Simply Music

Simply Music is the largest, playing-based music education institution in the world. It primarily is responsible for creating, developing and presenting playing-based music education programs designed for both teachers and students. The organization licenses its proprietary, Australian-developed programs to trained Simply Music educators, and currently the method is offered at 325 teaching locations on three continents. Approximately 6,000 students and families are currently learning with teachers throughout the world, and more than 25,000 families in 13 countries, have participated in Simply Music’s self-instructional DVD program. As of August 2008, the organization was developing plans for Simply Music's outreach to extend into Europe and Asia.

History

The method was created by Australian-born music educator, Neil Moore, and is based on his childhood experience of hearing music and visualizing shapes and patterns. At the age of 7, Moore began formal piano lessons and spent many years in this environment. He did not learn to read music during that time. Instead, he saw a direct correlation between the shapes and patterns he would visualize, their placement on the keyboard, the order in which notes were played and the subsequent outcome of immediately playing comparatively advanced music.

As an adult, Moore did go on to learn to read music. It appeared obvious to him however, that there were populations of people everywhere, who longed to play the piano, but were frustrated by the traditional insistence that students start by reading music as the means of learning to play. He challenged the traditional belief that music reading and theory were the correct starting point. Moore asserted that most everything else we learn, is learned by “doing” and through trial and error. A clear example of this is that, as children, we first discover language and are freely talking for years before learning to read and spell. In reality, it is the very fact that we have such a command of our vocabulary that allows us to make sense of letters and words, and ultimately learn to read and write easily and naturally.

The Simply Music method follows a similar path. It first translates entire pieces into simple shapes and patterns that students can clearly see and easily play on the keyboard. Simply Music does not diminish the importance of learning to read music. Instead, the process is merely delayed. Simply Music students build a vast repertoire of great-sounding music, and with this as their foundation, develop an appropriate technique, learn how to read more easily, and as a by-product, naturally begin developing their ability to “play by ear.”

In January 1998, Simply Music opened its first studio location in Sacramento, California. By mid-1999, Simply Music had 5 studio locations in the greater Sacramento region.In January 2002, Simply Music launched a distance-based, Teacher Training Program that offered international Licensing opportunities to educators across the United States as well as other countriesBy August 2008, Simply Music had over 325 educators in studio locations throughout Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada.

Methodology

The Simply Music method was created by Australian music educator, Neil Moore, and first released in January 1998. Proponents of the method assert that Simply Music differs from traditional programs that, most commonly, fall into three distinct categories:

Reading-based methods

The majority of all music education programs fall into this category, whereby students ability to play piano is entirely dictated by their ability to read music.

Technique-based methods

These programs delay the reading process, but concentrate on developing the technique necessary to elevating to adult, concert-level performance

Aural-based methods

These programs focus on developing students' ability to 'play by ear', where their ability to play music is determined by their capacity to establish an aural/physical relationship with the keyboard.

Playing-based Methodology

In contrast to these distinct education approaches, and acknowledging that certain programs utilize a combination of the above approaches, Simply Music distinguishes itself by presenting a curriculum based on a completely different set of principles. Simply Music does not focus on reading, technique nor playing by ear. It immerses students in the actual process and experience of playing, and teaches students to break down pieces of music into tools, perspectives and concepts that unfold directly onto the keyboard - shapes, patterns, sentences, fragments etc.

External links

* [http://www.simplymusic.com Simply Music official site]
* [http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS207235+13-May-2008+PRN20080513 Simply Music teams with Hal Leonard]
* [http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS80939+07-Apr-2008+PRN20080407 Public Relations Press Release]
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2001_June_14/ai_75516372 Simply Music and Casio in Inner City Schools]
* [http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/reviews.php?rid=740 Homeschooling Method Review]
* [http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2008/03/06/simply-music/ Business Opportunity Blog]
* [http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1219&u_sid=10230575 Simply Music and Autism - World Herald News Article]
* [http://pocketsofthefuture.com/blog/?p=86 Independent Homeschooling Student interview]
* [http://www.homeschoolnewslink.com/homeschool/productguide/simplymusic.shtml The Link Homeschooling Magazine Program Review]

Simply Music International Locations

* [http://www.simplymusic.com/SelectState?country=Australia Australia Teaching Locations]
* [http://www.simplymusic.com/SelectState?country=USA USA Teaching Locations]
* [http://www.simplymusic.com/SelectState?country=Canada Canada Teaching Locations]
* [http://www.simplymusic.com/SelectState?country=New%20Zealand New Zealand Teaching Locations]