For a long time, I underestimated the effect color could have on my students and their ability to read and perform music accurately and with musical understanding. Once I did begin to use color, I was amazed at the difference. Now, my students regularly purchase colored pencils or erasable colored ... Read More about Color in the Bandroom
Articles
Rhythm Envelope Game – Teaching Beginning Band with Games
The rhythm envelope game is a great way to review rhythms in a totally different way. We usually focus on having students read rhythms off the page by performing them for us. This game is a way to flip that around. To be successful in this game students must develop rhythmic recognition - aural and ... Read More about Rhythm Envelope Game – Teaching Beginning Band with Games
Should You Be Practicing Right Now? (Free Image)
Click on the picture below to enlarge this "Should you be practicing right now?" image. If you would like a FREE downloadable pdf of this document that you can print and post in your room, Click here. You'll get a few other fun and motivational images for your band hall as ... Read More about Should You Be Practicing Right Now? (Free Image)
How Using Lanyards Can Help You Listen to Every Student in Beginning Band
Teaching beginner instrument classes is simultaneously rewarding and overwhelming. We all know that we should be hearing our students play individually as frequently as possible. Depending on the number of students in class, this could take most of your time. If you're like me, you like to change ... Read More about How Using Lanyards Can Help You Listen to Every Student in Beginning Band
Developing a Jazz Program: Strategies and Solutions
My experience as a high school band director and clinician has shown me that teachers often avoid topics such as jazz style, improvisation, song selection, and even jazz ensemble setup for fear of being perceived as unfamiliar with common practices. I often get asked about a good way to ... Read More about Developing a Jazz Program: Strategies and Solutions
It’s a Tuba Thing
Dr. Roeder's full handout is now available for free here... Its a Tuba Thing Effectively teaching tuba players and general tuba pedagogy at times can be a very daunting idea for many band directors. Playing tuba is often extremely different than the other instruments in the brass family. ... Read More about It’s a Tuba Thing