The Playground

My teenage son makes an awesome cup of coffee. He bought himself a ’70s percolator and spent a considerable time experimenting with different techniques, grinds, brewing times and who knows what else. Now that he’s got his chops down, it’s almost as rewarding for me…

• Written by Gordon Harvey on Oct 3, 2017
• gordon harvey, learn, lessons, piano, play, practice, Simple Things, simply music, technique

March 29, 2017 isn’t just any ordinary day when it comes to the world of Piano. A worldwide group of likeminded individuals decided that because this day is the 88th day of the year it would only make sense to designate it Piano Day. The…

• Written by Daniel Kielman on Mar 28, 2017
• create, daniel kielman, Innovative Keyboards, music, music education, piano, piano day, play, self expression, simply music, 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

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 comments section, a lot of it quite hostile, which prompted…

• 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

How many times have you embarked on some new project bursting with enthusiasm, only to find that motivation deflated like an old party balloon at the first setback? It’s happened to all of us, and it’s at that moment that we really see what we’re…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Aug 11, 2015
• enthusiasm, journey, Laurie Richards, long term, motivated, motivation, motivational, music, music lessons, musical, peaks, piano, piano lessons, plateau, play, practice, process, robin keehn, self expression, setback, simply music, the playground, valleys

How many things can you think of that have nasty side effects? Medicines. Technologies. Political policies. Even just things we’ve said or done to people we know. How many times have you been thrust into a role or responsibility you weren’t ready for? How many…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Apr 8, 2012
• coaching, learning, lessons, mark meritt, music, piano, play, simply music, speed, the playground, time, walk

The term “Coaching” brings many things to mind but perhaps the most common is the image of a professional sports coach—like Vince Lombardi or soccer coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Professional sports coaches train athletes to perform at their very best. They spend time each day…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Dec 16, 2011
• art, coaching, lessons, music, piano, play, robin keehn, simply music, students, teachers, the playground

Last month, you saw how the Formula for Success could help you better understand yourself as a student and point the way toward improving your results. The 100 possible points came from ten different success factors. But the success factors actually go to 11, and so…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Apr 26, 2011
• coach, formula, mark meritt, music, piano, play, practice, routine, simply music, student, success, support, the playground

This song hit the radio in 2003 and I loved it. My kids couldn’t believe that Dad would even listen to something that played on ‘their’ radio stations. My son Paul bought a compilation album of hits of ’02-’03 and I immediately ‘borrowed’ it to…

• Written by SM Admin on Sep 20, 2010
• david bremner, learn, music, norah jones, piano, play, simply music, song, the playground, tutorial

Simply Music is all about music as a lifelong companion. Not necessarily a calling or a career or a life-force, but occurring in a way that our musicality becomes an everyday friend, a natural part of how we express ourselves in the world. Sometimes, though,…

• Written by Guest Contributor on Sep 20, 2010
• anneka hoorn, composing, lessons, music, piano, play, ronen, simply music, student, the playground