Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning

Welcome back to Music Education Basics!

Today, we’re talking about readiness for music-reading and developing proficiency.

Just like learning to read language, music-reading follows listening and responding, developing a musical vocabulary, and active musical experiences in a natural progression, as we’ve been reviewing this week.

If you’re a choir director or an elementary music teacher, I recommend introducing music-reading (as in holding a score in your hand) around 2nd or 3rd grade. We tend to introduce music-reading a little sooner in one-on-one settings — piano lessons or other beginning instrumental studies — but in choir, you can usually wait until 3rd grade and spend more time with rote-learning and gradually bridging that gap.

Start by introducing music notation in small doses: simple tonal or rhythm patterns, like we talked about in Day 2, or a short song with mostly stepwise motion to highlight direction on the staff and how the notes alternate between lines and spaces.

I’ll walk you through a simple 4-step process and a few tangible ways to do this in today's lesson.

For show notes, click here.

Looking for the workbook? You’ll find it inside the learning platform, ready to download. Sign up for free access >>

Resources mentioned:

The Art of Music Teaching & Learning — A comprehensive online course for music educators in all types of settings. It's kind of like getting a mini-music education degree in only 8 weeks.

How to Teach Solfege — An in-depth article for elementary music teachers and children’s choir directors

Welcome back to Music Education Basics!

Today, we’re talking about musical phrasing, dynamics, and movement and why it’s important to incorporate these elements of musical expression into the teaching and learning process from the very beginning.

Visuals and active experiences are a huge part of the learning process. In some cases, they are more important in our teaching than spoken directions and letting people read things for themselves. How can we be intentional about structuring our teaching in a way that supports visual learning and active, hands-on experiences?

We’ll explore a few useful strategies, ways to create opportunities for active experience, and meaningful analogies you can use to support music learning and the development of musical understanding in your students.

For show notes, click here.

Looking for the workbook? You’ll find it inside the learning platform, ready to download. Sign up for free access >>

Resources mentioned:

The Art of Music Teaching & Learning — A comprehensive online course for music educators in all types of settings. It's kind of like getting a mini-music education degree in only 8 weeks.

Whole Note Balloon Game — Video demonstration by Fritz Anders

Welcome back to Music Education Basics!

Today, we’re talking about what it means to develop language skills in music—namely, the importance of building a vocabulary of tonal and rhythm patterns, something you’ll hear me describe as the building blocks of music.

Tonal patterns are short, 2- to 5-note groups or phrases. Think of them like words: instead of reading and focusing on the individual letters that make up a word, our eye recognizes the group of letters together; we understand the letters within the context of the word.

The same is true in music: instead of focusing on individual notes, we want to help our students learn to read groups of notes as meaningful patterns.

The goal is to understand the notes within the context of the music.

Rhythm patterns are the same: short, 2- to 4-beat groups or phrases. It’s important to recognize them as patterns vs. reading individual note values.

How do we help our students learn this and build a musical vocabulary? We can start by immersing them in musical experiences, like the way we learn language. Remember, listening and responding comes before reading.

I share a few intentional ideas and some practical advice for putting this into practice in this lesson.

For show notes, click here.

Looking for the workbook? You’ll find it inside the learning platform, ready to download. Sign up for free access >>

Resources mentioned:

The Art of Music Teaching & Learning — A comprehensive online course for music educators in all types of settings. It's kind of like getting a mini-music education degree in only 8 weeks.

Free Rhythm Pattern Card Set — A set of 16 rhythm pattern cards featuring quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests in duple meter.

Rhythm Pattern Card Set — Six rhythm pattern card sets featuring a total of 192 different patterns made up of quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, and quarter rests in quadruple and triple meters (32 cards/set).

Tonal & Rhythm Pattern Card Set: Younger Elementary —Designed for Younger Elementary-age children (K-2nd grade), this collection includes two sets of printable tonal pattern cards (major and minor, 44 cards each) and two sets of printable rhythm pattern cards (quadruple and triple, 32 cards each).

Tonal & Rhythm Pattern Card Set: Older Elementary —Designed for Older Elementary-age children (3rd-5th grade), this collection includes two sets of printable tonal pattern cards (major and minor, 44 cards each) and four sets of printable rhythm pattern cards (quadruple and triple, 32 cards each).

To begin Music Education Basics, we’re going to talk about a primary component of music teaching and learning and something you may not immediately think of as being the first step in the teaching process: listening and responding.

In the introduction last week, I talked about the Music Learning Theory and the idea that learning music is a lot like learning how to speak a new language.

When you learned how to speak your native language, you probably didn't start with reading; you spent time listening to others speak the language around you, soaking it up, exploring how to create sound yourself, and eventually, imitating them.

It’s so important to build listening and responding into your teaching, because, while it's vital at the beginning of musical development, it’s something we come back to over and over again as we learn.

Everyone can learn from opportunities to listen and respond to music, at all stages of musical development, something I explain more in this lesson.

For show notes, click here.

Looking for the workbook? You’ll find it inside the learning platform, ready to download. Sign up for free access >>

Resources mentioned:

The Art of Music Teaching & Learning — A comprehensive online course for music educators in all types of settings. It's kind of like getting a mini-music education degree in only 8 weeks.

Joey Blake and Bobby McFerrin Vocal Improvisation

Dalcroze Eurhythmics Exercises video demonstration

Continuous Rhythm Canon video demonstration

Music Education Basics is a free online workshop for music educators in all types of settings.

It’s available as a video series, but I’m going to share the audio version right here on the podcast so you can tune into the content here each day if that’s easier for you.

Each day, we’ll explore a different foundational aspect of music teaching and learning — a core mindset or process or sequence or approach that will apply to you and your work whether you’re teaching elementary or secondary students or even working with adults. Each lesson has a corresponding workbook and a brief challenge to encourage you to take action in some way.

In this introductory lesson, we're going to talk about the Music Learning Theory and how learning music is a lot like learning a new language.

For show notes, click here.

Resources mentioned:

Music Education Basics — The free video series (+ downloadable workbooks)

The Art of Music Teaching & Learning — A comprehensive online course for music educators in all types of settings. It's kind of like getting a mini-music education degree in only 8 weeks.

You know those things you’ve heard that seem true? I mean, they sound plausible. Plus, if enough people say it, it must be true, right?

Before long, we find ourselves buying into the hype, retelling the story, believing something we’ve heard without stopping to ask questions.

This is how myths begin.

Sometimes, there’s simply a lack of information—nothing to disprove this theory or that idea. Other times, they sound good on paper but are only surface-level with no substance to back them up.

Have you ever stopped to think about myths related to teaching and learning?

What stories are being told out there that affect our work and how we approach things? What’s being shared as fact when there isn’t research to back it up?

It's time to debunk five teaching-and-learning-related myths you may have heard before.

For show notes + full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

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

Democracy and Education (John Dewey)

The Art of Music Teaching & Learning — A comprehensive online course for music educators in all types of settings. It's kind of like getting a mini-music education degree in only 8 weeks.

Brain-Based Learning, Myth versus Reality: Testing Learning Styles and Dual Coding (Josh Cuevas)

‘Neuromyth’ or Helpful Model? (Greg Toppo)

Howard Gardner: The Myth of Multiple Intelligences (John White)

Sending “Learning Styles” Out of Style (Smithsonian Science Education Center)

Great Curriculum Is Important. But It’s Not Enough. (John White)

Ep. 013 - The Nuts and Bolts of Writing Your Own Curriculum

Five Damaging Myths of Professional Development (The Evolllution)

Six Myths About a Teaching Persona (Faculty Focus)

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review in Apple Podcasts >>

Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

Music and perfectionism often go hand-in-hand, don't they?

In music school, we're trained to pursue excellence, to strive to be the best. We're taught to set high standards for ourselves, to work hard, and live up to the high standards our teachers have for us.

The thing is, there are two sides to perfectionism.

The value of perfectionism is that it's a commitment to achieving at a high level. But the cost of perfection is a crippling fear of failure, an unwillingness to try new things, negative self-talk, and an unrelenting pursuit of something that may not always be attainable. In fact, it might not even exist.

Today, I want to share a story about a former student — a 2nd-grader in his second year of lessons. This happened a few years ago but I still think back to our lesson that day and wonder what happened in his life leading up to that moment and what's happened in his life since then.

For show notes + full transcript, click here.

Related resources:

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

The Pros and Cons of Perfectionism, According to Research (Harvard Business Review)

The Gifts of Imperfection (Brené Brown)

Ep. 012 - How to Develop Musicianship in Those You Teach

Sweet Molly Malone (arr. Eklund)

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review in Apple Podcasts >>

Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

Last week, a controversial article written by a Juilliard graduate was published by Rolling Stone. The author argued that a more innovative approach to education at music conservatories could reverse the decline of classical music in the face of pop culture.

It generated a lot of conversation in the classical music world. Some people sided with the author that music conservatories need to change and integrate more popular music styles into their curriculum to stay relevant and others argued that orchestras aren’t dying and that taking a class on Taylor Swift won’t make you a more well-rounded musician and guarantee that you have a successful music career.

I read the article. Perhaps you did, too.

I’m not here to take a stand on one side or the other, per se. Instead, I thought I would share a bit of the conversation that I had with my husband, Steve over dinner one night last week after the article came out.

For show notes + full transcript, click here.

Related resources:

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

Juilliard Must Modernize, Or It Will Disappear (Rolling Stone)

The Art of Music Teaching & Learning: An 8-week course for music educators

Five Creative Incentive Programs for Your Studio

Ep. 026 - My Favorite Aural Skills Games & Activities

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review in Apple Podcasts >>

Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

I hear this over and over from music teachers and educators: there never seems to be enough time to get it all done.

We’re always looking for new ways to be more productive, get more done in the little time we seem to have, and save time in places where, like money, we might be overspending.

Where (and how) do you want to spend your time? What’s important to you?

If you know me, you know I'm a saver more than I am a spender. I love finding ways to save money, creative energy, and yes, time, so today, I'm excited to share a few time-saving tips and strategies that I've learned in the hopes that it helps you save time this week.

For show notes + full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

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

TickTick: a simple, easy-to-use list-based approach to keeping track of tasks

Toggl: a time-tracking tool

Moment app

Best Time-Batching Strategies for Musicians (Musician & Co.)

Free Batching Worksheet (Musician & Co.)

Zapier: a free automation tool

Deep Work (Cal Newport)

Time Blocking: An Ultimate Guide from a Productivity Expert (Toggl)

3 Ways to Organize Your Workweek (Musician & Co.)

Manage Your Email Inbox Like a Boss: 7 Pro Tips (Musician & Co.)

7-Step Guide to Achieving Inbox Zero (and Staying There) (Fast Company)

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review in Apple Podcasts >>

Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew

Aural skills (also known as ear-training) is a fundamental facet of musicianship. Learning to listen, identify, discern, and understand music without notation present helps us develop the inner listening skills needed to become well-rounded, well-versed musicians.

What kinds of aural skills experiences are we giving our students, of all ages? How can we incorporate aural skill activities in our weekly lessons?

In this episode, I’m sharing eight noteworthy tools and resources that will help you develop aural skills in your students this year.

For show notes + a full transcript, click here.

Resources mentioned:

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

ABRSM Aural Trainer app

How to Create a Repertoire Plan Using the Music Development Program Piano Syllabus

RCM Syllabi page

AURALBOOK app

Comprehensive Ear Training series (for pianists)

Vocal Ear Training (for singers)

Sight Singing Solution (for choral singers)

Musicca

E-Music Maestro (purchase access or try their free sample content)

13 Ways to Improve Your Piano Students Ear-Training Skills (Teach Piano Today)

3 Ear-Training Tricks (Teach Piano Today)

How to Jazz Up Ear Training with the Cups Song (Teach Piano Today)

Four Star Sight-Reading and Ear Test books

Four Star online ear training portal (here’s a free sample exercise for Preparatory A)

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review in Apple Podcasts >>

Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew