Today, I complete my series on percussion methods by talking about the concert bass drum. The drum is mounted vertically, with the two heads to the players left and right. The player's right foot is placed on the inside of the rim just right of center, and the knee is turned into the drum head. … Continue reading A Conductor’s Guide to Percussion: Bass Drum Methods
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How Do Language and Music Mix in the Music Classroom?
As we saw yesterday with rhythm, language and music are closely related so that training in one strengthens proficiency in the other. Although language and music differ in form, purpose, and use, both are highly syntax-dependent. Neither music nor language makes sense if the sounds heard cannot be cognitively organized, and if meaning cannot be … Continue reading How Do Language and Music Mix in the Music Classroom?
How Do Math and Music Mix in a Music Classroom?
Most people I know, both teachers and non-teachers, musicians and non-musicians, believe that students use a lot of math concepts when making music. In the current environment created by core curriculum state standards, this belief can easily lead to the desire for music teachers to explicitly teach, or at the very least reinforce math concepts … Continue reading How Do Math and Music Mix in a Music Classroom?
Is There A Better Way?
Why do you do anything the way you do? If your answer to this question is “because I’ve always done it that way,” or “because it works,” then you may be missing out on much greater success. Being a New Englander all my life, I have been very happy with the mantra, “If ain’t broke, … Continue reading Is There A Better Way?
What Is A Dramaturg and What Does It Have To Do with Music?
I recently became acquainted with the word, “dramaturgy.” The context in which I found the word was an article discussing the teaching of dramatization to music voice students on a path to learning opera singing. The writer argued that by comprehensively studying a whole opera, including musical, historical, compositional, and biographical aspects, and not just … Continue reading What Is A Dramaturg and What Does It Have To Do with Music?
Why Music is More Than Fun
Amidst the process of teaching and practicing musical works and concepts, it is worthwhile from time to time to remember why music is important to our lives. We who are music teachers enjoy teaching music, and our students have fun in our classes and ensembles, but it is important that music classes and rehearsals be more … Continue reading Why Music is More Than Fun
Educating the Whole Person–Movements and Emotion with Music
This is the second in a three part series on educating the whole person and music education. Yesterday, I gave an overview of parts of the whole person, and in general how music engages several of those parts. Today I will discuss in detail the relationship between music and the physical and psychological pathways identified … Continue reading Educating the Whole Person–Movements and Emotion with Music
Music, Emotions, and Student Listeners
Every now and then I'm reminded that there are some hints I take for granted that are perplexing to some students. The learning activity for fifth grade classes was to listen to the first ten minutes of Maher's fifth symphony and make a list of each emotion they heard expressed moment to moment. The activity … Continue reading Music, Emotions, and Student Listeners
What is American Musical Culture
I recently found myself engaged in a conversation with another musician about American musical culture. We started out talking about classical music, but soon observed that classical music was no longer at the center of American musical culture. I say at the center because early in the twentieth century when large numbers immigrated to America … Continue reading What is American Musical Culture
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