Curriculum

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 12 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 12 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 12 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 6 years ago
• afterschool program, incentives, no coaches, rewards, Workshops

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.…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• group lessons, Laurie Richards, processing rhythm, shared lessons

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…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• arrangements, variations, various abilities

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…

• Last updated 9 years ago
• being right, comp and improv, composing, Honey Dew, pentatonic, perfection

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…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• 100th lesson, accompaniment, celebration, chords, comp and improv, group lessons, I-IV-V, Long Term Relationship, Playlist, reading program, valley on Level 4

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…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• accompaniment, advanced players, arrangements, comp and improv, lesson scheduling, rates, teacher responsibility, trust the method

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…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• behavior, claiming territory, composition, homeschool, improvisation, private lessons, requirements, shared lessons, teenagers