#210. Practice Can Make Perfect

#210. Practice Can Make Perfect

The next time you have a student or an entire ensemble continually stumble on one note when playing a run or fast passage, try this. Have them hold that “bad” note. Then have them start on that note and continue the passage until it is firmly corrected....
#209. Let Me Tell You A Story

#209. Let Me Tell You A Story

I love to tell stories, use metaphors, or make analogies in rehearsals. I’ve always felt it was a great way to connect with students, to describe an image of something we’re trying to create musically, to emotionally connect all of us with the music we are...
#208. A Video Might Work Better

#208. A Video Might Work Better

I’ve long suggested that when our students are coming in for the start of rehearsals, we should have music playing by the finest of that type of ensemble for our students to model and imitate. When my concert band is coming in, I want them to hear the United...
#207. Have Them Play Less

#207. Have Them Play Less

Many years ago, I was speaking with a band director who posed a great question to me. He said, “I am so careful to teach correct posture and playing position to my beginners. I constantly remind them of its importance, chastise them when it’s wrong, and...
#206. Disrupt The Usual

#206. Disrupt The Usual

Stasis, the notion of things just staying the same, can be comforting. We usually embrace the idea that “what has always happened will happen again.” When going to our favorite restaurant, we can count on the dish we love being the same every time we order it. And in...