Simpedia

Un Mani, Australia

I’d like to talk about how I’m finding and using the Ballads, Songs and Vignettes recordings in my studio. There are so many aspects I’ve numbered them. Here are some benefits I see for my students .

1.They counter a mentality I often see that pieces have always got to be fast and ‘achievement’ oriented .

2. Connected with 1. above , they counter the always wanting to ‘conquer ‘ the next piece. thinking.

3 They reach down to FDN 2 and way up into the Development levels so that students get to hear future treasures as well as their PL friends. The later students get to revisit old friends that may be retired but are making new discoveries that they were unable to glean earlier on.

4.The lovingly filmed videos help some of them ‘get’ the physical grace and ease with which piano can be played.

5 Those without top of the range instruments (most of my students) get to experience this aspect more deeply. I love the camera angles.

6 Many of my students have enjoyed the gift of Neil’s lesson bombs, so there’s a sense of being ‘closer’ to him. that these videos are enhancing. That a role model doesn’t have to be someone up on a pedestal or in the clouds.And that brings them closer to a sense that everyone is musical and can play sensitively and with expression and change stuff.

7. They begin to ‘get’ the wonderfulness of simplicity in little gems like these pieces.

To introduce the students to this amazing support, I have been making my way around all of them showing a clip of a fav or current playlist piece. I love seeing the look on their faces afterwards.

Their lesson notes help steer them in the right direction.