This is the 2nd part of a post about brass tension - read part 1 here. Diagnosing the Real Cause First, you must figure out where the tension is truly coming from. When working with students, I have found there are three main sources of most tense sounds: Face/Head Body Air Since ... Read More about Diagnosing Brass Tension and Helping Students Achieve a Better Sound.
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Avoiding the Most Common Pitfall – TENSION!
The most common problem that teachers come across when working with brass players is tension. Tension is, unfortunately, very natural for a young musician. However, to make a beautiful sound on a brass instrument there has to be a complete lack of tension. For this reason, I repeat a phrase to my ... Read More about Avoiding the Most Common Pitfall – TENSION!
So I Teach at a Low SES School…Language and Delivery.
After working with students in low socioeconomic schools for 16 years, I have found that the label “low-SES” is very misleading. This really doesn’t tell us anything about the students. Here are the more helpful questions: What is their family background? What are living arrangements ... Read More about So I Teach at a Low SES School…Language and Delivery.
Color in the Bandroom
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
Motivate Your Band – The Band Puzzle
Share this story of the "Band Puzzle" with your students to help them understand how their individual piece fits into the big picture... Have you ever put together a 1,000 piece puzzle with a group of people? My family loves puzzles. When we first start we dump out all the pieces and flip them ... Read More about Motivate Your Band – The Band Puzzle
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?
TBA Archives – Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire
The TBA Archives refer to the Texas Bandmasters Association archives of clinic handouts from past conventions. Conventions are one of the best ways to learn new things, spark new ideas, ask questions and be inspired. The only problem is all of that new knowledge is thrown at us in about a 48 hour ... Read More about TBA Archives – Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire
