Curriculum
Writing Rhythm and Graduated Levels of Difficulty
I’m just diving in the Reading Rhythm Program, and I think it is no surprise that I have come to a bit of a problem understanding how to teach writing rhythms. It is no surprise since I’ve never written rhythms myself! I hope that it…
- Last updated 7 years ago
- base tools, learning tools, long term relationships, Neil Moore, reading rhythm, relationship conversation, sticking to the program, strategies, writing rhythm
Teaching Moonlight Sonata
Does anyone know of a simplified version of Moonlight Sonata? I have a couple of students who have started to learn it, but there are a lot of stretches of an octave or more and they have small hands. Firstly, I usually suggest not learning…
- Last updated 7 months ago
- moonlight sonata, Neil Moore, teaching outside music
Success with the Reading Program
I would like to hear from the teachers who have been doing SM for many years. How and what are your students doing? How smoothly has the reading process gone for you? In my experience of taking over many students from other SM teachers, I…
- Last updated 9 years ago
How do I manage the Accompaniment Program
I need suggestions on how to liven up the Accompaniment program. Although my students like learning the chords and their structure, they are not thrilled with the idea of playing the pieces. I’ve had them bring in some of their own music, but they don’t…
- Last updated 3 years ago
- accompaniment, managing projects, popular music
About Reading, and Using the Playlist with More Advanced Students
I’m wondering if students should continue to keep up their Playlists after they have completed Time for More Music and have begun reading. I understand the value in keeping most of their Playlist alive so that they have songs in their repertoire that they can…
- Last updated 10 years ago
- accompaniment, advanced students, Amazing Grace, Development Levels, Dreams Come True, expressive playing, Gordon Harvey, Jackson Blues, Night Storm, Playlist, reading, Squidgies Boogie, The Gaz, Time for More Music
Learning Other Instruments
I have a 9 year old daughter who is learning the violin traditionally. She is doing really well with SM piano but struggling with the violin. It is a chore to get her to practice. Or maybe it’s because I find her songs and lessons…
- Last updated 6 years ago
- learning other instruments, parents anxious to read, reading, students with previous experience
Student Requests to Play Other Songs
I have a student who has just started F2, had done 4 arrangements. She is learning a few other instruments as well. She is a fast learner, able to play the new songs hands together immediately after I show her. She has asked me to…
- Last updated 6 years ago
- Accompaniment, arrangements, composition, foundation duets, Gordon Harvey, improvisation, learning a new way of learning, other songs, playlist management, songs outside the repertoire, variations
Adults who don’t like the Blues
I have an issue with an adult student in her sixties who is objecting more and more to playing the Blues. We are up to Billy at the Footy and she tells me she is just not going to learn it because it sounds horrible.…
- Last updated 10 years ago
- adults, bad memory, claiming territory, don’t like blues, forgetting, learning tools and strategies, refusing to learn songs, students writing notes
Questions from Parents – Trust the Process
I received a few questions today from a mum of a 11-12 year old girl. Because I’m reasonably new to SM, I’d truly appreciate some advice from those of you who are further down the track than me – particularly in regard to reading. Here…
- Last updated 6 years ago
- Laurie Richards, learning a new way of learning, mapping, reading music, students taking notes, trust the process
Questions from a Parent – Intonation & Register
A parent who has been with me for over 2 years asked me the following question: When and how do the students learn the basic building blocks of music? Symbols (letters & signs)? Intonations? Registers? What is she talking about? These terms sound like musical…
- Last updated 10 years ago
- building blocks of music, chords, Laurie Richards, parent questions, scale