Curriculum

When Neil says, “. . . once a student has ventured far enough into the syllabus, we routinely begin dealing with the full array of pieces from any typical classical repertoire, Moonlight Sonata included”, does “far enough into the syllabus” mean once students are somewhat…

• Last updated 5 years ago
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I have a class of 5 middle-schoolers who love music, and are trying to do every musical activity available to them. They are in Level 3. A couple of them are in the school band (actually an orchestra), and a couple of them are joining…

• Last updated 5 years ago
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I have a very motivated adult student who has nearly finished Time for More Music. She is able to figure out what most any piece of music says given enough time. She has a good grasp of intervals and knows what many of the notes…

• Last updated 5 years ago
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Is there an easy way to teach diminished 7th chords? Is it a 4-note chord? I’m thinking in terms of the way we teach chords with half and whole steps related to the triangle. Good question. The accompaniment program chord diagrams are intended to teach…

• Last updated 5 years ago
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What is the best way to handle when students request or bring in other music? I think this might have been a topic a while back! A girl brought in a pop song the other day and asked if she could learn it! I’ve never…

• Last updated 5 years ago
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I’ve just finished teaching honeydew with a group of 10-12 year olds and I would like to offer them some extra songs that they could play at home. I know some of you have a library of extra music and I’m thinking of starting something…

• Last updated 5 years ago
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Have had a blast in class this week having kids play along to the current hit song Apologize by One Republic. Only four chords (cm, Ab, Eb and Bb) so anybody who is past Scarborough Fair in the Accompaniment book could do it and anyone…

• Last updated 5 years ago
• accompaniment, accompaniment 1, accompaniment pieces, current hit songs, current music in accompaniment, hit songs, outside accompanimnent pieces, scarborough fair

Here’s another getting ready for Reading Rhythm question: Has anyone used hand drums, rhythm sticks, etc. in shared lessons when working on RR? Do you find them helpful and fun, or distracting? Where do you find a good value on quality rhythm instruments? What else…

• Last updated 5 years ago
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My 7-year-old student and her Dad showed up today with these lyrics they wrote for Night Storm with plenty of copies for all, so all day my groups sang it. A little late for Halloween week but if you have students tomorrow have some fun…

• Last updated 5 years ago
• changing lyrics, creating lyrics, Halloween, lyrics, making lyrics, making up lyrics, Night Storm

Question about “Father to Son” in Development Level 16, that is not addressed in the teacher recording. My students and I have a hard time reading the music because it is difficult to see where the staff ends and the leger lines begin. Has anyone…

• Last updated 5 years ago
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