"With 'Theory Therapy' the student learns theory through a series of fun exercises that teach without pushing," he said. "'Innovated Improvisation' comes from trying new things. And the last is allowing the students to create their own music.

"Nothing is more motivating than someone telling you that you sound good, especially if it's after you played something you composed yourself."

According to Simon, a music teacher will often give out a sticker or a prize to a student who passed off a song. "But those things don't last. What I want to get in touch with is the intrinsic satisfaction that keeps the student playing longer."

Some of the music books come with CDs of Simon playing parts of the song and then putting the parts together.

"That way they can walk through a piece and eventually work it out," he said.

The books can be found at the Piano Gallery in Riverdale, Riverton Music, Daynes Music, among others, and can be purchased at www.musicmotivation.com

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com