
The Playground
The Simply Music blog

You & Your Instrument: Acoustic Pianos
In the first article in this series, we discussed the choice between digital and acoustic pianos. For those considering a digital piano, we included some advice, but as to the purchase of an acoustic piano, we decided that dark art needed its own post. Are…
- Written by Guest Contributor on Mar 6, 2019
- Acoustic Piano, Buying a piano, gordon harvey, music, music education, piano, simply music, the playground, Vincent Tarin

Study of a Song – How to Make Gravy
Although he’s spent quite a lot of time in the USA and elsewhere, Paul Kelly is not necessarily a household name worldwide. Here in his native Australia, this everyman poet is an unofficial Living National Treasure, one of our most loved musicians, for his unforgettable…
- Written by Gordon Harvey on Dec 18, 2018
- create, gordon harvey, Gravy, How to Make the Gravy, music education, musicians, Paul Kelly, simply music, simply music piano, songs, songwriting, the playground

Teaching Chords & Accompaniment – A Video from Neil Moore
Chords are one of the most fundamental building blocks of all music and, taught in a particular way, they are incredibly simple to learn on piano. It’s amazing how much is opened up by an easily-developed grasp of chords. Neil describes here, for both students…
- Written by SM Admin on Dec 12, 2018
- accompaniment, chords, Chords & Accompaniment, coaching, neil moore, piano, simply music, teach piano, teaching, tutorial

Interview with Giana Nguyen: Simply Music Teacher, Singer/Songwriter
Giana Nguyen is an Advanced Simply Music Teacher and Singer/Songwriter based in Irvine, CA. She has just released her new self-titled album, “GiANA”. Leon Moore spends a few minutes learning about her musical background, influences and inspiration behind her music, and how she got involved…
- Written by SM Admin on Dec 6, 2018
- Dancing Keys Music Studio, Giana Nguyen, interview, Leon Moore, music, music education, musician, piano, simply music, Singer, singer-songwriter, Songwriter, teacher, teaching, the playground

You & Your Piano: Digital or Acoustic
This is the first in a series of articles designed to help you choose and care for your piano. Here at Simply Music, we’re not too precious. When it comes to your choice of instrument, many teachers will insist on beginning on a good-quality acoustic…
- Written by Gordon Harvey on Nov 20, 2018
- Choose a Piano, gordon harvey, music, music education, music teacher, piano, play piano, simply music, teach piano, the playground

Teaching the Melody of a Classical Piece – A Video from Neil Moore
Let’s talk about a famous classical piece, by Beethoven, and give you a taste of how we break the melody of this song into a simple ‘Melody Diagram’ that will have you instantly remember how to play it. We’ll also show you the left hand…
- Written by SM Admin on Jul 24, 2018
- music education, musicians, neil moore, piano, piano lessons, simply music, simply music piano, the playground, tutorial

Growing up Simply – My Childhood Experience of Musicality
I can recall countless fond memories of growing up in a household that was filled with music. I would get home from school and my dad, who was a music educator, would have anywhere from one to ten students in our home. At that time,…
- Written by Guest Contributor on Jul 18, 2018
- Leon Moore, neil moore, simply music, the playground, Trumpet

Meet the Team – Master Teacher, Laurie Richards
We asked Laurie Richards some questions to gain some insight into her role here at Simply Music, what lights her up musically and some facts that make her the wonderful person she is. Laurie and her daughter, Leah, just being their fun selves. Your full…
- Written by Stephanie Iadanza on Jul 3, 2018
- Laurie Richards, learn piano, Master Teacher, Meet the Team, Music Lesson, piano, piano lessons, simply music, teach piano, the playground

Happy Songs, Part 2 – “1234”
Feist might be the only artist on my lists of both the saddest songs and the happiest songs ever. I’ll resist talking about the heartbreaking track “The Limit To Your Love”, because this is a series about happy songs – but we can stay with this…
- Written by Gordon Harvey on May 23, 2018
- Feist, gordon harvey, Happy Songs, sesame street musicians, simply music, the playground

How Does the Simply Music Piano Method Work? – A Video from Neil Moore
If you are a music student or a beginning Simply Music student, or perhaps a curious piano teacher, we recommend you check out this video. This video is the first in a mini video series called ‘How it Works’. This first video offers an overview…
- Written by SM Admin on May 2, 2018
- learn piano, music lessons, neil moore, piano, simply music, teach piano, the playground