The Playground
The Simply Music blog
Sparking Memories with Music & Dan Cohen
To watch the amazing documentary Alive Inside and see the transformation in people through the simple act of listening to music, is a beautiful demonstration of the healing power of music. Here, Neil Moore talks with Dan Cohen, the man behind Music and Memory,…
Alive Inside – Movie Review
From musicandmemory.org Alzheimer’s and dementia are a reality for an increasing and often unseen population. Though well intentioned, many nursing homes are not equipped to fully meet the needs of these residents. We are left with several questions without any real or comforting answers: How…
When All Else Disappears, Music Remains
My name is Mel Karajas and I am the coordinator of The Playground. After watching the ‘Henry’ clip from Alive Inside and learning more about Music & Memory, I wanted to be involved in whatever way possible. In this special edition of our blog, that…
Congratulations to our winners!!
Thank you to all those who entered our giveaway for a copy of Leila Viss’ e-book “The iPad Piano Studio” We are very excited to announce these 5 teachers as the winners : Unmani, Alex Nguyen, Patti Phears, Kylie Stacey, Ginny Webb Some of the ways that they would integrate the…
The iPad, Apps & Music – Together, They Pack a Powerful Punch
I would never force anyone to submit to the tyranny of technology. It can be complicated and intimidating, boasts a language all its own and has a tendency towards flakiness. However, if the world refused to embrace technology, we’d still be on horseback, boiling water…
About Lead Sheets
Very early in their learning experience, Simply Music students are introduced to chord accompaniments through songs like Amazing Grace, following written chord symbols represented by alphabetical letters. What they won’t realize at that point is how many applications there are for chords. The seeds…
Simply Music Coach – The Vargas Family
When a student is as refreshingly honest about the peaks, valleys and plateaus of musical life as six-year-old Jade and nine-year-old Ely, their teacher knows they have a great attitude. She also knows that those students have the support of a very special contributor –…
Devil’s Trill by Gerald Elias – Book Review
“Perhaps the power of music is greatest because it is temporal rather than spatial, meaning that once it is heard it is gone forever.” In the novel Devil’s Trill, it is obvious that many musicians do not easily blend into society. These gifted few expect more…
2013 Has Been an Exciting, Musical Year
The ending of another exciting musical year coincides with the milestone of the 20th issue of The Playground. Our newsletter/blog was designed as a vehicle for the sharing of musical knowledge and a way to grow a community of likeminded musicians and music lovers. Since…
Musician and Educator Russell Ferrante Interview with Neil Moore
Besides his pioneering work with jazz-fusion legends The Yellowjackets, Russell Ferrante has collaborated with other great artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Joni Mitchell and Al Jarreau. If that wasn’t enough, he’s a greatly respected educator through his work at the Berklee School and Thornton School…
