The Playground

  Simply Music Founder and Executive Director Neil Moore has devoted decades to the possibility of music as a lifelong companion. He has spoken to countless parents who share this vision but are still echoing outdated mindsets that don’t encourage that wonderful relationship with musical…

• Written by Neil Moore on Oct 21, 2016
• coaching, method, music, music education, neil moore, piano, piano lessons, play piano, Relationship Conversation, simply music, SoundCloud, teach piano, the playground

Credit: http://www.intuneaudio.ca/ In the last two articles, we talked about the benefits of recording yourself and what to listen for when reviewing your recorded efforts. In this installment, we’ll discuss some practicalities of making recordings. Even if you’re simply making a cheap and cheerful recording…

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Jul 12, 2016
• chords, coaching, gordon harvey, listen, music, neil moore, pedal, play piano, record, simply music, tempo, the playground, tutorial

Credit: college.usatoday.com We hope all our Teachers and Students in the United States are enjoying 4th of July celebrations. But why not spread the national pride further afield? We enlisted the help of the wonderful Elizabeth Gaikwad to create some simple accompaniment versions, using the key…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Jun 24, 2016
• 4th of July, accompaniment, america, australia, blog, canada, chords, coaching, music, national, national pride, national songs, new zealand, piano, pride, simply music, the playground, tutorial

Credit: http://sepeusz.blogspot.com.au/   In the first instalment of this series, we talked about the value and benefits of recording yourself.  It’s amazing what you’ll notice about your playing when you listen back to it without the distraction of having to actually play.  But there can…

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Jun 3, 2016
• chords, coaching, gordon harvey, listen, music, neil moore, pedal, record, simply music, tempo, the playground, tutorial

We’re excited to launch the Creative Coaching Series, programs designed for both students and teachers to deepen and broaden the music learning experience. The first title, from our Director of Programs Gordon Harvey, looks at the sometimes scary prospect of performing for others. In this…

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Apr 10, 2016
• anxiety, coach, coaching, instrument, music, performance, performing, piano, play, simply music, stage fright

  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…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Jan 22, 2014
• arrangemenets, chords, coaching, composition, dane andrus, improvisation, jazz, lessons, music, piano, simply music, teaching, the playground

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

  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

  “Teamwork, Teamwork, how ‘bout it?” Being a musician promotes versatility as it teaches many musical and real-life skills, such as cooperation in playing as a team, traditionally called ensemble playing. Ensemble playing in Simply Music lessons can be quite simple. Starting in Level One,…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Dec 4, 2012
• coaching, ensemble, janita pavelka, music, performance, piano, playing, simply music, teamwork, the playground

  Some of my earliest memories are centered around the piano. I have an older sister and three older brothers, the eldest being only 7 years older than me. As each of the boys turned 7 years old we began piano lessons. It was one…

• Written by Neil Moore on Sep 28, 2012
• carmen cavallaro, coaching, lessons, music, neil moore, parents, piano, simply music, students, teachers, team, the playground