The Playground, the Simply Music blog

Showing 231 - 240 of 346 posts

Installation Artist Luke Jerram Interview with Leanne Van Heerwaarden

As a visual artist, Luke Jerram might appear to be an unlikely candidate for a discussion about music, but it turns out music and sound are favourite media for many of his sculpture projects and art installations. His work Aeolus is a striking blend of visual beauty…

Written by SM Admin on May 19, 2013

Simply Music Teacher – The Canberra Girls

With 60 years of teaching between them, the tight-knit team of Teachers in Australia’s capital are a classic example of the power of cooperation and shared support, not to mention laughter. You can hear in this chat with Elizabeth Gaikwad how well they get along…

Written by SM Admin on May 19, 2013

My Big Fat Playlist

My big fat Simply Music Playlist… how will I ever keep it all alive?! Do you have a hard time managing this aspect of your piano lessons? It’s fun to learn new pieces but sometimes it can seem like a lot of work to remember…

Written by Guest Contributor on May 19, 2013
advanced, coaching, learn, music, piano, playlist, practice, sheir reingold, simply music, songs, student, teacher, the playground, tools

Simply Music Students – Isabella & Maximillian Karelis

Gorgeous 12 year-old twins, Isabella & Maximillian Karelis have been learning Simply Music piano since Feb 2009 and are in Level 7. They have successfully completed Accompaniment 1, Arrangements 1 and 2, Time for More Music, Reading 1 and Composition and Improvisation, and have composed a…

Written by Guest Contributor on May 19, 2013
karelis, katy spenta, simply music, simply music lessons, simply music piano

Learn Beethoven’s 5th Symphony

This piece is hallmark and one of his most recognized pieces. Originally written for a symphony, it has been played as a piano solo successfully and even arranged into a popular rock instrumental in the 1970s called “A Fifth of Beethoven” by Walter Murphy. It…

Written by SM Admin on May 19, 2013

Singer Songwriter Rodriguez – Review

The story of Detroit-born Sixto Rodriguez’s recent rise from obscurity seems the stuff that movies are made of. Aptly so; the 2012 Academy Award-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man chronicled his rebirth from forgotten 1970s folk-rock musician to beloved icon of South Africa in wonderful…

Written by SM Admin on May 19, 2013

From Neil Moore

Do we reap what we sow? I’ve been thinking about this and want to talk about a recent experience. A couple of weeks ago I received an email from a 17 year-old young woman called Maira Ramirez. Maira asked if I would be willing to…

Written by Neil Moore on Mar 27, 2013
casio, music, neil moore, piano, program, simply music, students, teachers, the playground, training

Singing Along with Lyn Bowtell

“Music is the only language that has no barriers”. Singer-songwriter, two-time Golden Guitar winner and music educator Lyn Bowtell is passionate about sharing music. Here she talks with Gretta Dunn about her career, the joy of performing, and her work with the wonderful Songroom…

Written by SM Admin on Mar 27, 2013
golden guitar, gretta dunn, gretta ziller, lyn bowtell, music educator, simply music, sing along, singer-songwriter, songroom

Simply Music Teacher – Ian Christie

Besides being a Simply Music Teacher (and marriage celebrant into the bargain), as a professional musician Ian Christie has enjoyed innumerable musical adventures. In this conversation with Gretta Dunn, he shares some stories of his working life and the experience of juggling performing and teaching…

Written by SM Admin on Mar 27, 2013

Building Confidence as a Beginner with Simply Music

I was a beginner when I started Simply Music lessons. I had a lot of confidence issues with my musicality. I had tried to play the piano on my own for about a year and just couldn’t get it! I could not coordinate my hands; I could kind of…

Written by Guest Contributor on Mar 27, 2013
coaching, confidence, kevin meyer, music, piano, playing, simply music, the playground

Trainee	A 'Trainee' Simply Music Teacher is the first level of teacher status. Trainees have begun their journey into the Simply Music Teacher Training Program however, they have yet to finalize their training and elevate to Licensed status.
Licensed Teacher	A 'Licensed' Simply Music Teacher is the second level of teacher status. Licensed Simply Music Teachers have fulfilled the requirements for completing their Initial Teacher Training Program. Inquire with them to find out when and if they are ready to teach.
Certified Teacher	A 'Certified' Simply Music Teacher is the third level of teacher status. Certified Simply Music Teachers have successfully completed the Simply Music Certification process as well as other requirements needed to become Certified. This includes having taught Foundation Levels 1, 2, and 3 as well as all applicable Special Programs (Composition & Improvisation, Arrangements, and Accompaniment 1). Certified Teachers present the Simply Music Programs exclusively to their beginning students, and they have shown that they follow our carefully-designed curriculum authentically.
Advanced Teacher	An 'Advanced' Simply Music Teacher is the fourth level of teacher status. Advanced status is only achieved after being a Certified Teacher for at least 4 years and teaching students through Foundation Level 9 plus all associated Special Programs (Composition & Improvisation, Arrangements, the Accompaniment Programs, the Reading Programs, Blues & Improvisation, and Jazz Clues). An Advanced Simply Music Teacher has demonstrated that they are an educator with a high degree of experience. Advanced Teachers present the Simply Music Programs exclusively to their beginning students, and they have shown that they follow our carefully-designed curriculum authentically.
Master Teacher	'Master' Simply Music Teacher is an honorary position and the highest status level that can be achieved. It is offered by Simply Music's founder, Neil Moore, to members of the organization who have demonstrated, over an extended period of time, that they are teachers who possess exemplary skills and qualities. They are mentors and a model to their fellow Simply Music Teachers and are considered leaders in our teaching community.