Outside YouTube Pieces
Found in: About The Method, Claiming Territory, Online Learning, Other Methods, Playing-Based Methodology, Practicing & Playlists, Studio Management
Heidi M.
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 doing that with RH alone. I am a bit concerned whether this could interfere with his learning playing-based skills. Any thoughts on this?
Joanne D., Australia
I have some students who do this and as long as they are keeping up with their playlist and understand the clues and are doing what I ask then I don’t mind if they do other things like this. I always point out to students that copying someone on YouTube by rote is not going to help them with anything else than learning that one song whereas what we do is teach them tools to apply to other songs.
Moreen M., Canada
One of the declared goals of Simply Music is that students will be able to self-generate and progress independently. I don’t think the fact that your student is demonstrating such initiative already will interfere at all! I would encourage it and use it as an oppourtunity to help them recognize “shapes” and patterns. Maybe have them explain the way they are remembering and memorizing how to play the song so that you can gauge how they are building mental associations and use that as a launching pad!
Marsha L., Virginia
I think it’s great for them to explore their musicality in many ways. Kids who play songs that appeal to them seem to stick with piano the longest. 🙂 I read music, and still learn songs off YouTube once in a while because it’s faster to memorize and see the shapes and patterns!
[answer author="Kerry V., Australia"]
I let them do this but want them to show me a pattern, etc., what they see may be in it. It is great to have them self-generative but there has to be a line as to how much they do. Strong playlist and I have them include it on their playlist, too.
Original discussion started August 4, 2018