During my 34 years of teaching beginning saxophone, I always tried to teach our students the importance of playing with great tone from day one.
Power Up! Smart Solutions for Solo Contest
Alicia DeSoto & Chris Meredith are currently band directors at Lewisville High School in Lewisville ISD, TX.
We have been using MakeMusic Cloud (formerly SmartMusic) for a number of years now and one of our favorite applications is the impact of providing students with accompaniment tracks for their solos that can be adjusted for the performance speed of each individual performer.
Power Up! The Foundations of Music Literacy, Part 2
Alicia DeSoto & Chris Meredith are currently band directors at Lewisville High School in Lewisville ISD, TX.
Literacy: the ability to read and write
Music Literacy: the ability to read, write, and play music
Click here to read part 1.
Power Up! The Foundations of Music Literacy, Part 1
Alicia DeSoto & Chris Meredith are currently band directors at Lewisville High School in Lewisville ISD, TX.
Literacy: the ability to read and write
Music Literacy: the ability to read, write, and play music
What can we do as music educators to develop music literacy in our classrooms, with the same level of detail and care that elementary school teachers pour into their young readers and writers?
Power Up! Step by Step: Building the Foundations for Successful Music Learning
It is a musician’s job to synthesize rhythms, note names, pitches, articulations, expressions, sound, and more…all at once. Dr. Anita Collins, who is an educator, researcher, and writer in the field of brain development and music learning, says that “playing music is the brain’s equivalent of a full body workout.” Applying all of those skills when you are learning a new piece of music can feel particularly daunting.
Power Up! Visual Rhythms
Musicians are multitaskers. Our brains, fingers, and bodies do so many things all at once to perform with our instruments.
Power Up! Integrating Scale Studies into Rehearsals and Student Practice Routines
As we begin another school year and welcome our students back, we all know that many of them will not have practiced as consistently as they did during the school year.
Power Up! The LAWS of Tone and Dynamics
Musicians are multitaskers. Our brains, fingers, and bodies do so many things all at once to perform our instruments. When approaching practice, I encourage students to break things down into small OMGs–Obtainable Musical Goals–rather than attacking everything at once.
Power Up! Keys to Successful Articulation
My favorite thing in the world to teach is fundamentals. The development and continued refinement of fundamental skills are key to the overall success of our students and ensembles.
Power Up! Fingerboard Geography for the Intermediate and Advanced String Musician
Musicians are multitaskers. Our brains, fingers, and bodies do so many things all at once to perform with our instruments.