An introduction to the most common musical articulation markings.
What to expect from the parent groups organized to support school band programs.
A discussion of some of the opportunities available to former band students.
Explanations (suitable for any age) of the basic elements of music, with suggested activities for introducing the concepts to children at early elementary school level.
A beginning guitar course, meant for individual or small-group lessons with an experienced instructor. After completing this course, the student should be ready to begin serious study in any guitar style.
For students in grades 2-7, an introduction to a musical tradition from the West Indian island of Trinidad, with a song to learn and related activities to do.
For those new to music history, a discussion of the meaning of the term "classical music", and an introduction to the Western art music of the second half of the eighteenth century.
An introduction to a classification system for all musical instruments.
An introduction to a classification system for all musical instruments.
An introduction to the element of music called counterpoint, with some useful terms.
Activities for students grade 2-5 that use music to practice identifying multiples and fractions.
An introduction to and short history of the orchestral brass instrument called the "French horn" or "horn",
This module, intended for grades 4-8, introduces students to Germanic folk music and culture using folk songs that celebrate being outdoors. Recommended for springtime.
Music teachers, directors, and band mates can be very helpful when you are trying to become a better musician, but they cannot make you a better musician. They can only tell you how to improve. In fact, many developing musicians make great strides with no guidance from others, simply by practicing well and often.
Your lesson time is a time for showing your teacher how you are doing at the moment, and getting advice on what to work on next, and how to work on it. You don't really have time to practice or improve during your lesson, only to get the insight into how to improve. Your group rehearsals (band, orchestra, choir) are mainly for learning repertoire and improving the ability of the group to play together. Again, there is no time for you to actually work on improving your skills as a musician. Performances are for letting everyone enjoy the progress you have made. You should enjoy them, too, and not have to be worried about the technical details of the music. None of these times are ideal for actually making progress, so even if you show up for every lesson, rehearsal, and performance, you will have no time to improve! Individual music practice is absolutely necessary if you want to become a better musician. If your opportunities to work with teachers or be in groups is limited, it is even more important to practice well and often.
Introduces syncopation in common notation and in strumming, and simplified chord strumming notation on a staff.
The guitar is a very versatile instrument that is popular in many different styles of music. It comes in several varieties that have important similarities, although they can sound very different.
The harmonic series is the key to understanding not only harmonics, but also timbre and the basic functioning of many musical instruments.
For the Western listener, a basic introduction to the tuning and scales used in the classical music of India.
Suggestions for introducing elementary-school-aged children to Scott Joplin, the "king of ragtime".
For the Westerner with some knowledge of Western music theory, but none of Balinese gamelan, an introduction to the basic elements of the music, with some suggestions for informed listening.