Curriculum
Duet Ideas
I have been through the library of ECL posts on the topic of duets and gleaned the following ideas: Honey Dew with Melody on top Jackson Blues (or any other blues song) with blues scale improv on top Amazing Grace with melody on top Chester…
Chester Blues Duet
As I am getting students ready for the end of year recital I thought I would share this simple level one idea with you for a duet. While one student plays Chester in the normal position, another student can play Jackson Blues with changes on…
Group Composition Progression
I’ve been trying a few of Kristin Fairfield’s song writing tips lately. I tried to do the group chord progression where I ask my students to give me 4 random chords. I actually forgot to limit it to all whites or all blacks but anyway,…
Creating Medleys
I am very interested for myself and my students to create medleys. Inspired by Laurie Richards amazing SM Levels 1 through 4 medley. I’m wondering if there are special things to know besides what I already know. What I already know is that one can…
Classical Composition Projects
I have increased my own composing recently using the “Family of Chords” that Miss Murphy sent awhile back. I have found it really helpful to make songs I could sing (contemporary), blues/jazz, hymns, and accompaniments. I am now wondering about ideas to help me make…
Chinese Dreams
Hi all, Had a very bright little 7 year-old boy start lessons this summer. After learning Dreams and Dreams 2 he came back the next week with “Chinese Dreams.” He played the entire song on black keys—10 fingers over 10 notes, but all black keys, ranging…
Compound Time
Advanced Teachers: Talk to me about how to approach teaching compound time is this in relation to any particular piece? For example Greensleeves is in 6/8 and High Five is in 12/8. I would keep the explanation simple to students, but it’s basically dividing the…
Two Holiday Time Ideas
Here are two holiday ideas for you: 1) My son and I taught a community education class this week where he taught five Christmas songs in the key of C to half the class on the guitar while I was teaching the same five songs…
Silent Night Simply Music Version
Here’s an updated version of Silent Night I sent to the ECL last year. Hopefully, it will be clearer to everyone. I had beginning students playing this with no problem. One beginning student even played this in his church for Christmas. He had a wonderful…
Playing Based Christmas Hits
My students LOVED learning Carol of the Bells that Lynn Frank shared with us. It was so easy and sounded so advanced. Does anyone have another such song taught SM style? I’m looking for another WOW experience for those that did Carol of Bells last…