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.
Songwriting – Writing
I was asked to write a three part series on how independent musicians get their music out to the world, starting with writing then moving on to recording and finishing with releasing your song and getting it out to the world. As with anything there…
The Great Courses: Understanding the Fundamentals of Music – Review
Presented by Professor Robert Greenberg 16 parts, 45 min each = 12 hours 85 page course summary with references to the music selections Everyone can enjoy music, but for those who don’t already know, your enjoyment can be multiplied many times over when you understand…
Performer, Conductor & Teacher Jonathon Welch with Gordon Harvey – Interview
“I love… when people think something is ‘impossible’, to break that down and think ‘I’m possible’…” Jonathon Welch is an Australian institution in multiple music-related fields, and a truly inspiring individual. As a tenor, he has had over 60 stage roles including Principal Tenor in just…
Simply Music Teacher – Kerry Verdon
“To me, everybody has a child within them, regardless of the age they are”. Despite her limited musical background, the always positive Kerry Verdon has found a home in music teaching, and it’s a truly nurturing home in a huge variety of ways. As well…
Learn Simply Rudolph
By Scott Jones Many of us love a Christmas song, but rather than dust off the same old arrangements, this year why not try a fresh perspective? Rudolph never sounded as fun as Scott Jones’ blues version. In this video tutorial he steps you through a set…
Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner – Book Review
Kenny Werner is a jazz musician with, according to a review of his brilliant album ‘Institute of Higher Learning’, “seemingly limitless gifts as a pianist, bandleader and composer”. As well as being extraordinarily prolific as a musician, he is highly regarded as an educator, and…
Young Child Music Educator Lynn Kleiner Interview with Robin Keehn
Lynn Kleiner has been teaching since 1978. As developer of her own programs based on the Orff philosophy, she has started countless children on their musical journeys, as well as presenting her work internationally and creating a collection of award-winning educational materials. Here she speaks…
Simply Music Teacher – Kelly Natale
“It’s like having your friends come to visit you on a weekly basis”. Despite a strong traditional music background, Kelly Natale didn’t dream of teaching until she encountered Simply Music. From that moment, nothing stopped her. Launching herself as Canada’s first Simply Music teacher, building…
Best Apps for Musicians – Review
OnSong by OnSong iPad/ iPhone/ iPod $7.99 With so many Apps out there for musicians these days, it’s hard to be sure which one is best suited to your needs. Most of them have the same features and functions plus a few added extras. It’s…
Learn Light Blue
The great blues players spend most of their time working with riffs, little musical sentences you can throw in over the top of standard chord progressions. Our very own blues maestro Scott Jones has plenty of riffs up his sleeve, and in this video presentation…
