Simpedia

Jeff O., Massachusetts

No good accompanist plays/knows only accompaniment. Probably this person will not understand, but you can still explain that you teach the only way you know how, and that it eventually makes pianists who are good accompanists, among other things.

Leeanne I., Australia

I think you will find that we are required to teach the entire curriculum under the terms of our license agreement. I tell prospective students that my goal is to have them be a complete, all-around musician, capable of playing all genres, as well as being able to improvise and compose. If they wish to specialize in a particular area, they can do that after they have finished Simply Music. Under no circumstances do I let my students pick and choose what they want to learn.

It’s also a bit of a claiming territory issue. I have that problem, often early on, with students not wanting to learn certain parts of the curriculum. I tell them it is too bad, that’s what I teach and if they don’t like it they can go find another teacher.

Missy M., Iowa

I think we need an accompaniment track exclusive option because so many people these days want and need these skills. There is a way to do it and be successful. I think it’s a valid request and worth investing in.

Felicity E., Australia

I often mentally equate the Accompaniment program to learning folk guitar and the Foundation to classical guitar.

Folk guitar is the “around the camp fire strum strum” chord based and rhythm focused track. Classical guitar teaches notes and music reading from the start and is a lot harder and more thorough. It takes a lot longer to complete but usually yields a much better and highly skilled musician. I’d never say this to a student as almost everyone loves folk guitar and how cool and easy it is, but folk guitar students usually only develop to a certain point and then hit a wall.

Maureen K., California

I have a different perspective, as one who has studied and played many genres and styles of music over the years, including folk and classical. I assume this is an adult. I think it is completely reasonable for her to wish to learn only chords and accompaniment. Our license agreement may not currently allow teaching only accompaniment, and we can try to sell prospective students on the whole program, but if she still wants just accompaniment, you may not be the best teacher fit for her. And that’s okay. You’re a good fit for many others.

Joy O., Alabama

Thanks for the great feedback! My mom plays piano, accordion, and organ. She has some hymnals in binders, labeled “Accompanist Edition”. The printed music is exactly the same as the bound hymnals. I used to think that the embellishments she adds as she plays were written into the accompanist edition. Now I know it was her experience that taught her those additions. I think that the richness of the whole SM program leads to skilled musicians who can add embellishments, who have solid rhythm, etc. And I will tell this woman so, if she comes to an introductory session.

Laurie Richards, Nebraska

To clarify, teaching stand-alone programs was mentioned in the Beta phase of SMD; however, that model did not work. Under the license agreement, you cannot teach a standalone stream without permission. You can reach out to me privately if you ever have any questions about this.