The Playground

Do you find you can learn to play using separate hands but struggle when you try to play both together? You may not be making full use of a really valuable tool. When we can see each ‘event’ in each hand represented in a simple…

• Written by SM Admin on Apr 11, 2019
• neil moore, piano, simply music

We asked Mary K Ferreter some questions to gain some insight into her role here at Simply Music, what lights her up musically and some facts that make her the person she is. Your full name: Mary Kathryn Ferreter When did you start and what…

• Written by SM Admin on Apr 4, 2019
• interview, MaryKaye, music, music education, piano, simply music, the playground

Piano lovers, it’s that special International Piano Day time of year again! We have celebrated Piano Day in many ways in the past with shared lists of unusual pianos, collections of all things piano and more. This year, to commemorate our favorite mechanical friend, we…

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Mar 28, 2019
• gordon harvey, music, music education, piano, piano day, simply music, stephanie iadanza, the playground

Were you ever wowed by the wizardry of a blues musician? Really, anyone can achieve an authentic blues sound with a few basic tools. Using some very simple tools Blues can be taught to entry-level students with great success. One of these tools, the principle…

• Written by SM Admin on Mar 13, 2019
• Blues, improvisation, music, music education, neil moore, piano, simply music, the playground

In the first article in this series, we discussed the choice between digital and acoustic pianos. For those considering a digital piano, we included some advice, but as to the purchase of an acoustic piano, we decided that dark art needed its own post. Are…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Mar 6, 2019
• Acoustic Piano, Buying a piano, gordon harvey, music, music education, piano, simply music, the playground, Vincent Tarin

Although he’s spent quite a lot of time in the USA and elsewhere, Paul Kelly is not necessarily a household name worldwide. Here in his native Australia, this everyman poet is an unofficial Living National Treasure, one of our most loved musicians, for his unforgettable…

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Dec 18, 2018
• create, gordon harvey, Gravy, How to Make the Gravy, music education, musicians, Paul Kelly, simply music, simply music piano, songs, songwriting, the playground

Chords are one of the most fundamental building blocks of all music and, taught in a particular way, they are incredibly simple to learn on piano. It’s amazing how much is opened up by an easily-developed grasp of chords. Neil describes here, for both students…

• Written by SM Admin on Dec 12, 2018
• accompaniment, chords, Chords & Accompaniment, coaching, neil moore, piano, simply music, teach piano, teaching, tutorial

Giana Nguyen is an Advanced Simply Music Teacher and Singer/Songwriter based in Irvine, CA. She has just released her new self-titled album, “GiANA”. Leon Moore spends a few minutes learning about her musical background, influences and inspiration behind her music, and how she got involved…

• Written by SM Admin on Dec 6, 2018
• Dancing Keys Music Studio, Giana Nguyen, interview, Leon Moore, music, music education, musician, piano, simply music, Singer, singer-songwriter, Songwriter, teacher, teaching, the playground

This is the first in a series of articles designed to help you choose and care for your piano. Here at Simply Music, we’re not too precious. When it comes to your choice of instrument, many teachers will insist on beginning on a good-quality acoustic…

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Nov 20, 2018
• Choose a Piano, gordon harvey, music, music education, music teacher, piano, play piano, simply music, teach piano, the playground

Let’s talk about a famous classical piece, by Beethoven, and give you a taste of how we break the melody of this song into a simple ‘Melody Diagram’ that will have you instantly remember how to play it. We’ll also show you the left hand…

• Written by SM Admin on Jul 24, 2018
• music education, musicians, neil moore, piano, piano lessons, simply music, simply music piano, the playground, tutorial