Three Legged Stool

A 3-legged stool, no matter how strong it’s made out of will not stand if one leg is broken. Each leg is EQUALLY required for it to stand and support weight.
We have an amazing “stool” in our hands. Simply Music is a method that DELIVERS on it’s promise. It will produce students who will develop playing the piano as a natural self expression, students that are able to think critically and problem solve, and students who will enjoy playing as a lifelong companion for the rest of their lives. For this to happen, we have to understand the roles that each leg plays to support the method.
Method Coach (1st Leg)
your Piano Teacher
As your METHOD COACH, we will:
- Be on time.
- Always be prepared for class.
- Deliver this method as best as we can.
- Use and implement tools that will encourage practicing and help students learn better.
- Be very patient and encouraging with a good balance of being firm about our expectations and requirements.
- Consistent and open with all our communications with parents/students regarding the program.
- Continue to better ourselves as a teachers by attending trainings/conferences and also better ourselves as a pianists by practicing.
Life Coach (2nd Leg)
the parent or for the adults, you are your own life coach!
As the LIFE COACH, the way you approach music will affect the way your child sees music. If you value music and playing the piano as a great and useful skill to have, you must:
- Trust the Method Coach even when you don’t understand or necessarily agree with us.
- Support your child’s daily practice time, making sure that the playlist homework is being done every single week and marked, using Tonara.
- Attend and participate in the lessons (Students 16 and under need parent supervision at the in person lessons and Students 10 and under need active parent participation during the lesson).
- Read and adhere to all the Payment, Attendance and Class Policies.
- Read and respond to emails.
- Remain flexible with the possibility of your child moving into a faster or slower paced class, depending on what will ensure your child’s success.
- Put away distractions such as cellphones during in person classes or make sure distractions are minimized during online classes (Check online class policies)
Student (3rd Leg)
You!
During class, the student must:
- Be on time.
- Attend with a parent if under the age of 16 or attend with an active participating parent if under the age of 10.
- Always listen and always wait for instructions prior to doing anything or proceeding to play a piece.
- Obtain missed materials from a fellow student.
- Bring a Notebook, Pen and all required SHM.
- Not chew gum, have snacks while in class or any other beverage except water.
- Participate fully.
At home, the student (with the support of the life coach) must:
- Establish a consistent practice time of 5 days a week, 10-15 minutes per day (Levels 1 - 3) and 30-45 minutes per day (Levels 4 and up).
- Understand that practice is non negotiable and is a necessary commitment.
- Keep the playlist alive.
- Use Best Practice App during practice time.
- NOT WATCH VIDEOS that have not been learned in class.