As a band director whose primary instrument is trumpet, there were a lot of things that I took for granted when I started teaching low brass as a young teacher.
Power Up! Euphonium and Tuba Tone
How a Growth Mindset Can Transform Your Practice
Ashlee is a verified Fons by MakeMusic provider. Fons is a studio management platform that offers a full suite of business tools for private music teachers.
3 Steps to Mastering Memorization
Ashlee is a verified Fons by MakeMusic provider. Fons is a studio management platform that offers a full suite of business tools for private music teachers.
Power Up! Teaching and Correcting Flute Tone
Approaching flute tone early on, even on just the headjoint, will not only create more vibrant, clear sounds from your section but helps with projection and tuning.
10 Easy Ear-Training Exercises for Choir
As a former high school choir director, I recognize both the challenges and rewards of teaching aural skills within the context of large group rehearsals.
3 Steps to Overcome the Awkward Middle Stage of Learning a Piece
Ashlee is a verified Fons by MakeMusic provider. Fons is a studio management platform that offers a full suite of business tools for private music teachers.
How Did You Practice This?
Every day, all day, I hear myself asking the same question over and over again: “How did you practice this?” I ask this question to students of all ages and levels.
Crafting a Better Brass Section: 3 Ways to Encourage Better Sound Quality from your Brass Players
A unified brass section is a glorious thing! But a brass section that’s out of balance, tune, or tone can be more reminiscent of a college football game than the glorious concert band sound you’re striving for—develop your brass section’s sound by testing out these three tips!
Taking Rhythm Clapping to the Next Level
I have had the privilege of speaking to many band and orchestra directors over the years. For 36 years of teaching band in Virginia’s public schools and 13 more serving as a University Supervisor for James Madison University, I have always asked almost every director I meet, “What is your ensemble’s weakest link?”.
From OK to Excellent: Overcoming Learning Plateaus
Ask yourself this: have you gotten any better at typing on a computer keyboard in the last couple of years?