finger because she says that’s…
Managing Appropriate Progress
I have been in this situation many times – i.e. students who are only marginally behind my own playing ability. Sometimes I’ve kind of fudged it by avoiding playing the entire piece, if it isn’t sounding smooth yet but I can still teach chunks of…
Knowing a Student’s Background
Hello, I am a new S/M teacher and learner. I have learned through level 3, although I have just ordered level 4 and rhythm. I am having difficulty in the following way: I have a new student, an old student, and a middle aged student.…
Student with Advanced Composition Skills
I am a new teacher; I started my first lessons this month. I have a student, 15 years old, who has been composing his own music for quite some time. I know I have plenty to teach him in other areas, but I have no idea…
Assessing Experience; Lesson Content Ideas
I have a student who will be starting with 8 years experience, not a great reader, usually reads just enough to figure out a piece and then just plays it from memory. I need to know how to excel an advanced student. Does one still…
Advanced Student in Groups
I have just had a call from an adult student with 10 years traditional background as a child, who, since seeing more advanced students playing at the my first recent piano concert, she is eager to get ahead and move faster with the program, feeling…
Learning Classics The Simply Music Way
Recently I was looking for a copy of Für Elise online when I can across “Asturias (Leyenda) by Isaac Albeniz. It is the Prelude to his Cantos de Espana Op. 232 No.1. (Spanish Songs) I was totally unfamiliar with this piece before seeing it online.…
Introducing Christmas Pieces
My students are all entering their fourth week of lessons, and some are learning Jackson Blues or Honey Dew this week. Several of the adults and older teens have asked whether they will be able to learn any Christmas music. I can see that would…
Workshop Questions
I have two five year old special needs boys. One, C ,was exposed to drugs in Utero and probably has developmental issues but has not been diagnosed yet. J, the other boy has Williams Syndrome. They are very different from one another. C is very…
Wrist Position – Technique
I have a student whose grandmother has the whole family concerned about the position wrists are held while playing. While I have often reminded students to lower shoulders, or alter the wrist position to try to increase their comfort, I haven’t really noticed anything obvious…