duets
Recital pieces for early levels
If the majority of your students are in Foundation 1 and Foundation 2 and that’s basically all the songs they know, what do you have them play for recital so that there isn’t a ton of repetition? Especially because everyone wants to play the blues.…
Starting first group
I’m starting a group of siblings this week, ages 10, 11, and 13. They transferred from another teacher, currently in Level 3 and this is my first group. I’m looking for suggestions for extra projects for the oldest one while maintaining the program for the…
Foundation Duets books
A recent post elicited a good solution to managing group classes with more duet stimulation. I just contacted Elizabeth Gaikwad to tease it out a bit more. She said I could post the following in case it helps anyone else. It was a good reminder…
The emotional impact of music
I wanted to share a teaching experience I had a few weeks ago. One of my adult students, Julie, is a delightful person and so excited about learning piano and LOVES Simply Music. A few weeks ago her classmates couldn’t make it to class so…
Getting student to slow down
Any suggestions how to get a 7-year-old to sloooooow down in his playing? Initially he was slow because of weak and small hands and lack of motor skills, but now his hands are stronger and he has also listened to a lot of fast rock…
Shared lesson flow
I’m looking to teach group lessons. I’m only teaching private so far. I would like ideas on the flow of a group lesson, how to make it fun and keep it fun. Until recently I was only doing private lessons, and now have three shared…
Using lesson to de-stress
I wanted to share a teaching experience I had a few weeks ago. One of my adult students, Julie, is a delightful person and so excited about learning piano and LOVES Simply Music. A few weeks ago her classmates couldn’t make it to class so…
Duet ideas
Let’s share ideas…what are some fun duet ideas you have used with your students? Last week I had one student play a nice chord progression (like Canon in C chords) and the other student improvised. Not as smooth as when I play with them, but…
Using Foundation Duets with student with prior experience
Hi all, I just watched the promo video for Foundation Duets & Variations. One of the suggestions mentioned was to use the Foundation Duets & Variations with a student who has prior experience to help give them some interest and challenge, especially when the other…
Teaching the Honey Dew melody ‘by ear’
How do you teach the melody for Honey Dew and Amazing Grace for the purpose of playing duets after they have accomplished the accompaniment? Do you use the music for those that can read just for the purpose of teaching the melody or do you…