The Playground
The Simply Music blog
Simply Music is a world-leader and pioneer in the field of playing-based music education. We're interested in developing programs and projects that fundamentally impact populations of people. Basically, we focus on causing breakthroughs in creativity for humanity.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Songwriting – Recording
As songwriters (just as parents of teenagers), we are at once blessed and cursed to live in the current era of technological accessibility. The sheer amount of options available now for recording songs and sending them out into the world can be both exciting and…
Simply Music Teacher – Kim Nelson
Zippo lighters or piano teaching? Luckily it was piano teaching that won out. Even though Texas single mom Kim Nelson had never played piano she wasn’t going to let that get in the way of pursuing a vision and building a thriving studio. Kim is…
Simply Music Student – Molly Fisher
“On a recent visit to my in-laws at an assisted care living center, I got to witness my daughter Molly Fisher, give an impromptu concert to the residents living there. When she started playing, the only audience Molly had in the commons area where the…
Gretta Ziller wins 2013 APRA/TSA New Songwriter Award
Simply Music’s own Gretta Ziller (Gretta Dunn) has just received the 2013 APRA/TSA New Songwriter Award for ”She’s A River” co-written with Kalesti Butler. Listen to an excerpt of this award winning song.
