Carol

Has anyone ever used the "Simply Music" tapes/CD to learn how to play
the piano? And does anyone have these and want to sell them?

I just learned of this method from another homeshooling mom. It sounds
like a perfect fit into our unschooling method, of allowing children to
learn to play, simply for the fun of playing! It is based on the
premiss that everyone has a natural sense of music, from the rhythmic
way we walk and talk to our heartbeat, breathing etc.....

Accordingly, with this approach, kids immediatlry learn to play songs
through immitation, instead of the boring traditional method of first
learning to read music. In the introductory video, they described their
method, with how kids learn to talk - by first hearing and listening
then immitating what they hear. Then, after building a reportoire of
about 30 songs from pop to blues to classical, is learning to read
music then introduced. ( Hey, according that's how Paul McCartney
learned to play the guitar and other instuments. It wasn't until after
he became famous, that he then learned how to read music).

Here's their website. www.simplymusic.net <http://www.simplymusic.net>

Let me know if anyone's had experience with this method and if its worth
our investing money into, for our daughters to learn to play the piano.

Thanks,

Carol







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Pamela Sorooshian

On Apr 5, 2007, at 8:00 AM, Carol wrote:

> Let me know if anyone's had experience with this method and if its
> worth
> our investing money into, for our daughters to learn to play the
> piano.

In reading your post, what struck me was that you didn't talk about
the girls' interest in piano. What is their interest? Do they feel
the same way? Have they already shown an interest in piano by picking
out lots of songs for themselves, asking people who do play to show
them how to play simple songs, etc? Whose idea IS it that they should
learn to play the piano?

The "method" isn't as important as whether or not you are providing
the resources for supporting their interests versus you choosing what
and how they ought to learn something. This particular program sounds
cool, but it may or may not interest them - only spend money on it if
you're willing for them to not be interested. I have bought things
like that and had them available just because I had a feeling that it
might be of interest at some time. I loved it when that happened - I
could pull something off a shelf and it would be just the right
thing. But, building up an inventory of "cool stuff" means I also
spent money on things that were never used.

In my family, two of my three girls did show a lot of interest in
piano - they played on the piano a lot and they picked out lots of
songs and they got other people to show them songs. So I got simple
piano books and left them on the piano for them and answered a few
simple questions about reading music. I got a keyboard - full size
with realistic key action and lots of fun sounds/percussion, etc., to
play with. They played around with it a lot, over years. Then one of
them asked for lessons and I arranged that, for a while, until she
didn't want to go anymore. She didn't stop playing the piano, just
tired of the lessons after just a few sessions (I think she'd learned
enough to want to do it on her own again). She played on her own for
several more years, picking out songs, building her skills. Two of my
three daughters took some piano lessons again in their mid/late
teens, at the community college. Roxana is in an intermediate piano
class now and plans to continue.


-pam
Relay for Life
http://www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/longbeach/pamsoroosh



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sandra Dodd

-=-It sounds
like a perfect fit into our unschooling method, of allowing children to
learn to play, simply for the fun of playing!-=-

I don't think of unschooling as a method.

-=-In the introductory video, they described their
method, with how kids learn to talk - by first hearing and listening
then immitating what they hear. Then, after building a reportoire of
about 30 songs from pop to blues to classical, is learning to read
music then introduced. -=-

Did they have an introductory video about their method of teaching
kids to talk too?

-=-by first hearing and listening
then immitating what they hear.-=-

Do your kids sing?
Do they imitate tunes vocally?

-=-( Hey, according that's how Paul McCartney
learned to play the guitar and other instuments. It wasn't until after
he became famous, that he then learned how to read music).-=-

Not after learning 30 songs out of a course. After writing and
publishing and performing and recording for 20 years or more, then he
learned to read music.

Sandra

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Leslie

I just thought I'd share, I've played piano as long as I can remember.

I learned because my grandmother played, she wrote numbers on a paper, and
the paper on the keys, so each key was marked with a number, then put
numbers on her sheet music (she has a book of nursery ryhmes, with the
music), for most of them, and when I came across one that didn't have the
music marked with numbers I asked her to do it for me.

Eventually I figured out how the notes on the sheet music were connected
to the numbers, and I remember one night figuring out how to read music,
becuase I had seen it so much.

I'm not saying that that is THE WAY to learn music/how to play piano, but
it worked for me. I currently play at the college level...
Leslie


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Carol

--- In [email protected], Pamela Sorooshian
<pamsoroosh@...> wrote:
>
> In reading your post, what struck me was that you didn't talk about
> the girls' interest in piano. What is their interest? Do they feel
> the same way? Have they already shown an interest in piano by picking
> out lots of songs for themselves, asking people who do play to show
> them how to play simple songs, etc? Whose idea IS it that they should
> learn to play the piano?

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=

Pam,

My girls are 6 1/2 and 8 1/2. For years, both have shown lots of
interest in wanting to learn to play the piano. We've had several of
those kids keyboards around the house for years and they are always
playing on them. They've given concerts for us and friends, using their
keyboards and kids megaphones that goes with one of the keyboards. And
the songs they play have always been songs they've learned by
themselves. They've always loved playing on my brother's piano since
they were little, whenever they go ever. Yes, my kids definately have
shown interest in wanting to play!

Also, my 8 year old really enjoyed learning to play the guitar from a
college student when she was just turning 5, for about 4 months. She
actually was reading music and playing several songs. She even asked
if she could give a Thanksgiving recital for all my family when she was
5. Unfortuanately, the college student left, after only 4 months with
my daughter. We did check into finding another teacher through a local
music studio, but they felt 5 was too young and unfortunately we
didn't pursue it any further.

And, my youngest, at 4 1/2 sang her heart out at the St. Louis L & L
talent show. Her songs and jokes were all chosen by her, and when she
got up on stage, I don't think she even knew exactly what she was going
to do or say. And now, at 6 1/2, she says she wants to be in a band!

Anyhow, we actually bought a used piano at Christmas time. The girls
have been playing on it every since, and have taught themsevles lots of
simply kids songs - like "Mary had a little lamb" and "Are you
sleeping". Shortly after we got it, they taught themselves how to play
"Happy Birthday" when we had our neighbor over for her 79th birthday.
I have never once even prodded them to play, yet they probably play on
it 2-3 times a week. One day they even taught themselve how to play,
"Here Comes the Bride" while playing dress-up or something that involved
a wedding.

I've just been hesitant in signing them up for lessons. I've been
afraid the traditional piano lessons with teachers who all expect their
students to practice so many hours a week, and playing the usual boring
songs in beginner's books, would just zap their fun and interest in
wanting to play.

Sorry, I didn't explain why I was asking about the "Simply Music". I
didn't really think I had to write a long e-mail to justify why I was
asking. Being an unschooler, I just assumed that other's would assume
the interest was from my children, not something I was forcing upon
them. If anything, I actually feel somewhat guilty for not having
bought a piano earlier, when they first began to show interest, or
further pursuing their interest in the guitar.

So, my question is simply, are traditional piano lessons or using a
non-traditional approach ( as the simply Music), a good match for
children who already show interest in wanting to learn to play the
piano? Especially, for children as young as 6 ond 8. My kids have
shown an interest in the piano and other instruments for years. I 'd
just hate to suddenly zap it becuase of the wrong type of lessons. And,
I figured several on this list have had experience with their kids
learning to play the piano and was hoping to hear their first hand
experiences and advise.

Carol



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sandra Dodd

-=-Sorry, I didn't explain why I was asking about the "Simply Music". I
didn't really think I had to write a long e-mail to justify why I was
asking. Being an unschooler, I just assumed that other's would assume
the interest was from my children, not something I was forcing upon
them.-=-

Well you don't have to write anything, but people come and go on the
list all the time, so any writer or any reader could be brand new and
the more you explain, the better.

Sandra

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Gold Standard

>>So, my question is simply, are traditional piano lessons or using a
>>non-traditional approach ( as the simply Music), a good match for
>>children who already show interest in wanting to learn to play the
>>piano? <<

Since all children who already show an interest in wanting to learn to play
the piano are not the same, the more important question to answer is, do
your children like it? Let 'em try it and see what they think.

Jacki

Pamela Sorooshian

On Apr 5, 2007, at 6:02 PM, Carol wrote:

> Sorry, I didn't explain why I was asking about the "Simply Music". I
> didn't really think I had to write a long e-mail to justify why I was
> asking.

Not a long email, but there wasn't any reference to the children's
interest, so it was hard to respond to what you did ask, without
knowing whether it was you or the kids who were interested.

> Being an unschooler, I just assumed that other's would assume
> the interest was from my children, not something I was forcing upon
> them.

I didn't mean to offend you, Carol, by not knowing that you're an
unschooler. But, you can understand that I didn't know, right? And,
it is amazing how many people call themselves unschoolers even though
they do impose things like music lessons or daily math practice, etc.

> If anything, I actually feel somewhat guilty for not having
> bought a piano earlier, when they first began to show interest, or
> further pursuing their interest in the guitar.

They're young - you have time. Guilt is good if it spurs you on, not
so good if it weighs you down.

>
> So, my question is simply, are traditional piano lessons or using a
> non-traditional approach ( as the simply Music), a good match for
> children who already show interest in wanting to learn to play the
> piano? Especially, for children as young as 6 ond 8. My kids have
> shown an interest in the piano and other instruments for years. I 'd
> just hate to suddenly zap it becuase of the wrong type of lessons.

Good question. I thought about the same stuff for years, because my
kids have also always been very interested in music. And, yes, too-
early formal lessons DID kill their initial interest in certain
instruments and I'm extremely sorry to not have protected them more.
So, yeah, worth worrying over. When they ever wanted any kind of
music lessons, after that, I was really clear with the teacher that
we were not going to be enforcing practice time and that the point
was for them to have a good time, not to be scolded or pressured.

So - to your real question. The program sounds pretty fun and, if it
was me with my kids, I might buy it, depending on the cost. I
wouldn't introduce it to them as a replacement for lessons, but just
something cool and fun that they might enjoy. I would treat it no
differently than if you bought a movie or a game or a new piece of
play equipment or a toy for them. As I said before, be prepared for
the possibility that it may not, in fact, appeal to them. If that
happens, don't push it. Put it away - maybe it'll appeal later,
probably not.

I've seen this happen though -- kids show an interest in something,
let's say it is gymnastics. The child jumps and hops and learns to do
great forward and backward rolls and cartwheels and round-offs and
hand-stands and climbs like a monkey and so on. Obviously REALLY
enjoys the physical activity and demonstrates some level of talent.
People say to the parent, "You should get him/her into gymnastics."
Mom asks child, "Hey, want to go sign up for gymnastics?" They go
have a look at the apparatus looks heavenly to the child - huge
trampolines, bars to swing from, and on and on. Wow! So the kid signs
up, has talent, learns and moves up. Pretty soon there is pressure to
come to practices more and more often, more and more hours are
expected. The sessions become less and less fun and more and more
like work. The child eventually just totally quits and never does any
gymnastics again. This is the USUAL situation for young people who
are extremely proficient in a sport, by the way. Most do not continue
enjoying it into adulthood, it becomes associated with work and
worry, not with fun.

Would have been better if Mom would have responded by saying, "Yeah,
he is really enjoying gymnastics right now, in his own way." And let
it go, for then, rather than thinking the kid needed to get into some
more formal gymnastics program. I mean, unless the parent has goals
for the child to compete at some high level, then it would be better
to just notice the child IS doing gymnastics and enjoying it. Why
interfere with that?

So - we're talking about some very young children who are really into
music, not a parent pushing a child into competitive sports, right
<G>? I know, there is a big difference. But there is still a warning
there. I've seen the exact same thing happen with youth theater and
with musical instruments. So, your concern is well founded, imo.

You might ask yourself whether or not they need anything more right
now than access to musical instruments, exposure to lots of music,
maybe access to some musically-inclined friends to show them a few
things once in a while. Maybe, if they are very interested, they'd
like some low-key and relatively casual ongoing lessons from someone
who will have fun with them. I'm just worried that the purchase of
some kind of program to follow will make it seem, to them, like what
they were doing wasn't worthwhile. It would be totally okay for them
to "just" play around on the piano for years, if that was fun for
them, right? Just keep in mind that if they ARE playing the piano and
are happy with how things are going, you could mess that up for them
by acting like it isn't good enough without some kind of instruction
(no matter how cool the method seems). So - that's the warning.


-pam sorooshian

Relay for Life
http://www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/longbeach/pamsoroosh




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Lorilee Kopp

"Sorry, I didn't explain why I was asking about the "Simply Music". I
didn't really think I had to write a long e-mail to justify why I was
asking. Being an unschooler, I just assumed that other's would assume
the interest was from my children, not something I was forcing upon
them."

I agree with you. It can be a real burdon to read really long e-
mails, especially when you are just looking for some practical
advice and not emotional advice. Keeping it short is more polite in
my opinion. I knew what you meant all along and I am new to the
group. I thought you were pretty clear.
Lorilee
--- In [email protected], "Carol" <carolfhs79@...>
wrote:
>
>
>
> --- In [email protected], Pamela Sorooshian
> <pamsoroosh@> wrote:
> >
> > In reading your post, what struck me was that you didn't talk
about
> > the girls' interest in piano. What is their interest? Do they
feel
> > the same way? Have they already shown an interest in piano by
picking
> > out lots of songs for themselves, asking people who do play to
show
> > them how to play simple songs, etc? Whose idea IS it that they
should
> > learn to play the piano?
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=
>
> Pam,
>
> My girls are 6 1/2 and 8 1/2. For years, both have shown lots of
> interest in wanting to learn to play the piano. We've had
several of
> those kids keyboards around the house for years and they are
always
> playing on them. They've given concerts for us and friends, using
their
> keyboards and kids megaphones that goes with one of the
keyboards. And
> the songs they play have always been songs they've learned by
> themselves. They've always loved playing on my brother's piano
since
> they were little, whenever they go ever. Yes, my kids definately
have
> shown interest in wanting to play!
>
> Also, my 8 year old really enjoyed learning to play the guitar
from a
> college student when she was just turning 5, for about 4 months.
She
> actually was reading music and playing several songs. She even
asked
> if she could give a Thanksgiving recital for all my family when
she was
> 5. Unfortuanately, the college student left, after only 4 months
with
> my daughter. We did check into finding another teacher through a
local
> music studio, but they felt 5 was too young and unfortunately we
> didn't pursue it any further.
>
> And, my youngest, at 4 1/2 sang her heart out at the St. Louis L &
L
> talent show. Her songs and jokes were all chosen by her, and when
she
> got up on stage, I don't think she even knew exactly what she was
going
> to do or say. And now, at 6 1/2, she says she wants to be in a
band!
>
> Anyhow, we actually bought a used piano at Christmas time. The
girls
> have been playing on it every since, and have taught themsevles
lots of
> simply kids songs - like "Mary had a little lamb" and "Are you
> sleeping". Shortly after we got it, they taught themselves how to
play
> "Happy Birthday" when we had our neighbor over for her 79th
birthday.
> I have never once even prodded them to play, yet they probably
play on
> it 2-3 times a week. One day they even taught themselve how to
play,
> "Here Comes the Bride" while playing dress-up or something that
involved
> a wedding.
>
> I've just been hesitant in signing them up for lessons. I've been
> afraid the traditional piano lessons with teachers who all expect
their
> students to practice so many hours a week, and playing the usual
boring
> songs in beginner's books, would just zap their fun and interest in
> wanting to play.
>
> Sorry, I didn't explain why I was asking about the "Simply
Music". I
> didn't really think I had to write a long e-mail to justify why I
was
> asking. Being an unschooler, I just assumed that other's would
assume
> the interest was from my children, not something I was forcing
upon
> them. If anything, I actually feel somewhat guilty for not having
> bought a piano earlier, when they first began to show interest, or
> further pursuing their interest in the guitar.
>
> So, my question is simply, are traditional piano lessons or using a
> non-traditional approach ( as the simply Music), a good match for
> children who already show interest in wanting to learn to play the
> piano? Especially, for children as young as 6 ond 8. My kids have
> shown an interest in the piano and other instruments for years.
I 'd
> just hate to suddenly zap it becuase of the wrong type of
lessons. And,
> I figured several on this list have had experience with their kids
> learning to play the piano and was hoping to hear their first hand
> experiences and advise.
>
> Carol
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[email protected]

Wanted to share our experiences with music and music lessons. Both my kids
and I took some piano lessons when we were about 7, 10 and 47. A traditional
approach although I didn't really say much about practicing. Our teacher
was my sister who lived next door which was convenient. My son took lessons
for about a year, my daughter about 3 years and I made it through one book
which took me about a year.

It seemed we each just stopped having a strong interest in the weekly
lessons and moved on to other things. My son took guitar lessons for a few weeks
but just didn't enjoy it at all at that age. My daughter got into singing and
loved everything about it and has continued with that for years. She started
guitar lessons a couple of years ago. My son recently started some drum
lessons.

So now, the kids are 14 and 17 and I'm older also...<g> Music just
continued to be a big part of our lives and we now have a piano, 4 guitars and a drum
set. For a while, my son also played an ocarina and a harmonica. Both kids
love playing music and most all they play now is from hearing something they
like and looking up the music online and then playing it. During part of
every day, our house has some singing, guitar playing and drumming going on.
Sometimes the kids just jam together and it's very cool.

I think just having the instruments around was the biggest thing and I never
said anything about times when none of them were being played. The piano
lessons were a good foundation for an introduction to reading music and the
basics and I have no idea if they would have developed their interests if we
hadn't taken the lessons.

I'm the one who has the most difficulty with pursuing my interest in playing
the guitar right now. However, that's a completely different post and one
more about my difficulty with following my passions than anything about
lessons.

Even when no one was playing the instruments, I liked having them around.
I love the piano and the guitars. It's amazing how many people will just
sit down and play something when they are here. I'm still getting used to the
drums. I'm thinking I might like to move them away from the kitchen...<g>

Gail


I



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Carol

--- In [email protected], Pamela Sorooshian
<pamsoroosh@...> wrote:
>
> ..... So - to your real question. The program sounds pretty fun and,
if it was me with my kids, I might buy it, depending on the cost. I
wouldn't introduce it to them as a replacement for lessons, but just
something cool and fun that they might enjoy. ..............>
> >
> ...... You might ask yourself whether or not they need anything more
right now than access to musical instruments, exposure to lots of
music, maybe access to some musically-inclined friends to show them a
few things once in a while. Maybe, if they are very interested, they'd
like some low-key and relatively casual ongoing lessons from someone
who will have fun with them. I'm just worried that the purchase of some
kind of program to follow will make it seem, to them, like what they
were doing wasn't worthwhile. It would be totally okay for them to
"just" play around on the piano for years, if that was fun for them,
right? Just keep in mind that if they ARE playing the piano and are
happy with how things are going, you could mess that up for them by
acting like it isn't good enough without some kind of instruction (no
matter how cool the method seems). So - that's the warning.
>
>
> -pam sorooshian


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=

Pam,

Thanks for all your advise and concerns/warnings.

Those are all the same concerns and fears I have.

My 8 year old is especially intersted in wanting to take lessons. She's
been "goofing" on the piano for years now, and is definately ready and
wanting to do more. She keeps asking when can she start taking lessons.

She watched the "Simply Music" introductory video with me and was really
interested in wanting to learn this way. She understands our
unschooling approach and knows she's not obligated to ever practice or
continue, if she doesn't want to.

I too, thought this appraoch sounded like fun. I agree, it should not
to be a replacement for real lessons, if her interests continue and that
what she wants down the road. I did find on their website that they
have their own certified teachers , with 1 being just 30 minutes away.
Unfortunately, she's not teaching at this time due to some personal
reasons, but hopes to be teaching again, by the end of the year. So,
hopefully, we have the option, that if we go with this approach, we can
eventually continue with this style of learning, with a real teacher.

I like your idea of introducing it, or any lessons, fairly low key,
with no expectations other than for them to continue to have fun. I
wish I did know of someone who played the piano and would just do some
casual, fun playing with her, to see if this sparks any further interest
of learning to play. Unfortunatley, I've only heard of really
structured teachers in our small town.

Thanks again, Pam, for all your advise.

And, if anyone has any experience using the "SimplyMusic " appraoch or
any other non-traditional approaches, please share your experiences and
advise.

Thanks,

Carol





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sandra Dodd

-=I agree with you. It can be a real burdon to read really long e-
mails, especially when you are just looking for some practical
advice and not emotional advice-=-

This list isn't for practical advice, though. It's for talking about
how and why natural learning works, and what can keep it from working.

-=-Keeping it short is more polite in my opinion.-=-

Details that make it clear to all readers that the person writing
does truly understand and practice unschooling will make a difference
in the value of the practical advice.

Brevity isn't courtesy when the subject matter involves how our
children can be provided with the best unschooling environment.

Sandra
listowner






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sandra Dodd

-=-So,
hopefully, we have the option, that if we go with this approach, we can
eventually continue with this style of learning, with a real teacher.-=-

If this approach and this style of learning needs "a real teacher,"
then I question its value in an unschooling context.
If the mom is glad to have "a real teacher," maybe it's not such an
alternative approach.

And here again, as always, I'm talking about natural learning and not
about the particulars of the question.

Sandra

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

plaidpanties666

--- In [email protected], "Carol" <carolfhs79@...> wrote:
> I wish I did know of someone who played the piano and would just do
some
> casual, fun playing with her, to see if this sparks any further
interest
> of learning to play. Unfortunatley, I've only heard of really
> structured teachers in our small town.

What about other musicians - not just pianists? My partner and dd love
to "jam" together, and sometimes with friends. He plays guitar, bass
or mandolin, and she'll play on the piano or drum. Its very
unstructured, and not like formal lessons at all, but a lot of musical
information gets exchanged in the process.

Meredith (Mo 5, Ray 13)

Carol

Tamara,

I had asked a similiar question last year. Below is my question ( post
#28376). We ended up buying the "Simply Music "DVD's ( explained below)
and my kids and I instantly began playing songs. The DVD does teach
one how to properly position your hands, play chords, etc... without
all the boring repititious learning of scales and notes, until one has
learned about a 30 song repretoir.

I've never prodded my kids to play. They periodically will just begin
playing on their own, which unfortunately can be a good month or more
between playing. But, ironically just yesterday evening my 9 year
started playing the piano on her own, of songs she had learned from the
DVD. It was so nice to listen to her plaing while I was cleaning up
after dinner.

I would definitely recommend these DVD's!

~ Carol

--- In [email protected], "Carol" <carolfhs79@...> wrote:>
( from April 5, 2007)

Has anyone ever used the "Simply Music" tapes/CD to learn how to play
the piano? And does anyone have these and want to sell them?

I just learned of this method from another homeshooling mom. It sounds
like a perfect fit into our unschooling method, of allowing children to
learn to play, simply for the fun of playing! It is based on the
premiss that everyone has a natural sense of music, from the rhythmic
way we walk and talk to our heartbeat, breathing etc.....

Accordingly, with this approach, kids immediatlry learn to play songs
through immitation, instead of the boring traditional method of first
learning to read music. In the introductory video, they described their
method, with how kids learn to talk - by first hearing and listening
then immitating what they hear. Then, after building a reportoire of
about 30 songs from pop to blues to classical, is learning to read
music then introduced.

Here's their website. www.simplymusic.net http://www.simplymusic.net
<http://www.simplymusic.net>

Let me know if anyone's had experience with this method and if its worth
our investing money into, for our daughters to learn to play the piano.

Thanks,

Carol




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]