Simpedia

Hello. How would you handle this? I have an older student ( age 15) in a group with another boy. The student in question picks things up super quickly. Leaves a lesson with complete grasp and understanding of all new pieces. Quick learner. He is in level one on Fur Elise. I don’t normally check…

Hi there SM Teachers, What platforms do you recommend for automating piano tuition payments? I’m considering setting up recurring monthly billing for my studio and would love to hear what systems other teachers use. I use SquareUp. I know some folks that use Fons. Amy L. Do you just mean Square? Do you use it…

Hey teachers — I want to open up a conversation about something we’ve all been taught in our training, and something I’ve been saying to parents for years: “Have your child practice at the same time every day.” It’s clean, simple advice. And I understand why Neil teaches it — consistency matters. But after spending…

Several years ago, I started having students expand on the She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain Variation by suggesting that any of the four “Bottom-Right-Top-Right” moments could be doubled as a “berry” the way the 2nd of those moments is doubled in the formal “Blueberry Mouthful” variation, and that they could vary their doubling/berry rhythmic…

I want to share something I’ve been reflecting on as a teacher — not as a criticism of traditional classical training, but as an explanation of why I choose to teach the way I do. Traditional classical music education has given the world incredible discipline, structure, and musical literacy. It teaches focus, perseverance, and attention…

I’m really interested in everyone’s perspective. Multiple studies over decades report that roughly 50–70% of musicians (including pianists) experience playing-related musculoskeletal pain or injury during their training or careers. Given that traditional piano pedagogy relies heavily on standardised posture rules, prescribed hand positions, and visual ideals of “correct” technique, how do you reconcile those injury…

Subsequent to Unmani M.’s post regarding “Shoo-fly” arrangement from Arrangements 3 (originally taught in Level 5), I thought I’d take a moment to revive a discussion from more than a DECADE ago about the fact that Shoo-fly is a BLUES piece 😎. For reference you can view the previous discussion on Simpedia here (https://simpedia.info/shoo-fly-blues), or…

My adult student made this book with the help of chat GPT. He has included some inspiration messages for himself, some aspirations as a musician and a repertoire. Title: My Piano Journey: One Note at a Time Text on the back page: THIS MUSIC BOOK IS A REFLECTION OF MY JOURNEY — A GROWING COLLECTION…

Here’s a first! For those who have an initial or annual enrollment fee, have you ever had anyone ask you to “explain the enrollment fee and what that goes to?” How did you answer? I feel kinda weirded by it. I’ve signed up my son for all kinds of activities and never once thought to…

Anyone tried Mooz for online lessons? Thanks ahead of time for your sharing your thoughts. Yes. It’s great 👍 Equal quality to Rockoutloud but easier to use and easier onboarding for students. Ian B. The cost is double compared to Zoom, right? Kym N. Compared to Zoom it’s $10 more per month for pro plan.…

I thought i would share this with you. Its a parent support kit i put together you are all more than welcome to use it if it helps you Scott Jones’ Expanded Parent Support Toolkit Original conversation started May 3, 2025

Jazz Clue 2 questions. 😊 What to play in “Here to Stay”, measure 4, LH? Playing A7 on every beat sounds too ‘vanilla’. Also, any voicing suggestions for the final measure? Ok, here’s my response: Neil’s Video Answer It is basically the Fly Me To The Moon progression and I just can’t help but hear…