The Playground

2015 was a landmark year for the remembrance of war, especially for people in Australia and New Zealand, marking not only the end of World War 2, but the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign, commemorated […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Apr 21, 2016
• 

Credit: theconversation.com   We have a unique opportunity to play a role in contributing to the evolution of human consciousness and self-expression, through music – Neil Moore   Many of you know how much I […]

• Written by Neil Moore on Apr 15, 2016
• blog, expression, learn piano, music, musicality, neil moore, piano, piano lessons, play piano, self expression, teach piano, technology, the playground

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 […]

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

I’m just learning to take baby steps into improvisation. And I have a secret to tell you. But first, let me tell you where I’m coming from and what my personal experience with music has […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Mar 31, 2016
• classical music, composition, Eastman, ensemble, improvisation, Julliard, literature, musician, Oberlin, patti phears, Peabody Conservatory, piano, playing, simply music, technique, the playground

Credit: www.danaevalenza.com   On the 88th day (yes, that’s a piano reference!) of 2015, accomplished composer and producer, Nils Frahm, launched Piano Day. Not just a day to celebrate the piano, but also an official […]

• Written by Mel Karajas on Mar 24, 2016
• 5 easy pieces, madame sousatzka, music, music lessons, nils frahm, piano, piano day, piano lessons, play piano, simply music, teach piano, the pianist, the piano, the playground

A piano in the background has helped set the scene in countless movies, but it’s rarer for it to take a leading role. Here’s a selection of our favourite movies featuring our favourite instrument. The […]

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Mar 23, 2016
• david helgott, movies about piano, piano, piano movies, shine, simply music, the pianist, the piano

All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it – Jean Cocteau   The resemblance to the objects and feelings from which the following […]

• Written by Mel Karajas on Mar 20, 2016
• adele, hello, jimmy fallon, Margaret Leng Tan, Modified Toy Orchestra, music, piano, simply music, the playground, the roots, toy instrument, toy orchestra, virtuoso

Mel Karajas’s interview with renowned voice coach Per Bristow in The Playground drew a lot of interest, inspiring this story from Simply Music Teacher Jacqui Graham. She draws parallels between Per’s approach and the design […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Mar 6, 2016
• jacqui graham, music, Per Bristow, simply music, sing, sing with freedom, talent, the playground, the singing zone

You probably don’t need any convincing that music is a powerful force for good. These inspiring documentaries demonstrate how much and in how many ways across the globe extraordinary people are using music to make […]

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Feb 28, 2016
• alive inside, autism, crescendo, documentary, landfill, landfill harmonic, music, music changes lives, musical, simply music, the playground

Most of you will know Robin Keehn – in fact, most of you will have been impacted directly or indirectly by Robin’s enormous contribution to everything we do, fuelled by her unstoppable drive to be […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Feb 18, 2016
• aspire, inspire, learn music, learn piano, motivate, music, music lessons, perseverance, piano studio, robin keehn, simply music, teach piano