Gerald Klickstein, author of The Musician’s Way, posted this excellent and practical list of six ways to enjoy detailed practice: Bring meaning to every gesture. Isolate problem spots in context. Take pleasure in excellence. Listen deeply. Seek variety. Shift perspectives. Visit the original post for the expanded version with specific ideas on how to implement […]
New Finds for Graphics and Design
There are some real treasures on the internet for cool graphics and design elements. Some of them I just came across recently and wish I knew about years ago! istockphoto.com – This is one I became familiar with when I was working with my designer for the cover of my book. The quality of the […]
Monday Mailbag – Age Appropriate Practice Incentives
I love your incentive ideas! Just wondering if you use them with your entire studio, or only up to a certain age. I have always felt uncertain about students perhaps outgrowing incentives, and have generally phased them out by high school. Yes, I use my practice incentive themes with the whole studio. It’s definitely a […]
Checking Your Pulse
One of the areas that I am constantly aware of need for improvement in my studio is playing with a sense of pulse. We’ve spent an entire month highlighting just this aspect of playing, but I realize that it needs to be a part of every lesson. Instrumental students definitely have an advantage in learning […]
Music Memory Online Game
When I was putting together some links for on-line listening games for my students this year, I came across this fun Music Memory game! It’s a different way of approaching melodic dictation, but I think it’s fun (and addicting!). There’s also a great Pattern Memory game that seems good for building visual pattern recognition.
Rethinking Competitions
I’ve never been a competition teacher. Whether it’s because I never participated in competitions growing up or because of some of the negative aspects I’ve observed in those who compete, I just haven’t seen them as having much value. But thanks, in part, to a workshop I attended this past summer at our state conference, […]
