Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band

www.jamesdivine.net

There are so many ways to teach kids how to practice. In a Title I school where almost nobody practices at home, this is a method I have found successful with my students. If you like the podcast, consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/themusicedpodcast www.jamesdivine.net  

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We can always make our rehearsals more interesting by adding some spiciness to them! What makes Italian food delicious is having the right spices in the right amounts. Check out these eight ideas. Incorporate some or all of them over several weeks, and if you like the podcast, consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/themusicedpodcast. www.jamesdivine.net  

A quick and easy tip to make lesson planning easier as a music teacher. www.patreon.com/themusicedpodcast www.jamesdivine.net  

This episode is a little different. In this podcast, I'm sharing a presentation I made on The Story Project, a show similar to The Moth for those who have heard that on NPR. In the presentation, I use my 100 year old saxophone to tell the story of how music saved my life (specifically teachers). Playing the saxophone was life-changing for me! Listen all the way to the end and you can get the code...

In this episode, I interview Wendy Reeves, band director at Sells Middle School. Wendy shares tips with us on how to reduce the amount of time spent on paperwork, classroom management, equipment, travel, and more, so we can devote time to what we really enjoy – teaching music! You'll find several tips you can immediately incorporate into your teaching right now. Wendy has graciously shared her mat...

I have made ALL of these mistakes - and MORE. You can learn from me and others and move ahead in your career faster. Support the podcast here www.jamesdivine.net

If you have a basic rhythm section - a good bass player and set player at minimum - you can make almost any combination of instruments work for a jazz band. These 7 strategies will provide you with additional resources you can use. Jamey Aebersold Jazz Play-Alongs Custom Backing Tracks Support the Podcast www.jamesdivine.net

The longer I teach - 22 years and counting - the more time I spend on fundamentals. You may be surprised at just how much time! Like the podcast? Become a patron, get free gifts and support us at www.patreon.com/themusicedpodcast Here's the link to the Student Led Rehearsal episode mentioned in the podcast: https://www.jamesdivine.net/2017/01/18/episode-75-student-led-rehearsal/ www.jamesdivine.ne...

Tu-Ning - that great Chinese song that nobody seems to play right. Tuning is not an act - it's a lifestyle. Join me as I share some tips and strategies to help you with tuning your ensembles, no matter what their age. www.jamesdivine.net

We all have the same 168 hours per week. The key is NOT to spend more time at work, but to use your time more wisely. These tips helped me gain 5-8 hours of my week back! www.jamesdivine.net

It's normal - after achieving a goal or spending a lot of time in an activity - to feel some post-season blues. www.jamesdivine.net

When percussionists get bored, they tend to get in trouble. Plus we have the most active students placed in the back of the room - and we give them sticks! These tips can help keep them engaged and actively doing great things. Support the podcast on patreon. www.jamesdivine.net

Oh the mistakes - so many - I made as a young director going to festival. I share 16 things I learned the way, tips that can help you do better. Support the podcast at patreon . www.jamesdivine.net

Repertoire selection can MAKE or BREAK your band's performance! Focus on musicianship, not those gems you played in college. In this episode I share some tips and huge MISTAKES I made. Support us on patreon . www.jamesdivine.net

Do you struggle with what to say - or not say - at the concert. There's a fine line between being informative and helpful, and just rambling. Here are some tips to help. Support us at www.patreon.com/themusicedpodcast www.jamesdivine.net

Dare I say that a positive student teacher relationship is even MORE important than teaching music skills? You may not agree totally with that statement, but you have to agree it is an important piece in the puzzle. In this episode I share 5 strategies that have worked for me, several for over 20 years. As a music teacher, you have a great opportunity to influence a student's life (for the good or...

When beginner trumpets have a hard time changing partials, it's almost always about the air. We as music educators know what we want the students to do, but they often don't understand what we are asking. In this episode I share more than six tips to help your trumpet players change partials. It's also effective with other brass players. Has this podcast been a help? It's a labor of love for me. I...

This was my first year back teaching beginning band after a 14 year hiatus while I taught at a suburban high school. My first experience 14 years ago was at a prestigious private school where the students and parents all seemed to care and were on their best behavior. Now I'm at an urban school. My how things are different! It took persistence and consistency over a six week period, but the studen...

My rehearsal time looks completely different starting my 22nd year than it did when I first started out. I find myself devoting more and more time to fundamentals. Join me as I share tips for how I structure my rehearsal time, and join me as a supporter on Patreon . You'll get some cool free things as a thank you.