Rote learning is a method of instruction based on imitation and repetition. This is useful for things like multiplication tables and the ABCs, but it’s also beneficial for learning a new language and yes, learning music. And in a day and age when we’re doing more online teaching, this is especially important.

When we learn something by rote, we start by listening, then experiencing it ourselves—imitating what we see or hear, listening and watching again, and repeating it until we can do it on our own.

Today, I want to talk about three of the primary benefits of rote learning in music education and offer some practical, step-by-step techniques for incorporating rote learning into your teaching approach.

For show notes + a full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some of these links.

The Benefits of Rote-Teaching (Dr. Julie Knerr & Katherine Fisher)

Classroom Activities for Teaching a Rote Song (Gordon Institute for Music Learning)

Methodology: Sequence, Whole/Part/Whole Curriculum, and Other Central Principles (Gordon Institute for Music Learning)

Piano Safari - a beginning piano method

Fun, Easy Gathering Activities for Children’s Choir

How to Teach Solfege in Children’s Choir

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