After hearing my presentation about teaching improvisation, a colleague suggested I consider “less cheerleading and more content.” Her wise comment helped me realize as an advocate for musical creativity, that half of my job is to encourage (okay, prod) the uninitiated to “dive in” by closing the music books now and then. The other half is to offer practical teaching tips to those who have already taken the “off page” plunge.
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Posted in Piano
By
Bradley Sowash
Characteristic tone, articulation, intonation, precision,
andb alancea re fundamental qualities that are evident in all great
musical performances. As band directors, our goal is to develop
a teaching method that advances our students' understanding,
awareness, and performance skills in regards to these five fundamental
goals.
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Posted in Band
By
Jeff King
Go! You're off for the start of another
school year. Some have likened a school
year to a race - not a sprint, but a marathon.
While it's important to start well, it's more
important to finish well. Those in a race
receive their reward at the end of the race, not
at the beginning.
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Posted in Band
By
Bruce Pearson
The warm-up is often regarded as a critical part of the concert band rehearsal. It is a time for students to focus on the basics of breathing, sound production, intonation, and instrumental technique. If individual students have good control over these elements, the large ensemble will of course have more success. Warming up in the jazz ensemble, however, is not regarded quite as reverently in spite of the obvious benefits. This column will offer some suggestions for making this part of the jazz ensemble rehearsal efficient and productive.
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Posted in Jazz
By
Dean Sorenson
The trees are turning and the days are getting shorter, so it must be time to get back up on the podium for the start of another school year. For many, it seems as though it was just yesterday that we said goodbye to last year's graduating class. No doubt this school year will bring with it questions, dreams, and hopes. Keep in mind and put into practice these helpful tips regarding People and Perspective to make this school year THE BEST EVER!
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Posted in Band
By
Bruce Pearson
Jeanine Yeager is one of my favorite composers of piano teaching pieces. I first became acquainted with Jeanine’s music via her Fresh Impressions series, which I discovered when looking for “New Age” student repertoire. Jeanine was kind enough to take time away from composing and preparing her latest book for publication to discuss her music and thoughts about teaching music composition to adult piano students.
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Posted in Piano
By
Doug Hanvey
The new year—whether a new calendar year or the start of a new school year—is always a great opportunity to think about doing things differently. Doing things better! Students, families, administrators, colleagues. No one thinks twice about committing to new routines, new strategies, or new resources in a new year. This is our annual chance to start fresh!
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Posted in General
By
Wendy Barden
It is April 2020 and we are living with the Coronavirus-19 pandemic. Schools across the United States have been closed for about a month and we are teaching from home in the middle of a new experience called distance learning. Some days my colleagues and I feel like we’re drinking from a fire hose.
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Posted in General
By
Wendy Barden
It is April 2020 and we are living with the Coronavirus-19 pandemic. Schools across the United States have been closed for about a month and we are teaching from home in the middle of a new experience called distance learning. Some days my colleagues and I feel like we’re drinking from a fire hose.
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Posted in General
By
Wendy Barden
Many of you are beginning to teach online piano lessons as we all come together in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). If you are using Bastien New Traditions: All in One Piano Course, you already have everything you need.
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Posted in Piano
By
Mark Kjos
