The Music Educator Podcast

This podcast episode layouts some of the challenges that CoVid-19 presents to the Music Educator.

Musicians experience inherent instrument challenges. The flute is no exception. In “9 Common Problems for the Flute,” we will identify what barricades musicians from perfecting their musical craft. These common problems include tonguing, air, control, fingering and other mechanical facets of the flute.

Everyone seems to have their own reasons for loving music. Today in “18 Reasons Students Love Being in a School Instrumental Music Program,” we will identify some of those great reasons!

This podcast episode is an opportunity to highlight a teacher’s internal dialogue to improve their teaching.  That is to say; some teachers go into their classrooms cold, void from thoughtful planning, it is essential to carefully give thought to our teaching strategies so that students get value and enjoyment from our instruction.  Above all, reaching your students is a top priority in your value as an educator. Subsequently, it takes time to be able to answer and implement solutions. In short, the following are thought-provoking questions that help teachers question whether they are providing the best value to their students.

What does the saying “best practices” instruction and teaching mean for an educator? Is it what works well for you or the educational community? Maybe they are just textbook answers. I think most people agree that the phrase “best practices” is a series of steps taken by the teacher. This article will provide educators with a list of teaching strategies with the best practices focus.

How can the following 17 rehearsal techniques using a pencil help you become a better musician? First, think about how can you improve. Are you a seasoned musician that performs for a living? Or perhaps you are a beginning music student in your school? Regardless of where your musical career is, the power of the pencil markings has a magical effect on improving your playing ability.

One of the first routines of the day is the observation of our students entering the music rooms. Having a student procedure for entering the classroom can improve the tone of instruction for the remainder of the class. The standard to which you reinforce this simple procedure can have a rippling effect and define your program.

Origins Story, Season 2, Ep. 6, is about the journey of the author Bill Stevens. He unveils the life experiences that led him from loathing music to loving his life as a music educator.

Many band directors extend their employment beyond the classroom to the private studio. Often in a private studio, you are teaching all levels of musician. In this article, we will identify a recommended 30-minute first-time trumpet lesson for a beginner. Teaching components include creating student rapport, dealing with cases, identifying the parts of a trumpet, learning the trumpet embouchure, and developing quality trumpet tone.

Why do band directors say better bands with mouthpiece buzzing perform at higher levels? We will examine this habit-based wisdom. One expert, Mr. Michael Grose of the University of Oregon, presented on this subject at the 2017 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. In Mr. Grose's presentation, he explains the importance of mouthpiece buzzing in the music education environment. By the end of this podcast, we should have a better understanding of why this practice should be incorporated into every band director's warmup rehearsal time.

“6 Productivity Enhancing Activities for Teachers” is a reflection on the critical points in Elisa Janson Jones’ article “Want Maximum Productivity and Progress? Do this” from the SBO September 2019 magazine. Jones wants us to reflect on our morning rituals. Studies show us how important the beginning of our day is. We often start meeting the demands of others rather than starting the day with activities that help us invest in ourselves, such as meditation, reading, recall, and writing a journal...

This episode will explore the real life challenges for beginning saxophonists. What distractions keep us from being that next professional sax player? Find out here.

The number one most important musical element in performing is quality tone production. In this post, we will discuss issues and tips for brass instrument tone production. Each instrumental family produces sound in different ways. It is helpful to review what is necessary to create a fantastic tone, whether it is to create the perfect buzz, manipulate how to breathe, or change the mouthpiece pressure. A characteristic sound instantly sets apart the impact a brass musician has on his or her audience and the overall musical experience. Several factors contribute to creating a quality tone. It is conceivable that two players on the same type of instrument, with the same model of the mouthpiece, can create two very different tone qualities. Sound production differences include the size and shape of the oral cavity, the breath supply, how well it is supported, the openness of the throat, and the lip aperture.

The key to any successful music program is to have students. In turn, a successful recruitment campaign is vital to building an active beginning music program. A recruitment informational meeting is essential. For a music director to have a successful music producing school, he or she must use effective recruitment strategies and be a great salesperson as well as a musician. Attained goals are met as a result of quality recruitment preparation.

Music Sub Plans - Yikes! I need a music sub tomorrow. That is the scenario that many of us run into when unexpected events in life occur for us. In an ideal world, we would be in our classrooms rehearsing, on stage performing or creating lasting relationships with our students. Sometimes family circumstances pull us away from our students. Other times professional development, training, or, school activities pull us from our classrooms. Despite these reasons, they all require us to scramble to try to find a music substitute.