For face to face exams, scales will be asked in a random order. Once scales are confident, it is a good idea to practise them in random orders to minimise relying on muscle memory of a specific order. For a few years now, I’ve used the “Wheel of Names” website…
I have started encouraging students who are working towards AMEB exams in grades 3 and above and are in specialist music programs at school to consider enrolling to complete the AMEB Award over the next 12 months. For students in Years 11 and 12, the AMEB Award is an endorsed…
With some of my students having “graduated” after completing their high level exams, I have some rare Saturday morning slots available for students able to commit to weekly lessons year round. I also have some 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm lessons available for primary school students nearby in Canning Vale…
Over 20 years I started arranging Christmas songs for the organ, which included transposing them to a singable key (quite important when carols are designed to be sung!). I got through over 30 of them, handwriting the arrangements, before I shelved them due to a lack of time. More recently…
I’ve used MuseScore for years to notate music scores, but I’ve recently discovered that with the paid version of flat.io I can colour the note heads to create lovely colourful scores for young beginners. I sometimes ask students to colour the notes, a practise in identifying them as well as…
I’ve finally had the time to put together a handbook for new families! While my website is comprehensive, I’ve expanded what used to be a folder of handouts into a handy 10 page desktop published booklet with key info and step-by-step guides to getting started with some key apps.
I’ve launched a new Music With Simone YouTube Channel, with the first videos “piano tutorial” style where coloured lights hit the keys so you can see which notes are being played and how long for. You can watch the first video below:
Occasionally over the years I’ve been contacted to ask if I can provide a gift certificate for adults a number of piano lessons. I’ve been able to fulfil those requests, without offering standard packages. In the lead up to Christmas this year, I’ve finally standardised some gift certificate lesson packages…
My latest piano arrangement was requested by one of my students, Holly. It is the Theme of the U.S. series of “The Office”, arranged to early intermediate level. Listen to it here: You can find the score of The Office Theme – Intermediate Piano on Sheet Music Press.
Here are the current restrictions in relation to face-to-face private music studio teaching for the week ahead, which I clarified with the COVID hotline today: Teachers can remove their mask while teaching if needed Primary school age students are exempt from wearing a mask Older students should wear a mask…