Simpedia

Joan H., Canada

At the end of every Foundation level that is completed, we take time in class to record all songs from that level. I am so glad for this requirement of certification, as it showed me what a powerful learning tool this expectation was for students. They know they are building their repertoire and should play everything every day, but somehow this raises the bar for them, to know that they need to be able to do that in class, all songs from start to finish at the end of every level.

I feel it is one of the most powerful investments of lesson time. Students get to hear each other and either be challenged by what others are playing, or be able to hear areas of growth (if played incorrectly), and each of them also gains from the experience of playing for others – almost like a mini recital. I have students from Foundation 1 through Development 15, and all of them know that before advancing to the next level, they need to play all their songs in that level in one sitting.

Terah W., Kansas

I always have. It’s just a stated expectation. I’ve never had complaints. The fact that folks can get nervous doing it says that even the adults are benefiting from it. Besides, as the progress you can go back and literally show them how far they have come.

Joan H., Canada

Also, in shared lessons, students who are not playing can play on the keypad and benefit in that way. Regarding your feeling that it is “unfair”, I wonder if perhaps this is an example of how our own position/feeling about something may in turn be transferred to our families. I have 35+ students and this is my 6th year of teaching, and I have never had a parent question that we take class time to record. I sense that they also see the value of it.

Joan, H., Canada

I do have one student play through everything at once. This reminds them that this is how to practice at home. Their own playlist review time should be focused on the list of songs.

As for everything in one week, it varies. In a shared lesson, students may not all be “ready” at the same time, in which case we may take a few weeks to get through everybody. Or if they are, then we may focus the whole lesson that week on recording. I only record the core foundation songs plus one Arrangement of their choice as well as a composition.

Leeanne I., Australia

I tell my students that’s the great thing about records their songs with me. I can just delete the recording and we try again! After three tries, I say we will leave it and try again next week. To me, it will feel like the song is not quite ready yet. Though I do tell my students that SM doesn’t worry about mistakes, so if they make a mistake, just keep going. If they really fluff up the song, I tell them I know they can play it better than that and we try again. It is my requirement that they record all their foundation songs, one composition, and all the variations and arrangements they have learned for that level, to get their certificate. Don’t think of it as being harsh. Think of it as rewarding the student for their hard work.

Marlise S., Indiana

I record everyone at the end of every Foundation level. I use it like the testing process for them to prove to themselves that they are ready for the next level. Usually, this helps them step up their game and do the work to prove they know the songs. On the rarer occasions where a student can’t get through one of the songs, I let them try again that day. If they still struggle, I ask them to take another week to practice before we move on.

Leeanne I., Australia

I do mine at the end of each Level in class. It’s a requirement for all my students to get their certificate. If you have large groups, you could get them to record at home and provide you with the recordings. Just get them to say their name and the name of the song they are playing at the beginning of the recording. My students are fine with doing it in class time. After all, they are used to doing exams at school during school time! I tell them they can’t go on to the next level until they have recorded all but one song. The “all but one song” reason is that I have found some students take a while to get Alma Mater Blues in Level 1. I use the time between Levels to teach variations and arrangements.