Practicing & Playlists
Writing extra notes for Arrangements
In the Arrangements 1 program, I have reviewed the material and it says that the content is not to be supplemented with written notes. Is this referring to the types of notes depicted in the reference section of the Foundation levels, or notes we write…
Playlist management
The biggest struggle I have with my students is the playlist. Most of them are not interested in using it, forget, or just don’t do it despite my best efforts. Keeping their songs instantly playable is an ongoing problem and uses more lesson time than…
Using win/lose games
I had kids earn points from cards they picked for playlist check. Some kids started to cry because they didn’t win their cards even with a prep talk about why they should not be so serious about winning or losing a game. Personally I set…
Students are slacking on playlist
I need someone to touch base with. Most of my students are coming to the end of level 2 and are in the middle of the accompaniment book (I added this during the summer) and can do easy improv. That blues scale goes a long…
Discontinuing lessons with non-progressing student
I have to have “that” conversation to discontinue lessons. I currently teach a lovely little boy (8 years old) who is just not progressing. It has a lot to do with lack of coaching at home but also low muscle tone I think. He has…
Advanced students and the playlist
I think it’s time for me to allow my most advanced students (they’re near the end of Level 5) to prune their playlists. Does anyone have a list of songs you require your students to maintain, either because we will continue to build on them…
Keeping students practicing during break
Due to personal reasons, I will be taking a month off of teaching. Any tips I can pass along to parents, so students don’t lose ground during the break? Perhaps a 30-day challenge. Play every day for 30 days. A composition a week…and each class…
How much to review with transfer student?
How would you suggest handling a transfer student from another teacher who left off in Level 4, yet has had a year and a half break? Start at the beginning with Dreams? My gut feeling is telling me to do that. Review all the previous…
Playlist adherence help
I have two sibling students who are 5 and 7 respectively. They are midway through Foundation 1 and love playing and have no problem practicing. However, they rarely check off their playlist even with encouragement and rewards/consequences from their parent. At lessons it is this…
Play it Forward technique by Mark Merritt
I am loving using this “Play It Forward” technique with my students. Thank you Mark – it serves to really help my students. I am teaching and utilizing it with my son and it works very well. We are using the original playlist where you…