The Playground, the Simply Music blog

Showing 11 - 20 of 346 posts

How 2 songs became 1: Londonderry Air & Danny Boy

As most of us could agree Danny Boy is a legendary musical piece, possibly one of the most famous songs in the world. It is synonomous with all things Ireland and has made its way to being an unofficial Irish national song. But did you…

Written by Gordon Harvey on Mar 17, 2021
danny boy, england, folk music, History, ireland, londonderry air, lyric, music, music education, piano, popular songs, simply music, song history, the playground

Having the ‘Blues’ Never Felt So Good – Piano Tutorial

From their earliest lessons, Simply Music students know how fun and easy it is to get into real, authentic-sounding blues piano pieces.They also learn that there are lots of ways to vary and develop their first blues projects with cool extra touches. Actually, if you…

Written by Guest Contributor on Mar 3, 2021
blues licks piano tutorial, blues piano licks tutorial, blues piano pieces, blues piano riffs, blues projects, coaching, how to play blues licks on piano, Laurie Richards, lessons, music, piano, piano tutorial, player, simply music, simply music method, the playground, tutorial

How does music affect your brain?

Neil shared this video with the Simply Music teachers a few weeks ago but we wanted to share it with you too. In this episode of Tech Effects, we explore the impact of music on the brain and body. From listening to music to…

Written by Gretta Dunn on Feb 4, 2021
brain, music, music education, music research, piano, research, simply music, the playground, video

Have You Met Maddalena Casulana?

Have you met Maddalena Casulana? Born 1544 in Italy she was the first woman to publish her own musical compositions! Women’s roles in the early 1500s largely centred around domestic duties and a constrained societal existence with the expectation that they would live humble, demure…

Written by Gretta Dunn on Jan 29, 2021
composer, italy, madrigal, music, music education, piano, simply music, the playground, Women in Music

New Years & New Resolutions

I think we all have fallen into the trap of setting new year’s resolutions that don’t last a week, especially when it comes to playing & practicing our instruments. I know I definitely have! I personally find it hard to follow through with my good…

Written by Gretta Dunn on Jan 17, 2021
accountability, beginnings, challenge, music, music education, new resolutions, new years, piano, simply music, songwriting, the playground

Seasons Greetings & Merry Gravy Day

From all of us here at Simply Music we wish the very best and a safe and happy holiday season … and a Happy Gravy Day Australia! Gravy Day you ask? The 21st of December has become synonymous with Gravy in Australia. Paul Kelly’s ‘How…

Written by Gretta Dunn on Dec 20, 2020
music, music education, piano, simply music, the playground

Holiday Reading List

Whether you’re looking for a new book to read or a present for someone this holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of books for you! Some we have read and some are on our own ‘to read’ lists! If you’ve got any recommendations please leave…

Written by Gretta Dunn on Dec 4, 2020
Blues, books, jazz, music, Music Books, music education, music history, piano, Reading List, recorded music, simply music, the playground

This Dream of You – Diana Krall [Album Review]

Think of the word “jazz” and chances are you’ll picture something like a smoky bar with a small group of guys hunched intensely over their instruments. Or perhaps a concert hall with an ensemble of tuxedo-clad men swinging through Tin Pan Alley standards. What you…

Written by Gordon Harvey on Nov 19, 2020
album review, Diana Krall, jazz, jazz pianist, jazz singer, music, music education, piano, piano player, Review, simply music, the playground

Have you met Diana Krall?

I’m sure if you’ve even stuck your toe into the pool of modern Jazz, you’ve heard of Diana Krall! The Canadian jazz pianist, songwriter & singer, known for her contralto vocals, she has sold more than 6 million albums in the US and over 15…

Written by Gretta Dunn on Nov 12, 2020
Diana Krall, Female Piano Player, jazz, jazz pianist, music, music education, piano, simply music, Songwriter, the playground, Women in Music

Mr Bojangles – Story (and Study) of a Song

Jerry Jeff Walker, who passed away recently at the age of 78, is remembered as one of the artists who brought country music out of the backwoods and into the mainstream. He was very prolific but he will always be remembered for one song: Mr…

Written by Gordon Harvey on Nov 5, 2020
Jerry Jeff Walker, Mr Bojangles, music, music education, piano, simply music, the playground

Trainee	A 'Trainee' Simply Music Teacher is the first level of teacher status. Trainees have begun their journey into the Simply Music Teacher Training Program however, they have yet to finalize their training and elevate to Licensed status.
Licensed Teacher	A 'Licensed' Simply Music Teacher is the second level of teacher status. Licensed Simply Music Teachers have fulfilled the requirements for completing their Initial Teacher Training Program. Inquire with them to find out when and if they are ready to teach.
Certified Teacher	A 'Certified' Simply Music Teacher is the third level of teacher status. Certified Simply Music Teachers have successfully completed the Simply Music Certification process as well as other requirements needed to become Certified. This includes having taught Foundation Levels 1, 2, and 3 as well as all applicable Special Programs (Composition & Improvisation, Arrangements, and Accompaniment 1). Certified Teachers present the Simply Music Programs exclusively to their beginning students, and they have shown that they follow our carefully-designed curriculum authentically.
Advanced Teacher	An 'Advanced' Simply Music Teacher is the fourth level of teacher status. Advanced status is only achieved after being a Certified Teacher for at least 4 years and teaching students through Foundation Level 9 plus all associated Special Programs (Composition & Improvisation, Arrangements, the Accompaniment Programs, the Reading Programs, Blues & Improvisation, and Jazz Clues). An Advanced Simply Music Teacher has demonstrated that they are an educator with a high degree of experience. Advanced Teachers present the Simply Music Programs exclusively to their beginning students, and they have shown that they follow our carefully-designed curriculum authentically.
Master Teacher	'Master' Simply Music Teacher is an honorary position and the highest status level that can be achieved. It is offered by Simply Music's founder, Neil Moore, to members of the organization who have demonstrated, over an extended period of time, that they are teachers who possess exemplary skills and qualities. They are mentors and a model to their fellow Simply Music Teachers and are considered leaders in our teaching community.