Students
Reluctant Composer
Let me preface this by saying that I’m a new Simply Music teacher with a lot of students who transferred into SM within my studio. The students are universally enjoying the program. Most of my students participate well in the composition process, but I have…
Groups at Different Speeds
I love the concept of group lessons and would eventually wish to convert my studio over from privates to groups. I have always had my reservations but finally jumped in this fall with a group of 4 to try things out. Lesson 2 presents the…
Excelling student joins shared lesson
I’m a new teacher, so your experience would be very helpful. I have a new 16-year-old girl who worked quickly to catch up to her two friends so that she could join their shared lesson. I gave her private lessons and I believe she truly…
A Case of the Blues in Level 4
I have two students, both in Level 4, who have a bad case of the blues….a definite valley syndrome. Neither of them want to mark their playlist, let alone keep all their earlier songs alive. Both moms are very supportive Simply Music moms but they’re struggling…
Large Group at the Keyboard
I finally started teaching the continuing education workshop just last night. 14 had signed up, 11 showed up, and at least 1 of the absent people is fairly certain to join in starting next week. So I’ve got a much bigger group than what I’m…
Advanced Players in Groups
Anyone ever run into this problem of an experienced player who doesn’t fit into a group because of how much more quickly he’s going through curriculum. He’s had 5 lessons, he’s at the middle of level 3, through the accomp. book, processed most of accompaniment…
Managing Behavior
During my first day of classes yesterday, one six and a half year old girl refused to participate. She cried, lay on the floor, and was quietly disagreeable! During the lesson, I was so busy working with six other young children that I let Annika…
Just a Typical Teenager?
I just finished a lesson. It was traumatic! While it’s soooo fresh in my mind: I have a mum and her 2 daughters – 14 and 10.They all started as a group of 3 a year ago – the 14 year was leaving the others…
Controlling Shared Lessons
I’ve started teaching groups of 3 and 4 lately and I’m enjoying it for the most part. One group of 4 however always seems to be out of control. The parents are helpful in keeping them in control, but I feel like I’m often telling…
Private Lessons
Okay, so I finally quoted $150/month for private lessons. This is a girl who I have moved three times and seems not to fit with any other students. By default she has been in private but I told the mom today, that after August she…