Merriam-Webster defines fluent as capable of moving with ease and grace, effortlessly smooth and flowing, and having or showing mastery of a subject or skill. Musicians require fluency to perform with ease, and mastery of fundamentals builds fluency. Fluency leads to freedom. Consider this: ... Read More about From Fundamentals to Fluency: Flute Teaching for Non-Flutist Band Directors
Articles
To Perform or Not to Perform?
Channel your inner Shakespeare when planning your next band trip. As Shakespeare once wrote, “all the world’s a stage.” For performance groups, that idiom can become literal! For many band directors, the decision to perform while traveling is not an easy one; it can incur additional expenses ... Read More about To Perform or Not to Perform?
Beyond “Gamification”
Video games are a waste of time for men with nothing else to do. Real brains don’t do that. ~ Ray Bradbury Video games have been blamed for many things in our modern society, but I offer a radically different view: I think that video games are far from the problem… in fact, they may well ... Read More about Beyond “Gamification”
Musical Nourishment: Designing Your Daily Instructional Menu
Making the right instructional choices to develop your students can be overwhelming if you don't take the time to consider the musical nourishment needs for your students' level of development. There are so many instructional options to choose from, and you want to make sure that your choices are ... Read More about Musical Nourishment: Designing Your Daily Instructional Menu
THE TUNING TACKLE BOX: Reeling In Your Horn Section’s Intonation
We have chosen a fishing theme for this article not only because it is fun and unique but also because tuning, like fishing, requires patience, appropriate tools, and knowledge of the environment. A successful fisherman/fisherwoman has a well-stocked tackle box and is familiar with all the available ... Read More about THE TUNING TACKLE BOX: Reeling In Your Horn Section’s Intonation
Timpani Head Change
Changing the heads on your timpani can seem like a daunting and expensive task to complete on top of everything else on your to-do list. This article is designed to aid you in the process of renewing your timpani sound by changing out your heads. You will notice almost immediately the difference in ... Read More about Timpani Head Change
