Robin Keehn
Students in valleys
I have two students who have become incredibly frustrated lately and are ready to quit. They’re both in Level 2. One, a 16-year-old beginner who was very motivated to learn and was doing absolutely great, stopped practicing about a month ago, and it was obvious.…
Parents anxious to start reading
I’ve lost a few students recently (starting Level 3) because the parents are taking them to a traditional teacher to learn to read notes, even though the kids were doing well and I told them that we were moving toward note reading soon. They compared…
Teaching Development level songs
I’m wondering of those of you teaching in Development 10 and beyond continue to learn each song off the page? I have done so through Development 12, and could continue but usually have other projects of my own on the go. With my previous piano…
Non-compliant teenagers
I’m going to be real. I feel like firing two teenage students that never do what they’re told despite both parent and method coach enforcement every single week. Mom’s committed. We have had the talk for a couple months and I’m on my last rope.…
Webinar Series: 07/12/2017 – Piano – Teaching Shared Lessons
In this webinar Neil talks about teaching Shared Lessons, including some teachers’ perceived challenges, as well as the many benefits. Topics include: Students Progressing at Different Rates in Shared Lessons (00:16) Understanding & Communicating Benefits of Shared Lessons (02:24) Parental Involvement in Lessons (10:49) Ideal…
Coaches not purchasing SHMs
How do I deal with this? I have a group of two boys in Foundation 2. I’ve asked the life coaches to purchase Accompaniment 1, several weeks in a row. Each week they come back and haven’t gotten it yet. Now they’ll soon be purchasing…
Question about Foundation Levels building on each other
I’m getting ready to have four students go into Level 4. I have that program but haven’t purchased 5 & 6. Will these levels build upon the lower like Levels 1, 2, 3 did? No. Levels 1-3 build upon each other but Level 4 introduces…
Claiming territory in lesson pace
What would you do if a parent doesn’t want you to teach new assignments to the group because her child doesn’t really practice, but the other student is very ready to move on and does practice? They prefer a group lesson. I feel that I…
Early childhood music & movement – Neil Moore
Is there a SM encouraged/endorsed Early Childhood Music & Movement program? If not, what are some favorites as lead-ins to SM? Music Rhapsody is our endorsed program. It beautifully integrates pieces from Simply Music throughout to lead seamlessly to Simply Music. It was designed by…
Using words to learn rhythms
Does anyone use words for reading rhythm streams instead of buh-buhs? I’ve always used it as a fun variation. But recently I had one student who was a bit stuck at the rhythm-into-fingers phase. And I realized he was stuck because he couldn’t make sense…