Shows / Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning
This podcast is a collection of creative ideas, practical strategies, and thoughtful observations from the field of music teaching and learning. Music educator Ashley Danyew will dive into topics like how we learn, developing musicianship, time management, teaching sequences, planning tools and strategies, the art of teaching, practicing, and the creative process, and share personal stories from her own experiences and observations. You’ll find creative and pedagogically-sound teaching…
Episodes
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning038 - The Secrets of Interleaved Practice: What We Can Learn From Cognitive Science
If there's one thing we know it's that practicing is fundamental to developing skills as a musician. And as music teachers and educators, we're always looking…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning037 - Do You Play Your Instrument for Fun?
When was the last time you sat down at your instrument and played music for fun? I mean, not music you had to practice or prepare, not the music you're…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning036 - Let's Talk About Improvising
Improvising and musical creativity is something I value in my studio and something I want to encourage and foster in all of my students. This was not my…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning035 - How to Help Children Develop Their Singing Voices
According to church musician and educator, Helen Kemp, 17% of children need help finding their singing voices. These are the children who often sing with a…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning034 - Do We Really Teach How We Were Taught?
Perhaps you've heard the age-old adage: we teach how we were taught.Of course, we know this isn’t the full story: we all have unique backgrounds and a variety…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning033 - How to Teach Music Literacy Using Color
If you walk into an elementary classroom, you might notice that everything is color-coded: signs and charts on the wall to labels on bins to pieces of tape…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning032 - "I Make Music Because..."
Today's episode is a special one because for the first time on this podcast, you'll hear someone other than me talking. In fact, you'll hear 22 other voices —…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning031 - A Summer Reading List for Music Educators
One thing I love about summer is picking out a new book (or three) to read. I love having a book with me when I travel, but also the everyday times like…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning5 Ways to Develop Creative Musicianship (Music Education Basics)
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…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & LearningReady to Read: 4 Steps for Developing Proficiency (Music Education Basics)
Welcome back to Music Education Basics!Today, we’re talking about readiness for music-reading and developing proficiency.Just like learning to read language…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & LearningThe Case for Musical Expression (Music Education Basics)
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…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & LearningHow to Develop a Musical Vocabulary (Music Education Basics)
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…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & LearningThe First Step in Music-Learning That’s Often Overlooked (Music Education Basics)
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…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & LearningWelcome to Music Education Basics
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…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning030 - Five Myths About Music Teaching & Learning
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…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning029 - The Cost of Perfection (A Teaching Story)
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…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning028 - The Case for Musicianship Skills (My Response to the Rolling Stone Article)
Last week, a controversial article written by a Juilliard graduate was published by Rolling Stone. The author argued that a more innovative approach to…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning027 - 8 Ways to Save Time This Week
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…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning026 - My Favorite Aural Skills Games & Activities
Aural skills (also known as ear-training) is a fundamental facet of musicianship. Learning to listen, identify, discern, and understand music without notation…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning025 - New Year, New Teaching Goals (What I'm Learning from Bob Ross)
I have to be honest: I have a love-hate relationship with goals. I’ve had years of setting detailed goals in categories like Business, Teaching, Professional…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning024 - The Secret Strengths of Introverts (+ Survival Tips for Teachers)
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?Society often makes us feel like we are one or the other, but in reality, these personality traits are two opposite ends…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning023 - How to Practice Efficiently in 30 Minutes Or Less
We know that practicing is important to our work as professional musicians, even if we aren’t performers. Staying connected to your instrument helps keep your…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning022 - On Being a Lifelong Learner
As lifelong learners, we get to discover new things, new people, and new ideas. We explore things that are new and unfamiliar, whether that’s reading a short…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning021 - How to Use Praise with Intention
In the last few years, I’ve spent some time reflecting on how best to encourage and motivate my students to continue learning on their own. I started thinking…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning020 - Asking the Right Kinds of Questions
As teachers, we ask a lot of questions.What’s the first note?What’s your hand position?Which finger plays the black key?What kind of note do we sing in m…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning019 - The Benefits of Rote Learning & How to Use It in Your Teaching
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…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning018 - This is What an Elementary Piano Buddy Lesson Looks Like
At the beginning of this year, I had a buddy lesson with a 2nd grader and a 1st grader.Samantha and Colby have back-to-back lessons in my schedule this year…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning017 - How to Channel Your Inner Child and See the World Differently
Some suggest that embracing your inner child (and, in some cases) thinking like a five-year-old is actually beneficial for creativity, lifelong learning, and…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning016 - 7 Unconventional Approaches to Starting the New School Year
Most years, the beginning of the new school year feels fresh and exciting. Everything is new and bright and full of possibility.This year, in the midst of a…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning015 - The Unexpected Benefits of Teaching Online
In March of this year, teachers all over the world were thrown a curveball when schools were closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 outbreak…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning014 - What Will You Learn This Summer?
Do you find yourself drawn to being a learner again in the summer months? Do you read more or study a topic that’s interesting to you, learn a new skill, take…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning013 - The Nuts and Bolts of Writing Your Own Curriculum
Today, we’re talking about curriculum. And more specifically, how to write your own.A curriculum can be defined in a few different ways. My favorite definition…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning012 - How to Develop Musicianship Skills in Those You Teach
Let’s talk about musicianship.Musicianship is the skills you have as a musician: things like listening, singing, playing, creating, performing. It’s also the…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning011 - Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity
Last summer, I discovered a book one day that piqued my curiosity while browsing in the OverDrive app: Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity by…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning010 - Hosting a Virtual Studio Class: 7 Tips for Success
A few years ago, I started teaching monthly group classes in my studio.The idea was to include more opportunities for informal performance, observation…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning009 - Six Things I've Learned About Teaching Online (So Far)
What a crazy few weeks in the world, right?Who would have thought that we’d be facing widespread school closures and the sudden need to move everything online…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning008 - 10 Creative Ways to Use Rhythm Pattern Cards in Your Teaching
Rhythm pattern cards are a great way to teach new rhythmic concepts, reinforce familiar patterns, and build that all-important musical vocabulary (the ability…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning007 - Let's Start at the Very Beginning (What I Learned from My Piano Teacher)
Last week, in Episode 6, I talked about four things I’m doing differently in my piano studio this year. Today, I want to take a step back and tell you a story…
- Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning
006 - Four Things I'm Doing Differently in My Studio This Year
No matter how many years I teach, I always feel the same excitement around a fresh start and trying new things. There are certain parts of my routine that I…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning005 - Escape the Monotony and Reinvigorate Your Teaching with These Quick Tips
You know the feeling:Lackluster.Laborious.Boring.Same old, same old.It’s easy to slip into a rut in rehearsals from time to time, but I think we can all agree…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning004 - 3 Ways to Inspire and Motivate Those You Teach
Think about some of the great teachers you’ve observed or had the pleasure of working with throughout your life. What made them great? What separates them in…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning003 - The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
A few years ago, I finally got around to reading a book that was on my to-read list for a few years: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning002 - How to Continue Developing Your Teaching Skills This Year
Julia Child once said, "You’ll never know everything about anything, especially something you love."So true, right? The world is constantly changing and…
Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning001 - What Kind of Teacher Do You Want to Become This Year?
I love setting goals, specifically ones that are intentional and strategic, and help me become a better version of myself; goals that have a purpose and a…