Claiming Territory
Redefining ‘Learning Difficulties’
I had a first grade student in her first shared lesson. This was her first SM music lesson, but she has had previous Suzuki lessons. She just covered her ears and refused to participate after the first instruction. I visited with her mother after the…
Playlist Review
The question has come up, “How do I review the playlist each week in a timely manner?” I’d like to suggest some things and open this up to more of you contributing your ideas of how to manage this important component of lessons. If…
Teaching Foundation Only?
I am just covering my bases/honesty here – I just had a student inform me via email that she only enjoys learning the video-supported material and wonders if I can teach her only this, or if I know a teacher who teaches only the SHM…
Value of Accompaniment
I have an adult student who has had 7 lessons now. She is a very fast learner. She can play 11 songs at this point. (I have thrown in a couple extra accompaniments.) I would like some advice on helping her see the value of…
Accompaniment, Boys & Singing
I have a group of six boys (three families) in a lesson, and I have been having a time getting them to sing with accompaniments during practice time at home. They’re a pretty quiet group (and two are my little brothers, which can really make…
Ode to Joy & Controlling the Events
Hi everyone! Can you help me? Re: C section to Ode to Joy. I’m not sure if the problem is that I am not ‘controlling the events’ even when teaching each little bit, even each sentence in the right hand as well in putting hands…
Alma Mater Blues 2nd Section
I have a young girl who is not quite 7 years old. She is in the second week of level 2 and I introduced the 2nd section of Alma Mater Blues to her this week. She went through 99% of Level 1 like a champ.…
Learning Songs from the Audio Recordings
Under the subject of “claiming territory” are we to ask that students don’t try to sound out songs from the audio recordings? I have had a few students who have assured me they are not watching the video ahead of time but are trying to…
Training Students To Use the SHM Videos
I have a tablet in my studio as a tool to help me deal with excuses/struggles that students sometimes come back with in regards to their homework being incomplete. When a student comes to lessons, and I ask them to play their home work, and…
Controlling the Events
I’ve been teaching Simply Music for about 9 months. I started with teaching only private lessons, then I have added 2 shared lessons with 2 students in each. By fall I hope to feel comfortable enough to add groups of 3 & 4. But I…