Melodic Patterns in Familiar Contexts: A Teaching Approach

Melodic and rhythmic patterns taken out of context is not musical. The "trick" is to teach the pattern and to put it into familiar context. Show how a pattern is in a familiar song (such as the opening of Beethoven's Fifth). This will give an innate feel as to how and where the pattern is …

Improvisation Idea

My favourite notes to use when improvising are the group of three black notes on the piano- F#, G# & A#. Try slowly playing each one. Add the sustain pedal, either syncopated or on each note. Add a left hand drone on F#. Now, try to switch registers, either higher or lower. Can you switch …

Music Lessons for September 2025

https://suzannegilmore.wordpress.com/2023/09/07/your-childs-first-step-into-the-adventure-of-music/?page_id=1545

Improvisation

What value is there in improvising music? Can young children learn to improvise? Can anyone learn to improvise no matter how young or old they are? Many feel that they are unable to improvise - but the fact is that they haven’t tried. Start to improvise - that is the first step. Look at the …

Note Reading is decoding or patterns?

How many people reading music decode notes or read patterns? How many do a hybrid of the two? Traditionally taught sight readers are generally in one of two camps. Either you are good or you can’t read music well. It’s very tedious to decode every note and definitely hinders performance flow. These people either gave …

Creativity in Piano

My two favorite people who work with and make courses for Creativity for Piano Lessons are Forrest Kinney and Marilyn White Lowe. It’s very unfortunate that we have recently lost both of them, but they have left a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.  Marilyn was highly influenced by Edwin E Gordon’s research on how we …

Winter Music Making

What do you plan for our cool winter months? Will you take up an outdoor sport such as cross country? Have you got a few books lined up to read, or maybe a few series to binge watch? Perhaps you’d like to do something that you’ve thought about doing for a long time. Maybe something new for yourself or …

Music Gift for Christmas

Looking for the perfect gift for someone who loves music? Are you looking for something unique, something that they will truly appreciate and benefit from for years to come? Yes to music lessons ! It's a thoughtful and unique way to celebrate the holiday season and encourage their passion for music. Students as young as 4 and …

Your Child’s First Step Into the Adventure of Music!

It's that time of year to start a new season of music! Lessons for all ages in Piano, Voice and Intro Guitar begin September 11. I teach using an Audiation / Music Learning Theory methodology. Music is learned in the same way as you learn to speak your native language. It is creative and FUN! …

SUMMERTIME MUSIC

This is a great time for music students to kick back and relax. There's no need to stress over projects, just let the good times roll! Music students will benefit by so many extra things, other than performing on their instrument. *Listening to various styles of music is a great way to spend their time. …