Success Music Studio

Geoff

Geoff (pronounce Jeff) Keith has taught instrumental music lessons for over 30 years, and special needs students for over 20 years, accruing over 6,000 hours working with special needs and LD students. In the 1990’s, he developed FBC Sudbury’s Kid’s Music Club program (children’s choir). His articles on teaching music to students with learning disabilities have appeared in the Dyslexic Reader. The information in the blog is similar to the information he presented at Berklee College of Music’s ABLE Assembly, which is a special needs arts conference for teachers. Also, he has been included in Marquis Who’s Who biographies.

What Are the Advantages of Dyslexia - Episodic Memory (Woman Remembering)

What are the advantages of dyslexia? Episodic Memory

Do you want to know what the advantages of dyslexia are? How can people with dyslexia seem to have terrible memories sometimes, but not others? “He could remember events perfectly, even those that happened when he was an infant” (The Gift of Dyslexia 96). Episodic memory has a central role in the thinking process of many dyslexics which helps explain this puzzling fact. Also, it’s one of the four benefits to dyslexia. Keep reading to learn what the advantages of dyslexia are and how episodic memory plays a part in that. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

What are the advantages of dyslexia? Episodic Memory Read More »

How Long Do You Take to Memorize a Piece of Piano Music - a Rose on Sheet Music - Singing Shape Notes Solfege Lydian Melodies - How to Play Your $@?% Clarinet in Tune

How Long Do You Take to Memorize a Piece of Piano Music?

“How long do you take to memorize a piece of piano music?” It’ll vary from person to person how long it’ll take. I’ve known musicians who can memorize a piece of music after just one listening. For most of my students, it takes a half-dozen to a dozen listenings to just start learning a piece, much less memorize it. This means that for most musicians, memorizing a piece of music will be a process. Keep reading to get tips to help you memorize your music better and more quickly. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

How Long Do You Take to Memorize a Piece of Piano Music? Read More »

How Do I Write Good Songs Using Metaphors and Similes - Woman Working on Computer - Does ADD and ADHD Make People More Creative

How Do I Write Good Songs Using Metaphors and Similes?

Do you want to write better songs using vivid imagery? Do you need to learn about figurative imagery? Figurative imagery expands your pallet of description beyond just literal imagery. Metaphors and similes are important literary tropes that help you to do just that. Read more to learn the answer to the question, “How do I write good songs using metaphors and similes?” Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

How Do I Write Good Songs Using Metaphors and Similes? Read More »

Once Sheet Music is All Digital, Why Not Always Colour-Code Notes - Computer Power Symbol

Once Sheet Music is All Digital, Why Not Always Colour-Code Notes?

“Once sheet music is all digital, why not always colour-code notes?” Since most sheet music can now come in digital format, will there be any good reason not to color code the notes all the time? I’ve long advocated using color coding for helping special needs students to learn music from sheet music. However, the opening suggestion (by a person on social media) goes one step further. It proposes making a permanent change to how people read sheet music. Click to find out the arguments for and against adopting universal color coded music notation. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

Once Sheet Music is All Digital, Why Not Always Colour-Code Notes? Read More »

How Do I Switch from Chromatic Shaped Notes to Standard Notation - Choral Music - Choir Meaning & Examples with Videos, Pictures, & Soundtracks - I'm Confused About These Stupid Vocal Ranges

How Do I Switch from Chromatic Shaped Notes to Standard Notation – Part 3

Do you want to learn how to transition from shape notes to standard notation? Have you ever wondered when you should use the special solfege syllables for sharp and flat notes? Standard notation gives you clues on when to use the diatonic solfege syllables versus the chromatic syllables. Read more to learn the answer to the question, “How do I switch from chromatic shaped notes to standard notation?” Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

How Do I Switch from Chromatic Shaped Notes to Standard Notation – Part 3 Read More »

Advanced Heterophony Concepts - Man Playing Oud

Advanced Heterophony Concepts – Part 1

Do you want to understand advanced heterophony concepts? How does timbre affect heterophony in the ma’luf ensembles? Many cultures organize their music by using heterophony which forms the music in essentially different ways than harmony-based music. Keep reading to understand the relationship between heterophony and timbre. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Advanced Heterophony Concepts – Part 1 Read More »

Sing Perfectly in Tune All the Time with Touchstone Instruments - Woman with Mic - How to Have Fun Singing Karaoke Songs

Sing Perfectly in Tune All the Time with Touchstone Instruments – Part 1

Want to be able to sing in tune every time you sing? Do you wonder what a touch instrument is? These instruments play a central role in establishing the tuning for a society. Keep reading to learn how to sing perfectly in tune all the time with touchstone instruments. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Sing Perfectly in Tune All the Time with Touchstone Instruments – Part 1 Read More »

Positives to Dyslexia - Everything is Connected to Everything Else - Skills Web

Positives to Dyslexia – Everything is Connected to Everything Else (Part 2)

Do you want to know some of the positives to having dyslexia? Does all information seem connected to you? Global thinking is the capacity to see cohesive relationships between different domains of knowledge. It’s also one of the four strengths resulting from dyslexic brain structure. Keep reading to learn the details of how everything being connected to everything else can be a positive aspect of having dyslexia. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Positives to Dyslexia – Everything is Connected to Everything Else (Part 2) Read More »

How to Overcome the Fear of Performing in Front of an Audience - Concert Pianist - Tips for Playing a Different Dynamic in Each Hand on Piano - What Are Some Elegant Examples of Polyphony?

Tips for Playing a Different Dynamic in Each Hand on Piano

Does playing a different dynamic in each hand on piano seem like it’d be impossible to do? Would you like help figuring out how it works? A lot of people have trouble playing a different dynamic in each hand. However, the trick is to treat as them connected – not as separate dynamics. Read more to learn the tips for playing a different dynamic in each hand on piano. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Tips for Playing a Different Dynamic in Each Hand on Piano Read More »