Times have changed. It used to be that teachers taught everyone the same way, without considering that children don't all learn the same way. Then we realized there are different types of learners, and we began meeting the needs of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Howard Gardner taught us about multiple intelligences, and a greater … Continue reading The Better Way
Instrumental Music
Why I Became A Music Teacher and Why It Matters
It is good to recall from time to time why we became music teachers. In my case, it was the desire to find something to do for a living that would include music making, and that would bring the immense enjoyment I had for making music to others; a kind of give back opportunity. I … Continue reading Why I Became A Music Teacher and Why It Matters
Starting a New School Year in Band
If you're a band director, then you know those first couple of rehearsals in the fall can sound, well, not pretty, especially if you have not had band camp or some sort of summer band program. Students have often not practiced much over the summer, and for those who take private lessons, they have been … Continue reading Starting a New School Year in Band
My Approach To Composing
One of the things I enjoy about summer break is the opportunity to do musical things I don't have time for during the school year. Since my high school days I have enjoyed composing. I was encouraged in this by a high school band director who allowed me to try out my band composition on … Continue reading My Approach To Composing
Artful Learning
In this, the centennial anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's birth, all sorts of things that this American musical icon did are being brought out into the public consciousness. Of course, most know of Bernstein's work as a conductor, composer and teacher, what with his numerous recordings, lectures, young peoples concerts and musical compositions. Of all that … Continue reading Artful Learning
Tips for Better Conducting
Today I want to discuss conducting. Because conducting is all about visual communication, it seems to me you will be better served with a video than with a written post. So here I am. I hope you enjoy this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHGSX0sI4yg
What Does Music Mean?
One of the more perplexing questions of the ages concerning music is the question, what does music mean? Philosophers from Aristotle to Bernstein have tried to answer this question, but none have done so in a way that once and for all settles the matter. Bernstein devoted much of his lecturing life to tackling the … Continue reading What Does Music Mean?
Using Student Feedback to Plan Music Instruction
When it comes to teaching, I'm a pretty old school kind of guy. Many teachers, and I count myself among them, tend to teach the way we were taught, especially if we were generally successful in school. For me and I would guess most others of my generation, we accepted what the teacher told us … Continue reading Using Student Feedback to Plan Music Instruction
What Is Creativity and How Do Music Educators Develop It?
When asked to advocate for music education, one of the frequently given pieces of evidence is that music education develops creativity or creative thinking. While this sounds reasonable, at times it can be difficult to find much creative activity in the things that students are asked to do in both general music and music performance … Continue reading What Is Creativity and How Do Music Educators Develop It?
What Do We Want Children To Be Able To Do In Order To Sing Well?
Good teaching is largely about stating clear objectives, and then instructing students in how to achieve those objectives. When it comes to singing, often times music educators frame the task in terms of singing on pitch, using a head voice, and maintaining a steady beat. Clearly these items are important to good singing, but as … Continue reading What Do We Want Children To Be Able To Do In Order To Sing Well?
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