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 the sometimes scary prospect of performing for others. In this…

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

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 body that houses various and exciting piano-related projects. The first…

• 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

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 music stirs may not be so mysterious, although, the personal…

• 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 of Simply Music, and makes a wonderful case for the…

• 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 a positive change in the world. Alive Inside If you’re…

• 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 the best teacher/coach/manager/developer she can be, and her equally unstoppable…

• 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

  The holiday season is upon us and for many, that means winding down school and/or work and getting ready for some relaxation time with family and friends. So we asked the Simply Music team what makes this time of year special for them, what…

• Written by Mel Karajas on Dec 7, 2015
• music, simply music, tradition, traditional

MUSIC IS A PIECE OF ART THAT GOES IN THE EARS STRAIGHT TO THE HEART We couldn’t find who said this, but we totally agree! So much so, that we took it literally and put together a collection of artworks that feature our beloved piano.…

• Written by Mel Karajas on Nov 29, 2015
• art, music, piano, piano art, pianos in art, simply music

The holidays are fast approaching! This may mean quite a long break for both teachers and students. Whether that’s a scary thought for you or a time you use to spread your creative wings, this group of helpful posts from our archives is sure to keep…

• Written by Mel Karajas on Nov 23, 2015
• concert, music, music lessons, neil moore, perform, performance, piano, piano lessons, recital, simply music, teach piano, the playground

Simply Music lessons with a teacher or online are a wonderful way to begin a lifelong relationship with music, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop there. Rachel Geans has discovered “The Usborne Classical Music Sticker Book”, a delightful, multi-sensory experience you can use as…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Nov 9, 2015
• classical music, learn, learn music, learn piano, music, music lessons, neil moore, piano, piano lessons, rachel geans, simply music, teach, teach music, teach piano, team music, usborne, usborne classical, usborne classical sticker book