The Playground

Usually at this time of year in The Playground, we like to provide some playing projects for festive season songs. This time around, we thought we could continue the conversation about sharing your music by […]

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Nov 21, 2014
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  Very early in their learning experience, Simply Music students are introduced to chord accompaniments through songs like Amazing Grace, following written chord symbols represented by alphabetical letters. What they won’t realize at that point […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Jan 22, 2014
• arrangemenets, chords, coaching, composition, dane andrus, improvisation, jazz, lessons, music, piano, simply music, teaching, the playground

So you’re having an extended break from music lessons, over summer holidays or for whatever other reason. What happens to your playing? Will that Playlist you (and your Teacher and Life Coach) spent the whole […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Dec 4, 2013
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Dr Don Greene was an elite-level sports psychologist before discovering that the issues faced by top musicians were really a lot like those of sports people. Since then he has worked with musicians from major […]

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Jun 27, 2013
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My big fat Simply Music Playlist… how will I ever keep it all alive?! Do you have a hard time managing this aspect of your piano lessons? It’s fun to learn new pieces but sometimes […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on May 19, 2013
• advanced, coaching, learn, music, piano, playlist, practice, sheir reingold, simply music, songs, student, teacher, the playground, tools

  I was a beginner when I started Simply Music lessons. I had a lot of confidence issues with my musicality. I had tried to play the piano on my own for about a year and just couldn’t […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Mar 27, 2013
• coaching, confidence, kevin meyer, music, piano, playing, simply music, the playground

With my Simply Music students, I do a lot of improvisation and composition. It’s one of my favourite aspects of being a musician, having been writing songs and creating instrumental pieces for most of my life. […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Mar 27, 2013
• create, improvisation, improvise, kat koppett, mark meritt, mark s. meritt, mop and bucket, music, simply music

Gustavo Dudamel, “The Dude”, and Dreams Come True have a lot in common. When he was a child in Venezuela, this dynamic conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic would line up all his toys on the floor […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Jan 30, 2013
• nancy reese, piano, piano playing, playing freely, sef expression, simply music, the playground

  “Teamwork, Teamwork, how ‘bout it?” Being a musician promotes versatility as it teaches many musical and real-life skills, such as cooperation in playing as a team, traditionally called ensemble playing. Ensemble playing in Simply […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Dec 4, 2012
• coaching, ensemble, janita pavelka, music, performance, piano, playing, simply music, teamwork, the playground

  My first memory of playing the piano with others is sharing the bench with my two older siblings. Since I was the youngest in the family, I would get to sit on the end […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Sep 28, 2012
• coaching, duet, family, group, janita pavelka, music, musical, performance, piano, playing, recital, simply music, student, teacher, the playground