group lessons
Combining disparate ages in a group
How well could it work to have two girls aged 7 and 11 in a small group? The 7-year-old just started a month ago and is doing great and learning as quickly as any 11-year-old would. The 11-year-old will likely start very soon. I cannot…
Scheduling group lessons
How do you schedule lessons? I’m having a bit of growing pains, trying to keep and develop larger groups. Do you set the times, then contact parents and students with times, or do you ask for available times first? I’ve got people who wait and…
Pairing students when one has prior experience
I am about to do a FIS for a family os two children (5 and 6.5 years) and am wondering how well it could go to teach the two as a small group rather than private lessons back to back). The 6.5-year-old already had half…
Problem with starting a group
Dear Friends, During the past few months, I had people who attended the FIS and decided to take lessons. However, many times I don’t have matching students to from a group. Even if I have matching students, I can’t really start a group deal to…
Practice Pads and Controlling the Events
I’m in my second month of teaching Simply Music, and I have groups of mostly 3-6 kids. I have four practice pads that I got laminated but not mounted. Initially I tried using the practice pads, but I found it frustrating, especially with the younger…
Adjusting Playing—Group Dynamics
From time to time I’ll run across a student who is just plunking out notes on the piano without a care to the ear. At that point, I’ll take out my audio recorder and say “Now, let’s listen to what you just played.” Very often,…
Traditional Students to SM
Yesterday I did an FIS for a student that has had 2 years of traditional lessons. She is a cousin of my student that also has had 2 years of lessons, all SM! The Mom wants to switch her daughter to me because she is…
Teaching older students with prior experience
I currently have 21 students ranging from the age of 6 to 67 with varying degrees of existing piano playing ability. In particular, I have a 65-year-old lady who has had extensive traditional experience and composes her own music. In spite of this, she insisted…
Knowing a Student’s Background
Hello, I am a new S/M teacher and learner. I have learned through level 3, although I have just ordered level 4 and rhythm. I am having difficulty in the following way: I have a new student, an old student, and a middle aged student.…
Assessing Experience; Lesson Content Ideas
I have a student who will be starting with 8 years experience, not a great reader, usually reads just enough to figure out a piece and then just plays it from memory. I need to know how to excel an advanced student. Does one still…