Simpedia

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…

If using Jazz Clue 2 in “High Five”, what do you have students do in meas. 15 with the “C” chord? An open 5th sounds odd to me. Here ya go Ruth! Neil’s Video Answer As a general rule with JC2, one can pretend Major chords are Major 7ths (and similarly pretend that Minor chords…

I find that my students who don’t like to sing often shorten the ends of phrases in Dreams, Dog, Sleeping, Fur Elise, etc. so they have to work at unlearning, then learning the correct rhythm by singing with me, reviewing the audio, playing with the audio. Yes, I emphasize using the voice, and yes we…

Any suggestions for in-person lessons while I have a black out? Won’t get power till after the lessons. Level 1 through to 3, kids, the adult I think I’ll just move if the powers not on at his lesson time Cate R. pull out your music pads and get the kids on those while you…

What is your approach with young people who come to you after teaching themselves with online videos? I’ve encountered several who will work for months to master one difficult piece like Bohemian Rhapsody or Moonlight Sonata, but they can’t play anything else. They can’t read music, don’t know chords, and sometimes they can’t put 5…