Have you ever sat down to play your favorite song, made a little mistake in the middle, and then started all over again from the very beginning? Most people do this! It is like trying to climb a big mountain but sliding back to the bottom every time you trip on a small rock.

We have all been there. You sit down at the piano, open your book to the first page, and play from the top. When you hit a mistake in bar 12, you pause, frown, go back to the beginning, and try again. This "play-through-itis" is the most common hurdle for adult learners. It feels like practicing, but it is actually just repeating mistakes. In the Triquetrae Music Education Programme (TMEP), we move away from this "grind" by using the STAVE framework.

In the professional world, the SMART acronym (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) is the gold standard for productivity. However, music is not just a project to be completed; it is a physical and emotional discipline. While SMART tells us what to aim for, STAVE provides the musical "how."

February open mic was the first of 2026. These open mics tend to be well attended, fun interactive sessions for 2 hours. The night included learning some traditional dancing from a grandmother. Comparing the same song sung in different styles and the effect that had on the audience. We were taught to beatbox by a student.

The Shaker tune "Simple Gifts" is more than just a melody; it is a profound representation of functional beauty, encapsulating the core values and philosophies of the Shaker community. Composed by Elder Joseph Brackett in the year 1848, this iconic song reflects the Shaker belief in "simplicity as a state of mind," which permeates not only their music but also their way of life, craftsmanship, and spiritual practices.

The Shaker tune "Simple Gifts" is more than just a melody; it is a masterclass in functional beauty. Composed by Joseph Brackett in 1848, the song’s structure reflects the Shaker philosophy of "simplicity as a state of mind." In this post, we provide a curated selection of audio and video interpretations to help you explore how this theme evolves across different musical landscapes.