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Leeanne I., Australia

I would want to hear her playlist from the beginning. You still need to use those earlier songs for Reading Rhythm and Reading Notes plus arrangements. You need to make sure that she is playing those songs correctly.

Becc S., Australia

Since she’s been playing on her own, maybe she’s taught herself some things. Find out what she has been doing since she left and include that as well. That’s great she wants your guidance again. Ask her what she expects to gain from lessons and what her musical goals are.

Suggest to her to watch the videos and see what comes back easily. I recently had a student in a similar boat. I asked her if she had remembered anything, and she just remembered the ones she loved. So, her goal is to be able to play that genre well. I didn’t ask her to relearn the Jazz because she isn’t into it and doesn’t add enough value to her long term goals. So we are learning pieces using the tools she learned earlier, like sentences, patterns, above and below. And intervallic reading to help her achieve her goals. I’ve had another adult come back after a couple of years and she had relearned all 4 levels prior to commencing lessons using the videos. She was so surprised that they were all there. She just needed the starting position.

Karen D., Canada

I’d hear her entire playlist over a couple of weeks (or so) of lessons, and then move forward (and/or review) from there. Love the idea of also seeing what kinds of things she’s been doing on her own.

Joanne D., Australia

Definitely make sure she has a solid playlist before going ahead in the foundation levels.

Robin Keehn, Washington

I would review everything with her–from the beginning. I wouldn’t worry about her knowing how to explain diagrams etc but I would make sure she can play the pieces. You can assign relearning pieces and give her some new things as well, like arrangements, new accompaniment, improvisation. Making sure she’s solid is really important.