Robin Keehn
Teaching key signature
I’m working my way through Accompaniment 2 and have a question. One of the lectures talks about naturally-occurring chords in various keys, and assumes knowledge of keys. The example given is that the key of F has one flat. I know that in Time for…
How to restart returning student
I had a great student a few years ago. I think we got to Level 4 when she quit. She continued to play herself without a teacher, and now she wants to come back. What should I do with her? Should I hear all her…
Smoothing out the rhythm in Jackson Blues
I have a seven-year-old student who is very keen to learn, and very smart. He often says “I’m really good at this song” as he starts to play from his playlist for me. His version of Jackson Blues has a terrible rhythm. He plays the…
Beginning lessons with improvisation
I recently heard someone mention a SM requirement that students begin every practice with improv. Is that official? Something that many teachers do? I’d love to hear more about this–where it appears in the training, and even if it doesn’t, how people who use this…
Students learning from music book
I have an 11-year-old that has been learning with me and I have just learned that she is teaching herself from the music book and NOT looking at the videos or listening to the audio files. I couldn’t quite work out what was going on;…
Transposing I-IV-V
Once students are comfortable finding I-IV-V in any key, how do you go through the transposition process? Do you do one key a week, multiple keys per week? Do you use both Amazing Grace and Auld Lang Syne? Separately or at the same time? Do…
Student struggling with rhythm
I have a 9-year-old student who just struggles with rhythm. She can’t keep a simple even beat. With a TON of work she gets it, but it doesn’t always stick. I noticed it in a pronounced way when she was with me in a larger…
Student refuses to play
I had this experience in class this week and I don’t know how to tackle it. My student (9 years old) announced he wasn’t going to play anything. His exact words were” I don’t want to and I don’t have to and you can’t make…
Make-up lesson policy
Ideas for makeup policy? I’m considering doing a no makeup policy next fall but I see there being a lot of upset about that. I’m teaching an extra 3 to 4 hours a month just in makeups. I do one per quarter for illnesses or…
Accompaniment workshops
I am wondering if any of you have thought about doing an Accompaniment Workshop for current or potential students as a 4 – 6 week affair like we do ‘ordinary’ Workshops? I love Accompaniment, have done lots of it and would love to perhaps do…