JUST PLAY PIANO STUDIO

The studio is located at 5c Blake Street North Perth - just off Walcott Street.

I opened the studio in January 2006 after many years teaching at home. The name came about because I found that most times I asked why someone wanted to have piano lessons, they replied "I just want to play piano." No one ever answered "I want to learn how to read music and do theory."

The unique way this method is taught easily lends itself to a group environment. The results I have found over the years are on par with students in private lessons, which can be very intense with the focus all on you. There is so much more to learn in this shared lesson environment by observing, listening, interacting and encouraging each other. Students also get very used to playing in front of others, with many friendships being formed outside lessons. My approach to teaching comes from a background of 3 years working on camps developing young people's self esteem, as well as more than 10 years with the Education Department. I like to create a relaxed friendly environment where all students can enjoy having fun learning, creating and playing music together. I focus on the positive side of their learning, coaching and encouraging them with their lessons and practice.

GEORGIA HAMILTON

Musical Background

From as early as I can remember I have loved the piano. In my local Sunday school there were a number of pianos in the halls and I would find myself gravitating to them and watching people play.

I learnt to play many things by people just showing me what to do. I started having formal lessons when I was 9 years old and have played for most of my life. I played the organ in the church during my early teens and have also played and jammed with many others over the years as well as playing in concerts and eisteddfods.

I was very fortunate to have had two wonderful piano teachers in my early years. My first teacher got me started and my second teacher introduced me to Beethoven and the world of classical music, oh and exams!

The biggest frustration for me throughout my years of playing was my reliance on reading music. Whenever anyone asked me to play the piano the only tunes I could play without music, were the ones I learnt in Sunday school! Simply Music taught me to play other styles of music including Blues, Jazz and Accompaniments as well as how to improvise and create my own arrangements.

Music Teaching Background

Over the years I had taught piano to both children and adults with only limited success. I was teaching theory and using written music as a means of playing and found it to be quite slow and boring for the students. I looked through the new music course books, hoping to come across a simpler method, but could find nothing. I hoped that over the years someone would have developed a more modern approach.

I first heard of Simply Music in 1998 through a friend whose son I was teaching. I watched a video about the method and was so excited I knew that this was the way I wanted to teach. I was lucky to get a place at the next training with the founder Neil Moore, and soon after became an accredited Simply Music teacher. Then in 2000 I became a Senior Associate Teacher.

Over the years my studio has grown from part time to a full time business.

CONCERT

There are no exams to study for but I do hold a concert once a year.

This allows the students to showcase their favourite pieces and to invite grandparents, families, and friends along. They also get a chance to meet and hear other students playing pieces in the higher levels, which inspires and encourages them with their own playing.

Since teaching shared lessons I have found that many more students are happy to play at the concert because they are used to playing in front of others. Each student is encouraged to play two pieces. Some play piano duets or accompany a parent, sibling or friend, either singing or playing another instrument. All are welcome to attend and share light refreshments afterwards.

SIMPLY MUSIC®

Simply Music is a remarkable Australian developed piano and keyboard program that has beginning students playing great sounding pieces from their very first lessons.

The method employs a unique 'playing-based' approach that can be easily understood by children, teens, adults and seniors alike.

The hands on nature of the program, the quality of music that the students play, and the ease with which they learn, allow for a new era of results in music education.

The Simply Music® program temporarily delays the music reading process, and begins by teaching unique concepts that unfold directly onto the keyboard. Beginning students, with no attention on having to read music, are free to relate directly to the piano. Within months, they establish a 'hands-on' and personal 'feeling' for the instrument as they build their play list. Simply Music® students from their very beginnings, also develop the ability to play complex chords, modern accompaniments as well as improvisation and composition skills.

Click here for curriculum overview

When comparing Simply Music to other programs, it is important to understand that our stated goals are distinctly different from traditional methods. The fundamental goal of Simply Music is to maximize the likelihood of students acquiring and retaining music as a lifelong companion. In side this Fundamental Goal are four, very specific criteria that the Simply Music program and methodology are centred around.

The aim is for students to:

• Have the ability to play a huge repertoire covering classical, contemporary, blues, jazz and accompaniment pieces
• Experience playing as a natural self expression
• Have a highly positive, self affirming experience with music learning
• Develop the ability to self generate. i.e. the ability to progress independently. This includes developing a foundation of music reading, writing, composition, improvisation, arrangement, structure and theory etc.