Curriculum
Copyright Laws and Photocopies
I have had some very excited adult students who have realized that they can play other accompaniment pieces besides that in the SM books. They have been able to find music sheets with the appropriate chords for their level and have photocopied these sheets for…
Improvisation – Rhythm Ideas
Just thought I would share this from a couple of my teenage boy students who do music at our local high school. To help with improvisation do the rhythm of Baa Baa Black Sheep and be bold as generally people won’t know if you make a mistake!!…
Improv Ideas
So I’ve come up with a number of my own improv ideas, poured over Sheri Reingold’s Games presentation/handout as I’d mentioned, and also reviewed all Simpedia items after searching on “improv.” Still, obviously I recently shared an improv idea — the “talking melody” — that…
Composition & Improvisation
I recently reviewed the Composition & Improvisation training materials for a second time now. I’m very clear that the point here is not to be very formal and structured about giving assignments in the same way as with the other tracks of the program. However,…
Remembering Arrangements
One of my frustrations is that most students seem to forget the arrangements, sometimes after working hard to learn them. Naturally it’s from lack of practice, but the arrangements are easier to forget since they’re not written down. Adults especially have trouble even remembering them…
Playing the Arrangements as Duets
Dreams Arrangement 1 This is the version of Dreams which is in the Accompaniment style, and consists of chords in the RH and single notes in the LH. Your students can either sing Dreams Come True with it, or do a duet and have another…
Learning Arrangements
Any ideas for me on how to learn arrangements quicker, better, easier? Auditory learning solely is not my forte. Do not give up on learning from the audio recordings. No you are not the only one that has found the audio tapes a slower means…
Learning Arrangements Without Using Support Materials
I would like to respond to both of the following Forum questions. (And having read through my own response, wish to apologize in advance for some of my long, wordy sentences.) Question 1: “….. are we allowed to photocopy the music of the Arrangements to…
Keeping it Interesting for Teens
I have just taken on a student with 6 years traditional experience. She’s 13. Her mother says that getting her to practice and attend her traditional lessons was becoming a bone of contention within the family and she is rebelling. She basically hates piano and…
Teens and Piano
I have a handful of teen students most of whom have switched over to SM from traditional experience. I have to say that they cover the gamut of ability, interest and practice regiment. This is a very challenging age group because I have a couple…