Practicing & Playlists
Dropping Songs off the Playlist
I am wishing to discuss whether or not teachers begin to drop songs from the playlist when it has begun to get over 40 songs. As I have not gone past the Reading Program (rhythm and notes ) I’m not sure which songs are really…
Adult Students Marking the Playlist
I am wondering about how other teachers find getting adults to tick the playlist. Especially men look at me with that “Not going to happen, lady” look in their eye. I am finding that retired women seem happy enough to do it, and some personality…
Variations & Arrangements – Taking Notes
I have a questions about writing notes for Variations/Arrangements. I understand clearly from all my training materials that there are no support materials for this, and I am not to let them write down notes or clues for how the songs went. So, I am…
Keeping Notes to a Minimum & Managing Projects
I would like to add to what Neil has said about “Writing Notes” and “Managing Projects” by sharing my experiences of these issues in the hope of helping new teachers. WRITING NOTES I was a “traditional” piano teacher before becoming a Simply Music teacher. When…
Bringing Student Home Materials to Lessons
I’m just finishing up the training for the new Playlist/Notes books (which seem really great & I echo all your comments that Sheri & Jy are fantastic!). However, I had a big question come to mind. They mentioned bringing ONLY the playlist/notes books to class.…
Mastery of Tools
I recently had a conversation with all my students, no matter what level they were in, that I think they all found very valuable for their future learning. This is long but I think you might find it as valuable as my studio has. And…
Going Slowly
I had a huge reminder this week that we can’t always see where we are going to end up with students. Remember the story that Einstein failed math?? People are different and the overview is just a suggestion. What brought this home to me: I…
Using Rewards in Lessons
Would you be interested in a discussion about the effect of using rewards? I’m referring to the issues Neil brings up on the recording, Moving Forward– that it’s difficult to have the kind of relationship needed to support long term progress if you use lollies.…
Offering Students Rewards
Regarding ‘intrinsic’ or ‘extrinsic’ motivation as a teaching practice, I am one of those teachers who doesn’t like to use what I consider to be bribes (i.e. lollipops, smiley faces, whatever) to get a child to practice. I can see the distinction between a ‘bribe’…
Chat – Managing Practice
Kevin M (USA) Who wants to ask the first question? Nancy L (USA) how do you get a 17 year old boy who just learned how to drive to practice? Ha! Rhea P (Aus) Well, I do struggle a bit with getting some kids to…