The Playground

Written by: Ray Nelson “I can’t count how many times over my teaching career I have heard students say this. There is such an interest out there to be able to play in a band […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Jul 11, 2023
• accompaniment, chords, coaching, how to play guitar, how to play piano, keyboard, music, music lessons, musical journey, musicians, piano in a band, play in a band, ray nelson, simply music, tutorial

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 […]

• 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

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 […]

• Written by SM Admin on Jul 24, 2018
• music education, musicians, neil moore, piano, piano lessons, simply music, simply music piano, the playground, tutorial

Simply Music Teacher Jennifer Lee continues the conversation about writing songs with a reflection on how simple projects can be the unexpected beginnings of great inspirations, including some of the wonderful songs on her forthcoming […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Jan 31, 2018
• create, jennifer lee, musicians, simply music, singer-songwriter, songwriting, teachers, the playground, women songwriters

Although music is generally considered a social activity, I also treasure the personal experience of private listening. One of my favourite times to listen is when I’m out walking. Music always takse me to another […]

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Dec 5, 2017
• coaching, earbuds, gordon harvey, headphones, listen to music, listening, music, musicians, the playground

After our Songwriting Tips from Simply Music Friends – Pt 1 post, we asked contributors to give us a more in-depth insight into their process of creating songs. You’ll find that there are as many […]

• Written by Guest Contributor on Nov 27, 2017
• gordon harvey, music, music education, musician, musicians, piano, play piano, simply music, songwriting, Sue Lopez, the playground

I once attended a workshop with the British singer Sheila Chandra in which she sang a whole bunch of songs from various world cultures over a two-note drone. It was amazing the rich variety of […]

• Written by Gordon Harvey on May 10, 2017
• chords, gordon harvey, gretta dunn, music, music education, musicians, One Chord Songs, piano, Play Music, self expression, simply music, the playground

The Playground has previously posted a list of some of films worth watching in which our favorite instrument, the Piano, was featured prominently. Following up on that post, I’d like to share some notable films […]

• Written by Daniel Kielman on Apr 26, 2017
• Composers, composing, daniel kielman, music, music education, musicians, piano, simply music, the playground

The 21st century is a great time to be a music lover. But it’s not such a great time for musicians. Not all of the new ways of finding and listening to music pay the […]

• Written by Daniel Kielman on Mar 1, 2017
• Artists, Consumer Trends, daniel kielman, music, music education, musicians, piano, simply music, support, the playground

It was interesting to read a recent article by educator Robbie Gennet suggesting that sheet music may not be necessary in music education. Just as enlightening, if not more so, was the reaction in the […]

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Oct 11, 2015
• classical, composer, culture, ensemble, learn piano, music education, music lessons, musicians, notation, piano lessons, play, reading music, robbie gennet, sheet music, simply music, solo, teach piano, the playground, tradition