I received an e-mail from a friend in another city asking if I know anything about the Simply Music method of teaching. They are looking for a new teacher for their daughter, and a teacher they are considering switching to uses this method. Are any of you familiar with this method? Or do any of you use it? Do you think it would be a good approach for a transfer student? What are the pros and cons? I would love to know your thoughts and opinions, since I am completely unfamiliar with it.
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What I don’t like about Simply Music is that they take someone who has little or no music training and trains them in their program, then sets them up as a teacher. I think this is the wrong direction to go. Beginners need the most highly trained and experienced teachers that know the pitfalls and bad habits that can develop in a young student. I don’t know anyone personally that has placed their child with a Simply Music program. My information mostly comes from having looked into their website and talking to them at the Denver MTNA Convention. At this point I have mostly negative impressions.
I’ve come across Simply Music living over here in Australia. (I’m originally from Indiana living over here temporarily). I was working right next to the head office and studio of Simply Music here in Melbourne for a month or so as a temp. I finally went in one day and spoke to the guy regarding it as I was curious what it was. I have a bachelors of music degree and have been teaching piano part time for 7-8 years. I think they have a very unique idea going in that it gives an opportunity for all ages to be able to sit down at the piano and be making “music” from the start. The don’t begin with teaching note learning, musical “terms” and such up front but does further down the line. Students learn to PLAY first. I do see where it could be very appealing for a lot of people, especially adults who just want to sit down and play for fun or relaxation but can’t commit themselves wholeheartedly. I actually spoke to a woman awhile back from Tasmania who is enrolled in the program and did nothing but RAVE about it. She practically shamed me for not getting the certification myself! To be honest, I had considered it briefly (before I ever met her) because, as a person who’s learned via traditional method my whole life I’ve always struggled with being able to just “play” without my books and notes. I’m a “note-reading” pianist! Sometimes I hate that- as I never was taught how to really “hear” and “understand” where the music went (until I went to college! and even now I struggle with it). I now want to equip my students to do not only what I believe is important, the playing and theory and note reading, but the hearing and feeling where it SHOULD and COULD go. I can’t say for sure as I’ve never seen the curriculum but I think it would be hard for a transfer student (depending on how long they’ve been playing) I could be totally wrong though. I wouldn’t shoot it down at all but would give it a chance. If the child is older though and considering making a career in music then perhaps they should stick with the traditional method for college preparation.
I heartily recommend the Simply Music method. I know of no other method that produces the results that Simply Music produces. Simply Music is based on the premise that everyone without exception is deeply and profoundly musical. Therefore, everyone is capable of learning to play piano. Because every Simply Music teacher is committed to this foundational belief, they are committed to producing students who will have a lifelong love of playing the piano.
Simply Music students are taught a way of learning. Students learn to play the piano in multiple musical genres, right from the start, with both hands. Not only do students learn to play the piano, they also compose music, learn to write music, read music, and improvise music. Simply Music students learn music theory in the realm of application, meaning that not only do they learn every chord, in every key signature, they also learn how to use the chords. In addition, Simply Music students are not intimidated by the thought of transposition or improvisation because they are given the necessary skills and information.
All that being said, not even Simply Music is all things to all people. I believe that most transfer students would find Simply Music refreshing because of the naturalness to the approach and the additional skills most methods do not offer, for example, music composition and improvisation, as well as music writing. However, if the transfer student only wants to read and play music, then perhaps a less comprehensive method would be appropriate.