learning tools and strategies

Showing 11 - 20 of 22 results in learning tools and strategies

Locking in Church Song

In Church Song, Level 7, one of the learning strategies is “Locking”. Could I get a clearer definition of what the locking strategy involves? Here’s the definition: Locking: A learning strategy where the hands essentially lock their ‘shape’ into place, but move from one position…

Mapping Strategy

Could someone explain the “mapping” strategy? I’ve noticed it a few times in the TTM, but I’d like to make sure I understand it completely. Here is an official definition: Observing any section or piece of music as a series of shapes, and assembling those…

Generative vs. Receptive Learning

I’m writing a blog about the difference between generative and receptive learning. This is what I have so far on generative learning. Do you agree? How would you define receptive learning? “This is the difference between ‘generative’ and ‘receptive’ learning. Generative learning requires that a…

Shoo-Fly LH and Generativity

I’m learning Shoo-Fly. Any thoughts on reminder clues for the LH runs in the second part? It starts on D and goes up, then starts on C and goes up, and both have a black note but in a different spot. I find myself coming…

Video Student Advice

You know how you talk yourself blue in the face sometimes to your students about basic best practices and it seems to go in one ear and out the other? Well, I decided to let the STUDENTS speak – video tape them – and share…

Thoughts on Reading


Today I re-listened to the audio file about the reading process. I am a new teacher – my students are all on level 1, and I am yet to see how the entire reading process unfolds. I do have an opinion however, about the comment…

More on The Role of Diagrams

I have several diagrams from the Reference materials that I can’t explain and have just skipped over when teaching. Some are covered in teacher training tapes but many are not. I always just assumed they were self-explanatory and I was just dense, but now I…

Advanced Students – Beginning Projects

I have two students who play very well (at about grade 5 AMEB level) and can read music reasonably well whom I have recently converted to Simply Music. They have had about 5 years experience with traditional lessons. I am currently taking them through foundation…

Mastery of Tools

I recently had a conversation with all my students, no matter what level they were in, that I think they all found very valuable for their future learning. This is long but I think you might find it as valuable as my studio has. And…