Promoting Musical Independence in Ensemble Teaching Secondary school music is dominated by the structure of the performing ensemble. This model has many positive attributes including the ability to engage a lot of students at once, to offer a very valued sociocultural environment, and to offer ... Read More about Promoting Musical Independence in Ensemble Teaching (TMEA Preview)
Articles
4 Clarinet Hacks – Better Clarinets in 30 Seconds
Here are 4 clarinet hacks that can greatly increase your student's comfort and chance of success. #1 Mouthpiece Patches I LOVE mouthpiece patches! I don’t really care that they protect the mouthpiece (though this can be a nice bonus). I love them because it dulls the sense of vibration on ... Read More about 4 Clarinet Hacks – Better Clarinets in 30 Seconds
It All Comes Down to Communication
Rehearsal time is very precious, and we directors want to make maximum use of that time in terms of efficiency and productivity. The more our students play, the faster they improve. But there are times during a rehearsal where the director has to address the ensemble in order to give corrective ... Read More about It All Comes Down to Communication
Teaching Band with Games – Drop Out Contests
A "Band Drop Out Contest" is a chance to have a spur of the moment contest that takes about 1 minute once the kids learn how to play it. Examples of when to use this game: Students are playing something they know very well and it's getting boring/repetitive (scales, the same measure over ... Read More about Teaching Band with Games – Drop Out Contests
So, I Teach Band at a Low SES School…Now What?
Build a Relationship The most important thing you can focus on when you teach band at a low SES (low socioeconomic status) school, is developing a relationship with your students. I know, as teachers, we hear the “develop a rapport” speech too often. I, too, have rolled my eyes when the principal ... Read More about So, I Teach Band at a Low SES School…Now What?
Motivate Your Band – The Little Red Hen
Are you looking for a way to motivate your band and get every student to contribute equally to a goal? Read this classic folktale to your band (or summarize it for them) and then share the application at the end: Once upon a time there was a little red hen. She lived on a farm with her three ... Read More about Motivate Your Band – The Little Red Hen
