Neil Moore
Minuet in G Diagram
I am having trouble decoding the diagram for the piece ‘Minuet in G’ from TP2 Level 2, Song 2.7. The diagram relates to the RH of measures 5, 6 and 7. The pattern begins with finger 4, ascends to finger 5, then descends from fingers…
Night Storm – Getting the LH and Controlling the Events
In the left hand of Night Storm and Jackson Blues, some of my students leave the little finger down while playing the thumb notes correctly. They seem to focus so hard on getting the thumb movements that the little pinky sits resting! Do others have…
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…
Fingering for Bishop St. Blues
I have always played the I chord of Bishop Street Blues with my third finger in the middle rather than finger two, and a lot of my students find that easier too. Is there any reason why they shouldn’t? I recommend staying with using the…
Capitalizing on Self-generative Opportunities
I was looking forward to trying out the alternate lyrics (Star Spangled Banner) in lessons this week, because I had so much fun singing them. To my surprise it fell rather flat. One of the adult students found the lyrics amusing, and would have enjoyed…
Articulating our Abilities – Thoughts from Neil Moore
Recently, a trainee teacher wrote to me expressing concern about a prospective student who had a pre-existing ability to play at a level that was, in some respects, beyond their own. The teacher was also concerned about the fact that were the student to progress…
Should I Introduce Another Project?
I have a 6 year old who can play all song up to Ode to Joy level 1 well. We have spent 2 weeks on RH and I will not put hands together until he has the counting right. Can I move on and teach…
Should We Explain ‘Claiming Territory’ – Neil Moore
Has anyone ever explained the automatic claiming of territory to the students, and the need to consciously surrender? I would think that it would be helpful particularly with teenagers and adults. Claiming Territory, as I call it, is an ontological function. It operates at the…
Vocalization of Rhythms
In response to the following question: I am finding that my students have a knowledge of singles, doubles and quads in their traditional form of Ta, Te-te and tigger-tigger (or any variation of these). The schools seem to teach this in their music classes. I…
Students Leaving After Learning To Read
I have taken a few students through the Reading process, and I believe it has been very successful. I am currently working through Time For More Music and Jazz 1 with some of those students. Other students, having achieved “reading”, and having a huge repertoire,…