Curriculum
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…
My 9 year-old ‘Advanced’ Student
I have an advanced student who is 9 years old and has been playing for about 4-5 years in a traditional method. Reading is fair, but he has been playing by ear for years, and his overall ability and absorption rate is staggering. I’m starting…
Parent is pushing reading
I have read through the teachers’ library on the topic of “Transitioning Traditional Students.” I have a parent who still wants to know more details on the note reading aspect of the SM program. I am only through Foundation Level one and do not have…
Young Students Dropping Out
This week, after one month of lessons, two 7-year-old students dropped out. The one mother was very upset. She started by saying “We have some terrible news”. She even filled out the evaluation sheet even though the little girl only knew one song. It was…
Students Leaving After Learning To Read
I have taken a few students through the Reading process, and I believe it has been very successful. I am currently working through Time For More Music and Jazz 1 with some of those students. Other students, having achieved “reading”, and having a huge repertoire,…
Losing Students in Level 1
I have had the great pleasure of taking 3 students through Level 1 and 8 others through the first 4 songs in Level 1. I love the curriculum, and I am so glad I switched from the traditional method, but I’m really beginning to get…
Reading Rhythm SHM for Multiple Family Members
Can someone tell me if two siblings can share the SHM for reading rhythm, or is there something they write in? Also, the new Read ‘n’ Play, that’s something that gets written into right? So they would each need their own? With regard to Reading…
How to Remedy a Sloppy Playlist
I have a group of adults where one is much faster than the others. I finally moved the faster one out of that group… should have done it sooner. Meanwhile, I moved too fast for the slower two people, partly because I wanted to make…
Variations & Arrangements – Taking Notes
I have a questions about writing notes for Variations/Arrangements. I understand clearly from all my training materials that there are no support materials for this, and I am not to let them write down notes or clues for how the songs went. So, I am…
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…