If you are a fan of technology, it is a sure bet that you have tried the IPAD app Rhythm Swing with your students. If you haven’t you can check it out at this link. It is an addicting and rather challenging app that teaches rhythms all the way through eighth notes. It would be […]
Rhythm Swing Tracker Read More »
Just in the nick of time, Chissy Ricker’s Creature Features, was released as the new semester began, and I JUMPED on that studio license. I knew I had a nice group of Ricker stans who would adore this….and the theme was just perfect because I host an annual Halloween performance party for grades 1-6, and these
Motivating with Creature Features Read More »
I often have siblings come to lessons together and am always looking for activities that will keep the waiting sibling occupied. One of my go-to ideas is to have a few pages that I can slip into page protectors for additional practice. Last week, I designed a couple for beginners. One of these sets has
This is the time of the year that I have all the balls in the air that I’m frantically trying not to drop. Yes, you guessed it. It’s recital/festival/exam prep season. Our state MTNA group hosts a spring festival with comprehensive testing of ALL the things. Performance. Sight Reading. Technical Skills and Theory. Within
Simple I-V Harmonizations Read More »
I have struggled over the years getting students to come up with the most simplistic composition. Making choices between rhythms, notes, and chords can be a daunting task. Last week when I was working with a student, I drew this simple grid on a whiteboard. The basic step is to start with one rhythm and
Composition Brainstorm Read More »
A couple of years ago, I was prepping some students for our local MTNA evaluations. They understood the symbols and could match them up easily but could not recall the symbol to draw them. I created a couple of symbol pages that can be inserted in wipe-off sleeves or even page protectors for practice at
