I'm guessing many of you use a rhythm pyramid. Great! It's a nice visual that can help students see how notes relate to each other. Example of a rhythm pyramid: But just drawing the rhythm pyramid on the board may not help students relate it to actually playing different rhythms or how the ... Read More about From Rhythm Pyramid to Rhythmic Reading
Search Results for: teaching strategies
Books for Band Directors
Music Education: The Artistry of Teaching and Making Music by Richard Floyd On Teaching Band by Eddie Green & Mary Ellen Cavitt The Band Director's Companion by Harry Haines & Gary Garner Teaching Music with Passion: Conducting, Rehearsing and Inspiring by Peter Boonshaft Pathways: A ... Read More about Books for Band Directors
Band Director Tricks of the Trade
Several years ago, the middle school band directors in our state decided to get together and share teaching tips and strategies with each other in order to improve all of our programs. After the success of the first meeting, we decided to continue this on a regular basis and we now do this 2-3 times ... Read More about Band Director Tricks of the Trade
Creating Positive, Peer-Led Section Rehearsal Attendance Accountability in a low-SES school
If you have read my previous article on strategies to increase student attendance for before and after school events, then you know we have a process of working to get the majority of students on the section rehearsal train. However, we found that we still had a few students who didn’t attend and ... Read More about Creating Positive, Peer-Led Section Rehearsal Attendance Accountability in a low-SES school
Beginner Band Substitute Lesson Plan (for a Non-Music Sub)
This NEW lesson plan is written with beginner band students in mind and uses short, 2-5 minute videos from Khan Academy, TedEd etc. with a simple follow-along worksheet for students. (If you need one for older students, try THIS ONE. If you need one for general music, try THIS ONE.) If you have a ... Read More about Beginner Band Substitute Lesson Plan (for a Non-Music Sub)
Holiday Practice Band Scavenger Hunt
It is the most anticipated and dreaded time of year for anyone teaching beginning band: Winter break. The kids are on a roll and really developing into players, when suddenly, the holidays have arrived. They are left to their own devices to not practice and/or ignore the things they’ve been told ... Read More about Holiday Practice Band Scavenger Hunt
“Out of the Box” Rhythm Exercises
It’s not uncommon for band directors to focus on counting with their students during their beginner year, then struggle to keep the momentum going in the following years. It can also be easy to fall into the trap of counting the same rhythm page over and over and simply “going through the ... Read More about “Out of the Box” Rhythm Exercises
