Simply Music - Has anyone used this method before?

[saddestpiano]

Hey all, first post here I think.

I'm fairly new to the piano and currently a senior attending college. I'm interested in learning how to play so I've contacted some of the music professors at my school seeing if they offer private lessons. I received a response from the piano program director today saying that she wants to try a new style of teaching called Simply Music. I've never heard of this before, so I'm not too sure about it. There are three other professors who I haven't emailed yet, but considering that this is the head of the piano division I trust her that the method seems reliable... though I'm still a little skeptical.

With that in mind, does anyone have any experience with Simply Music?

I will only be attending school for this semester and the next, so I'm not sure which teaching style will be suitable. One of my friends who has taken piano lessons in the past told me that I should study under a teacher for a few months or lessons, and then I can just learn on my own from there. Any inputs or advice?

[m1469]

I've never formally used this, though I've tried "non-method" methods   plenty, as well as having recently talked with another local teacher about this precise method.  I think it's based on shapes and patterns, and the one drawback she said there was is that there is really nothing about technique being taught along with it (though I think they are trying to change that).  I read a website just now about it and while they mention the many things you will learn by using this, technique is never mentioned.  If you are wondering about "reliability" within in a method of learning, I would assume it matters to you whether or not you are learning about technical matters.  

When I was talking with this woman about it, I was interested for the sake of possibly teaching those (many) who seem interested in anything BUT traditional lessons.  However, my studio has gone a different direction and while I bet I could use some ideas from it, I don't think I would use it as a strict method.  Other than that, I don't know much about it.

Especially if you're only wanting a hobby, why not try it?  There is a chance that if you are working with the head professor, she would also be able to include technical work, and who knows?  Maybe she will be extra inspired to work with you since it's a new method for her?  I will say though, generally I am a bit suspicious of methods which claim they will be having people playing all sorts of repertoire on their first day.  I'm not ruling it out as something of value, but it's not going to be the whole enchilada if that's its biggest claim to fame.  Perhaps you don't care much for enchiladas, though.

[saddestpiano]

Thanks for the quick reply. Ahaha I think I'm the sort of person who wants the whole enchilada or nothing at all. I'm hoping that the head professor will act in accordance to what you describe, but instead of an enthusiastic and passionate teacher, I can't help but envision her as the jaded stereotype looking for the most easy and efficient way to deal with students in a detached manner; but that's just the negativity in me.

I might see how the other professors intend to teach and choose from there, but being completely new I have no idea which teaching style would suit me. I also only have the remainder of this semester and next semester left before I graduate, so I'm concerned about starting the Simply Music method and then being lost later when I learn from a different teacher.

[m1469]

I can't help but envision her as the jaded stereotype looking for the most easy and efficient way to deal with students in a detached manner; but that's just the negativity in me.

The most easy and efficient way to deal with students in a detached manner is to stop caring about any sort of methods and concepts and teaching in general, but to still be open to students coming to you for help  .  

I might see how the other professors intend to teach and choose from there, but being completely new I have no idea which teaching style would suit me.

Yes, take a lesson or two with more than one, sure!  That is not unusual.  

I also only have the remainder of this semester and next semester left before I graduate, so I'm concerned about starting the Simply Music method and then being lost later when I learn from a different teacher.

Hopefully ideas would carryover into whatever you would be doing next.  I mean, I'm always working on a little somethin' somethin' when it comes to how I think about and teach different concepts, but unless a method is writing all of its own music, too, that has nothing to do with the standard repertoire, then it better relate in some way or they're not going to get very far!  Also, though, teachers can be very different one from another anyway, so in that sense, even if you start with something called "Simply Music" with one teacher and go on to a new one who doesn't use it, it doesn't mean that's going to be more of an adjustment for you with the new teacher just because of that alone (though they do claim it's revolutionary  ).  I mean, it would probably be some kind of an adjustment no matter what.

[philfribbit]

I have just finished Simply Music Level 7, and have found it the best learning program that I have ever done. It's really well done and gives you a great foundation for future things you might want to do in music.
Have fun!