Curriculum
Masters of Rhythm Game
We had some fun in one of my classes last week. This group recently started processing rhythm tracks in RR. I decided to try some syllables other than “bum bum”‘s. We used their names. There are 3 in that class – Grant, Anna, and Reagan.…
Working with Various Levels in Class
Has anyone had students in the same class, in the same foundation level, but doing different variations, arrangements, etc? I am just thinking that no matter how equally you relate the information, some students (in the same class) will want something extra. Does anyone do…
Reluctant Composer
Let me preface this by saying that I’m a new Simply Music teacher with a lot of students who transferred into SM within my studio. The students are universally enjoying the program. Most of my students participate well in the composition process, but I have…
A Case of the Blues in Level 4
I have two students, both in Level 4, who have a bad case of the blues….a definite valley syndrome. Neither of them want to mark their playlist, let alone keep all their earlier songs alive. Both moms are very supportive Simply Music moms but they’re struggling…
Advanced Players in Groups
Anyone ever run into this problem of an experienced player who doesn’t fit into a group because of how much more quickly he’s going through curriculum. He’s had 5 lessons, he’s at the middle of level 3, through the accomp. book, processed most of accompaniment…
Just a Typical Teenager?
I just finished a lesson. It was traumatic! While it’s soooo fresh in my mind: I have a mum and her 2 daughters – 14 and 10.They all started as a group of 3 a year ago – the 14 year was leaving the others…
Teaching Arrangements to Groups
How do you go about teaching arrangements to a group of 5? They don’t have SHMs, so do you mostly have them learn through watching. But how do you process it into their fingers at the lesson? Do you have them each take a turn…
Teaching Accompaniments in Groups
How does one handle choice of accompaniments in a group? Do they all learn the same ones at the same time or can you have a few going at the same time? How much choice do you give the students over which accompaniment to learn…
Managing Individual Accompaniment Projects
At what point do you starting allowing students within a group to be working on different accompaniment projects from each other, i.e., one’s they’ve chosen for themselves and that not everyone is required to learn? How do you manage the process of students working on…
Moving Students to Higher Level
How do you move a student up to a class in a higher level if that class has already started a special program that the student you want to move is not ready for? For instance, I have a student who needs, wants and can…