Practice Tips

You can never have enough tips to help motivate students to practice more.  Here is an article with 20 tips that can be used in your classroom.  A good idea would be to print these off and post them on your wall so your students see them every day.

http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/20-practice-tips/

Joystick Euponium

With our discussions this week focusing on this point, I decided to look more into different technologies that could be used in a music class.  Here is an article that looks at some different technologies that could be utilized in a school, included a joystick euphonium.

http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-class-school-participation#comment-85160

Musicians...before they were famous

This is an interesting site I found giving different musicians and what their lives were like "before the were famous"  This could be used in a music history or music appreciation class.

http://musiced.about.com/b/2011/04/18/before-they-were-famous.htm

YouTube in the Classroom

This site seemed extra appropriate this week as this is one of the things we have been exploring.  This site offers ideas on how to use YouTube in your class and how to incorporate other means of technology such as the "flip-cam"  Enjoy!

http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/make-youtube-yourtube/

Legal Music Downloads

One of the best parts about the internet in our classroom is the ability to find music for our students to listen to and analyze.  With the restrictions on downloading, this article shows you different websites that offer free music downloads that can be used in your classroom.

http://musiced.about.com/b/2011/04/11/download-music-legally-2.htm

Musescore and Noteflight

Here is an article talking about the importance of student's learning music by notating it.  The author is just starting to explore both Musescore and Noteflight.  I thought it was interesting because we are also exploring these two notation software.

http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/which-one-is-write/

Jazz Musical Instruments

I love doing units on jazz music with my groups, especially my 5th graders.  I'm always looking for different ideas  to use for teaching these units.  This article talks about the most commonly used instruments in jazz music and goes into detail about each instrument.  A quick and easy reference for any teacher.

http://musiced.about.com/b/2011/04/03/jazz-musical-instruments-3.htm

Talking to audiences during performances.

I can't begin to tell you how important I think it is to inform an audience about the type of music you and your group are performing, especially classical music.  Many people today know so little about Classical music and all of the interesting stories that can accompany a piece.  This article talks about why it is important to talk to your audience.  I like to make my students talk to the audience so they work on their public speaking as well.  Just an added idea for you.

http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/why-talking-to-audiences-is-essential-when-playing-classical-music/

Music Studies Create a Positive Impact on the Brain

We've all heard the argument that music positively influences children.  Well here is an article with some facts to back up that statement.  Especially for me having just had a baby, I plan on getting her involved in the arts and music as early as possible...I mean I need to have some way for her to make it through college and I think a music scholarship would be ideal!!

http://www.foundationformusiceducation.org/archives/745

Time to go back to school

We've all made the decision to go forward with our master's degree in music education, but what about after that.  Going on to attain a doctorate is not only expensive but time consuming.  Here is one person's decision to move on with the education and some reason why they made this decision.  I'm not sure I'm quite there yet and ready to move on past my master's, but maybe one day!

http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/making-the-decision-to-go-back-to-school%E2%80%A6/

Bicycle Built for Two

http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/59d572b325ae6035895a1dba30a394a22c2d9bcb

I think that this program could be very useful in a musical classroom.  I like the fact that it's free and easy to use. Students would be able to use this program to create their own music, or to learn more about the music they are performing by writing parts of it out.  I am hoping to get this program installed in our computer lab to use in my own classroom.  I'm really glad that I learned about this.  I also feel as if the program is pretty self explanatory to anyone that has prior musical knowledge, and would be easily learned by those with limited knowledge.

Technology in Home Studio Practices

There is not doubt that technology is  a driving force in America today.  I came across this article that explains how a private teacher incorporates technology into their home studio.
Not only does music technology make for a better and more well rounded studio, the benefits for the students are quite remarkable.
This article is a great way to find new ways to help students via technology.


http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/how-home-studios-are-helping-music-students/

How to encourage practicing from your students.

There are so many times when students aren't motivated to practice.  This article gives the educator ways to motivate your students to practice at home to increase their productivity at school.

http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/ways-to-encourage-practicing/

Preparing Students for Performance Anxiety

I know a lot of us not only teach in school but teach privately as well.  Sometimes helping students to overcome performance anxiety is the hardest part of our jobs.  Here's a great article to help with that.

http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/unprepared-students-on-recital-night-prevention-strategies/

Music in our School Month

March is music in our schools month.  I myself was unaware of this.  Time to get out there and start advocating our programs!!

http://www.menc.org/news/view/kansas-music-educators-use-psa-to-support-music-in-our-schools-month