The Playground

You might think musical skills are the province of some especially gifted breed of person, but nothing could be further from the truth. Every human being, without exception, is deeply and naturally musical! Neil explains how that musicality manifests itself in our everyday lives, and…

• Written by SM Admin on Mar 28, 2018
• music, music education, musical, neil moore, piano, simply music, the playground

Previously, I talked about the benefit of making the most of simple activities and valuing the journey as much as the goal. But how? As a Simply Music student, your teacher will be regularly on your case about keeping your Playlist alive. Of course, you…

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Mar 21, 2018
• coaching, gordon harvey, improvisation, learn piano, music, music education, performance, piano, Simple Things, simply music, the playground

Our series of songwriting hints continues with Eliette Roslin, who has taken time out from her amazingly busy life to share the very personal story of her song “Believe”. Eliette sang before she could speak and music has always played an important role in her…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Mar 14, 2018
• eliette roslin, piano, simply music, songwriting, the playground, Write Music

You may not be aware of the many informative and useful videos posted by Neil Moore on our YouTube channel, so we thought we’d highlight a selection of them in The Playground. Some of them are especially useful for teachers wanting to know more about…

• Written by SM Admin on Feb 28, 2018
• music, music education, piano, simply music, Simply Music Began, the playground

We asked Jose Rivera some questions to gain some insight into his role here at Simply Music, what lights him up musically and some facts that make him the person he is. Your full name: Jose Benjamin Rivera When did you start and what is…

• Written by Stephanie Iadanza on Feb 21, 2018
• blog, jose rivera, music, piano, simply music, the playground

Songwriting doesn’t have to be done balancing pen, paper, guitar and coffee cup on your lap. In fact, most modern pop music is constructed on the computer from the get-go. Gordon Harvey outlines this process through the example of a song by his band Aquiline.…

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Feb 7, 2018
• create, gordon harvey, music, music education, piano, simply music, songwriting, the playground

Simply Music Teacher Jennifer Lee continues the conversation about writing songs with a reflection on how simple projects can be the unexpected beginnings of great inspirations, including some of the wonderful songs on her forthcoming album. Photo by Remo Fioroni For me, I’m certain that…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Jan 31, 2018
• create, jennifer lee, musicians, simply music, singer-songwriter, songwriting, teachers, the playground, women songwriters

Will Henshall is a successful songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, entrepreneur, researcher and infectious personality. He’s also the developer of Focus@Will, a program that uses specially-designed music to improve focus and productivity. In this wide-ranging chat, Neil Moore speaks with Will about the science behind music’s ability…

• Written by Neil Moore on Jan 17, 2018
• focus, interview, music, neil moore, piano, productivity, science, simply music, the playground, will henshall

Recently I read an article by music educator and prolific blogger Ethan Hein called The Happiest Chord Progression Ever, citing The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” as the example of a triumphantly happy song, made so in part because of its irresistibly funky groove…

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Jan 10, 2018
• A Way of Listening, chord, gordon harvey, Happy Songs, music, simply music, songs, the playground

As far as we know, parents have always sung their children to sleep. It’s understood that for a young child the melodies and rhythms of simple songs add to the already profoundly comforting experience of a familiar voice. And the comfort can go the other…

• Written by Stephanie Iadanza on Dec 13, 2017
• Classics, improvisation, Lullabies, music, self expression, simply music, stephanie iadanza, the playground