I Found It On The Internet...

I still remember growing up and relishing the World Book Encyclopedia.  

Each volume from A-Z was stacked in a neat row on the shelves in my father's home office, that doubled as our family library.  It was such fun pulling out a book and flipping through the pages.  You never knew what you'd discover. I could easily spend an hour or two, just reading and marveling at the photos from faraway places.

Fast forward about 20 years or so... I was working at a commercial music house in Chicago.  It was a job that I had found on my own, an ideal match for my interests in music and writing.   I learned how to write commercial lyrics, ads, and trade show scripts, while also having the chance to do sales. I enjoyed both roles.  It was fun meeting people by calling on agencies, production houses and companies who could use music in their work.  I made appointments by phone... there was no internet or cell phones at the time.  And I typed thank you notes too.  A different world...  

I still remember the awe I felt during a visit to a new client, Encyclopaedia Britannica.  A man was showing me the latest enhancement on something called a computer.  (Yes, I was born when typewriters were used!)  I got to witness sound bytes, with video images of famous people from the past.  I heard and saw JFK speaking, as well as Martin Luther King expressing his vision in "I have a dream."  It was magical!  What a leap from my days reading the encyclopedia.   I couldn't even imagine the internet, and how we'd learn to communicate across the world...

Fast forward again... we won't count the years... and I was searching the internet for ideas on how to use my musical skills besides the occasional performing at senior centers.  Suddenly, from out of the midst, two words popped up on the search engine -- "Simply Music."  

Intrigued, I clicked in the website -- www.simplymusic.com, and discovered a philosophy of teaching piano that made sense.  A revolutionary approach of teaching people to play piano immediately through imitating patterns -- just like a spoken language.  The reading process is intentionally delayed for about a year, until the student is comfortable in playing all styles of piano, as well as arranging, accompanying, improvising and composing.

It was quite a thrilling idea.  But like anything, I knew it would take time to learn this new approach from the teaching angle.  Not only is Simply Music a new way of learning piano, but also a new way of teaching.  So I sat on the idea for about a year... mulling it over... and mulling some more.

During that time, I happened to attend a funeral.  It was a most unsettling, sudden passing and it shook me.  After that, along with other situations where trauma reared it head, I became more attuned to the fact that each day is a gift.  We need to focus on that gift... that present... by paying attention to our interests while we're still on this earth.  If we keep putting things off till tomorrow, then we might not have another tomorrow.

So, although I've been busy with raising awareness for nonprofit organizations by creating online stories in writing, videos and audio programs (which I also love to do), I decided to take some time to get trained in Simply Music.  

As it turned out, I'm the third licensed Simply Music teacher in Illinois.  One colleague is in downtown Chicago, and the other is on the far south side -- near Flossmoor.  I've learned that in this musical journey, there are peaks, valleys and plateaus.  But like any relationship, if you feel it's worthwhile, you keep moving forward.  And you develop a stronger bond.

It has been an exciting process, and I'm very proud of the Simply Music students I've been teaching -- from ages 6 - about 85.   Everyone loves the process of being able to play immediately.  The custom materials with the DVD and CD offer great reinforcement of every lesson.  And, I love being able to give one a precious gift to my students -- a chance for them to be able to express themselves musically at the piano.  As Simply Music demonstrates, EVERYONE is profoundly musical.  

If you're open to a new way of learning, and would be interested in playing piano in all styles quickly and easily, I invite you to attend a free Simply Music Intro session.  It's an interactive, one-hour overview, with a mini-lesson included during our time together.   No obligation.  Just a chance to have fun in playing piano.  

My next two free sessions are August 15th and 19th, 5:30-6:30 pm at the Winnetka Community House.  Feel free to bring a friend or family member.
The only requirement is that you have to be at least six years old, be able to hear, and have the ability to move your fingers.  That's about it.  

And to think that I found this Australian-developed technique in the comfort of my home... on the internet.  It still seems amazing to me.

Simply Music is simply fun...  :-)  Check it out and see for yourself!  

As I've discovered, no matter what you choose to do, it's important to follow your heart.  That's the best way to live your life with joy.