Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band

With 23 years of teaching and ten as a professional musician, I have learned a lot over the years - much of it the hard way. Not every technique works for every band every single time, but in this episode I share dozens of quick tips that have worked for me and others. Tips to improve tone and tuning, tips to improve balance and technique - and more. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider...

Do you keep a planner, either electronic or old school? It's not enough just to "keep" one. Make it a tool to help you plan your life and keep you balanced. In this episode, I share seven strategies that have helped me be more balanced and be a much more effective teacher. Find out why I have a two year calendar and what exactly I do on Friday nights. Why is it important to learn to say no. Has th...

Do you feel safe behind the podium? Get out from behind there! It's not the best place for you. In this episode we talk about the podium, pacing, and getting 100% of students to participate. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great f...

Do you want to make your first week of school great? Do you want to make band fun? Get the students doing something musical from day one! EVERY OTHER TEACHER is going to spend the entire first day talking about rules, rules, rules. That makes MY eyes glaze over. Sift your rules down to just 2-3. You can always go more in depth later. Start the first week with high expectations and lots of energy....

You've just performed your last concert and there are two weeks left in school. Now what?   Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ).    Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services   Check out Music, Instruments and Science...

There is nothing about a lost life that is easy. I experienced a huge loss in a community I served a number of years ago. I navigated it with great difficulty, anguish of heart, and much prayer. Hope my journey helps you.   Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthe...

A parade can be a lot of fun - or it can be stressful and annoying. The choice is really up to you. These tips can help it lean more towards the fun side! Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ).  Find out more about fundraising for your program...

Although I have been in music my entire adult life - 34 years to be exact - I did not have a music degree until I was 43 years old. I had wanted to earn my master's degree for many years, but kids, life, and cost prevented me. There are excellent master's in music education that cost 25, 35, 50 thousand or more! Do you know what I paid for mine? Just $9,000! It's more affordable than you think. An...

Air will get you there! I learned this from one of my mentors when he would come to work with my band - and even as a professional musician - when taking lessons - I was told to USE MORE AIR. In this episode I share three tips to help your beginners get a fuller, rounder, thicker, more beautiful tone. It's a process - a life long one at that! Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporti...

I recently taught these exact same lessons to my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands. It didn't take them long to get the hang of playing notes the proper length and acquiring a swing feel. In this episode, I lead you through the process to teach the same concepts to your band. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time...

It has been a crazy year for teachers! Even though I KNOW I am where I am supposed to be, I still found myself looking at job postings at least 100x the last year. Listen in as I share from my heart about my calling and how those of us with a high EQ can navigate our crazy feelings. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make...

It's that season, where band teacher jobs are listed and many people change schools. Make sure you change for the RIGHT reason. Here are some tips that helped me a few years ago when I changed positions. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ). ...

College is great, but we don't learn everything we need to know there. In this episode, I share seven things I wish I knew BEFORE I started teaching. Learn from my experience. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ).  Find out more about fundrai...

There is life after teaching band. It MAY be something still in music, but it may be something totally unrelated to music. You have many options! To get my free resource 40 Ways to Make Money as a Musician send me an email at jamesthedivine@gmail.com. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amou...

You are not going to be the best teacher you can be if you don't put your needs first - physical, relational, spiritual. When you take care of you, you are more equipped to serve your students. Everything in life works under the pay now or pay later rule. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any...

In this podcast, I share some great tips and ideas that you can use to create traditions and develop a great culture in your band. You must be intentional in this. The traditions you create will often be the memories that students think of years from now. You have the power to create a terrific culture! Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge th...

What do you think when your principal tells you she would like for you to incorporate reading into band? Do you inwardly groan? Do you dread the thought of giving up an entire day of music for reading? It doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, I interview reading expert Dr. Danny Brassell. He shares tips and strategies to incorporate reading WITHOUT taking away from what you are doing music...

Even though teaching may look differently for a while, you can still engage your students! In this episode, I share five tips that have worked for me. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making a one time donation of $5? Donate here :  Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for...

These are trying times! Even though I currently don't teach marching band, I am considering starting one at my middle school (I started and taught marching band for a decade or more at my previous school). Through marching band, we learn team work and socialization and leadership skills! Also see Episode 47: How To Start a Marching Band Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making a one t...

Join me as I interview tuba Professor Scott Watson of the University of Kansas. We talk about starting students on tuba, as well as recruiting, switching, and tips for producing a great sound. Scott also shares about a method he created using words to paint sound concepts into students' brains. These words are effective in both one on one as well as in band instruction. Find out more at www.brassw...

This is a replay of an episode I recorded in 2012. Excuse the sound quality. Many of you may not even be doing ANY concerts this year, much less a Christmas concert. In this very short episode, I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on why I chose many years ago to not have Christmas concerts. Maybe this will give you an idea for the future, when concerts return and the pandemic is a thing of...

#2minuteteachertuneup www.jamesdivine.net

A few weeks ago I did something I thought I would NEVER do - switch to teaching something besides music. Now this isn't permanent, and I'm not advocating this for everyone. I share this primarily to encourage you that if you find yourself needing to shift for any reason, you CAN do it. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making a one time donation of $5? Donate here :  Find out more abo...

#2minuteteachertuneup www.jamesdivine.net

It's time to radically rethink grading - not because of a pandemic but because our current way of grading is outdated. Imagine if you showed up for work Monday-Thursday and gave it your all, 100%, every day. But then you decided to slack off on Fridays and only give 10%. Your grade would be a B, but you would still lose your job. Listen in as I share my radical grading. Do you think it can work? E...