Curriculum

I have noticed with a number of my students that when they have first learned a song, they play it well; i.e. clean, mistake-free, musical, etc. Then when it becomes a part of the playlist and they play it repeatedly over a period of time…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• claiming territory, cross pollination, playing deteriorating, recording pieces

Could I have some advice on how and when to introduce the pedal correctly with my students? It’s a potentially contentious issue, but my view is that whereas traditionally the default status of the pedal is usually ‘off’, I suggest reinventing the default position as…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• Dreams Come True, Neil Moore, pedal use

I also started teaching last fall. Another teacher in my area (Dixie Cramer) had a great idea that I have been using. As the students start to get anxious to learn how to read notes, she gives them a list of things they have to…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• accompaniment, Amazing Grace, Greensleeves, Honey Dew, pedal, Pedal Workshop, rainbow pedaling, The Pipes

This is my eighth week of teaching Simply Music and I have been asking students to start holding down the pedal with Night Storm, as this is what I understood Neil to indicate. I have read through everything in the Forums on the pedal as…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• accompaniment, Gordon Harvey, pedal, pedal recording, teacher workshop

In response to a question regarding the purpose of the pedals on a piano. The pedals serve these functions: Right pedal is of course the sustain pedal. On a baby grand, the left pedal (or the ‘soft’ pedal) actually shifts the entire ‘action’ mechanism (the…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• bass sustain pedal, Leon Moore, pedal, sostenuto pedal

I’m wondering when other teachers are introducing overlapping pedal technique with the right (damper) pedal. I know this can vary from student to student and tends to be age related. My teen students tend to grasp the concept quickly, but I find it seems to…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• accompaniment, Amazing Grace, Dreams Arrangement, Honey Dew, I’ll Be There, Night Storm, pedal, Pedal Workshop, rainbow pedaling, self expression, technique

I need some help in responding to some concerns from a couple of student’s parents (who have been talking to each other, by the way)! These 2 students have had approximately 145 lessons. One student is right on target according to the curriculum overview, and…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• accompaniment, generative learning, improvisation, musicianship, pace, Playlist, reading program, shared lessons, sight reading, Time for More Music, traditional lessons

I’d like to briefly introduce a slightly different perspective on the issue of parent frustration with shared lessons. I can think of another concern those parents may have. As well as the somewhat misguided concerns about students showing that they understand their new material, or…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• group lesson, musical expression, musicality, parent concerns, Playlist

I love the Reading Rhythm Program and the idea of generative learning. I wanted to add an experience I recently had regarding generative learning. I use the words frequently in class always explaining the difference to my students as we go, and they love learning…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• generative tools, rhythm

I have been approached about teaching students in an afterschool program. Does anyone else teach in such a program? I am concerned that the parents would not be there during the lesson. I am looking for any suggestions. I did it in the fall and…

• Last updated 4 years ago
• afterschool program, incentives, no coaches, rewards, Workshops