One of my new students (a 16 year old, very disciplined at practicing, and he and his Dad both love SM so far, he is on Jackson Blues) just told me today that he is also learning some extra songs (songs he likes and knows from movies, etc.) from YouTube clips that show you which notes to play and with which finger numbers, etc. NOT with music score but just note letter names etc. ... he is…
I'm about to acquire a young Muslim man who delayed beginning because of driving 40 minutes to my studio on low calories during Ramadan. That's fine with me. I'm just thinking when Ramadan comes around next year the issue will rise again. He’s a pharmacist and wanted his lesson after work - the hungry times I guess. I'm wondering how other teachers schedule for Ramadan? Is he in a shared lesson? I…
Online self-study piano courses and YouTube instructional videos are here to stay. There are populations of people who can benefit from those, who otherwise would not have the opportunity to, or choose to, learn with a teacher. We as educators are still a vital resource for everyone else; however we must learn to embrace the benefits of self-study programs while clearly communicating the benefits of what we offer with Simply Music lessons. Topics include: Introduction: Technological Transformations (00:05) Technology in…
In this webinar we discuss the inevitability of technological advances, how those can affect our teaching studios, and the critical nature of remaining relevant and influential as music educators. Topics include: Introduction (00:05) What Does it Mean to be “Relevant”? (03:29) Paradox of Technology in Music Education (10:35) Role of Technology in Marketing (13:58) Technology in the Teaching Environment (19:17) How Do We Compete with Online Learning Platforms? (26:00) Teacher Question: Students Wanting Different Circumstances in Lessons (37:01) Teacher YouTube…
I had a nice conversation with a mother on the phone last week and thought for sure she'd sign up. She was sold on Simply Music (we never met in person and there was no FIS). Here is the email she sent when I followed up with her. I have so many thoughts about this, some I will tell her and some I'll just keep to myself. Just wondering what others think about it and how…
Here's my response to a question in the Forums about how to transition students from our Learn-at-Home program into in-person or online Simply Music Piano lessons: https://youtu.be/T4VuAPnbf08
How do you teach online? Is it private lessons or can you set up groups? How do you charge? I've got folks from another state, where I'm from, wishing I could teach them. I've done both private and group lessons online, and I charge the same amount as I do for in person lessons. I have both local and out-of-state students who learn from me online. I use a program called…
We have bought a house in another town and will be moving in the fall. I am hoping to continue with my students via Skype, but have never done this. Advice and suggestions welcome! I do FaceTime lessons with a student who used to live close enough for live lessons who now lives in Nepal, and another who is now in Virginia, as well as grandchildren. The hardest things for me…
Hi Everyone, I am going to be starting my first online student (my mom). I've been doing some investigating of cameras, ways to connect, etc., and am looking for a bit of input. If you have any thoughts about the following, I'd welcome the help. I'm on a Mac and my mom's on a PC (bummer). We both also have 1st gen iPads (no camera or mic) and iPhones (4). We tried using our phones as…
I received a call about teaching Simply Music at a school that’s 45 minutes away, and had a few questions if this would even work. Two of the students moved here from Australia and loved learning piano through the Simply Music method. Their traditional piano teacher is no longer there. The school is used to charging a flat amount per semester (instead of a monthly fee), and the parents traditionally never accompanied the children for their lessons. When I briefly explained the…
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