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Teaching Tips

AI in the Music Classroom

Music educators must consider the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, which can lead to a more engaging and empowering music learning experience for all students.

Requisite Recommendations for First-Year Music Teachers

The 2025 “40 Under 40” educators offer essential tips for new music teachers to help them succeed and thrive.

Concert Chairs to Marching Squares

Try these 8 tips to help students switch instruments.

Spooky Sound Mysteries

From haunting to downright bizarre, these sounds make for a fun fall exploration with your music students.

Score Study Comes First!

Seven steps to help you make time to dive into score study.

How to Effectively Partner with School Administration

Fostering a close-knit teacher-administrator relationship will pay dividends for your music program.

Create an Emergency Bag for Work

Have these 15 items on hand to handle minor emergencies that you will inevitably run into.

The “No-Shortcuts” Approach

Putting in the work is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it’ll give you a leg up as you progress in your career.

You Will Never Feel “Ready,” But You Can Be Prepared

Nine recommendations for music education majors and novice in-service music educators to hone their skills.

The Daily Grind: Find Joy in the Routine

Embrace these five truths and you’ll succeed and thrive as a music educator.

Teaching is Planting Seeds

Patience is required to see the benefits of your teaching efforts.

Give Up Control

When given the opportunity, students reach farther and achieve more, so let them take charge and see what unfolds.

The Benefits of Learning Another Instrument

By playing multiple instruments, you will broaden your musical perspective and be a better composer and arranger.

Prepare for Spring Concerts

As the New Year begins, if you haven’t thought about your Spring concerts, you better start now! Here are some things to consider as you prepare for your next performances to close out the school year!

Essential Tips for First-Year Music Educators

The 2024 “40 Under 40” educators offer must-do and must-try tips to new music teachers to help them through their first year of teaching.

Master the Art of School Communication

In addition to the actual message, the method and frequency of communication with band families are critical. Try these tips on improving the dissemination of important information.

Teach With Flow: Protect the Time You Have

Try these practical techniques for minimizing distractions, automating routines and engaging students in a truly immersive musical experience.

Increase Your Positivity with the 3:1 Ratio

Try the praise-to-criticism ratio to help students feel encouraged and safe in the music classroom.

Combining Science and Music

Consider collaborating with a colleague and coming up with an interdisciplinary lesson plan or course to show students the breadth and depth of music.

Co-Directors and Assistants: Step Out of the Shadows

If you are in a secondary role to a band director, arm yourself with practical tips and insights to maximize your impact in the classroom.

5 Ways to Beat Writer’s Block

It’s exciting to teach composition, but what do you do when your students hit a creative roadblock?

Reclaim Time

These small purchases, adjustments and mindsets will help save time and make your job easier.

Off the Page, Part 2: Explore Simple Melodies by Ear

In part 1 of this series, we looked at five ways to go “off the page” and use pop music to teach musical principles. In part 2, we will look at ear training.

Student Teaching 101: A Guide to Success

Step into your student teaching role fully prepared with this all-encompassing guide of practical tips and a handy checklist to help you thrive in the classroom and beyond.

5 Teacher Tools that Will Maximize Your Efficiency

Check out these ways to manage and streamline your workload.

How to Navigate Student Resilience

Help your students go from apprehension to applause with these tips on building their confidence through customization, collaboration and communication,

Why You Need to Be a Good Conductor

Conductors do more than keep time. Here are five reasons to work at your conducting skills so you can lead and inspire your ensembles.

Today’s Tasks that Pay off in May

Elevate your music class from novice to virtuoso with these five practical, long-term strategies that maximize rehearsal time and transform student musicians.

Expert Tips for Navigating Your First Festival

Be prepared for this exciting step in your music educator career with our real-world guide that includes detailed planning mixed with the need for adaptability so you can enjoy the moment.

Music Tech Series, Part 2: Elementary Music Technology

See how National Standards can meet music technology competencies for elementary school students with some fun science, STEAM and creative composition lessons.

3 Homework Activities that Encourage Parent Involvement

Enlist parents to reinforce the lessons from music class — these fun activities are sure to be enjoyed by students and their families.

10 Ways to Make Your Students’ Day

Kids are excited to see teachers who are excited to see them, so bring your A-game every day.

The Importance of Commissioning Music

Finding new composers and securing funds to commission pieces is worth the time and effort. Not only are you building diverse repertoire and expanding the canon, but you are providing your students with the unique opportunity to meet composers and dissect their work.

Music Tech Series, Part 1: Getting Started Teaching the DAW

Transform music education by using new technologies and low-cost gear for recording and composing.

Off the Page, Part 1: Bring Creativity into the Band Room

Don’t rely on method books! Go “off the page” and try these five ways to use pop music to allow students to learn musical principles in real time.

Video Game Music Composition: An Art Form

There are many ways to create music for video games. Find what works best for you!

8 Unconventional Rehearsal Tips

Try these tips to challenge your students to listen, react, communicate, perform and ultimately, to be musical!

Music on a Cart: Make it Work

We’ve all heard of art on a cart, but what about music on a cart? You can store and carry all you need in a cart to teach music lessons!

Engage Parents as Partners

Work with and utilize parents to help your program succeed. Bring them into the fold, give them ownership and allow relationships to thrive.

5 Recruitment Tips You Must Try!

Recruitment is a big part of ensemble directors’ jobs. Don’t look at it as a burden, but rather as a way of turning potential students into “our kids.”

Be an Effective Teacher-Leader

Be an agent of change, advocate for the true purpose of education, take initiative to solve problems and share your experiences with other educators.

6 Websites that Help Me Arrange

Explore these sites to learn all the possible information you need about a track, which will make your life as a music educator much easier.

How a Classical Musician Directed a Jazz Band

You don’t have to choose between classical and jazz. If you are a trained classical instrumentalist, leap into the world of jazz!

Incorporate Popular Music into Traditional Ensembles

Involve your students to infuse current and popular music into performances.

My Introduction to Orff

Exploring the social aspect of music as proposed by Carl Orff in the 1920s, opened a music educator’s eyes.

Teach Composition to Older Beginners Using Kodály Philosophies

The Kodály Concept, which focuses on singing and physical movement, is a great way to help high schoolers connect to music.

Proactive, Reactive and Restorative Disciplinary Measures

Understanding why kids misbehave is complex and challenging. Here are some tips on the best ways to handle disciplinary matters.

Advice for First-Year Music Educators

The 2023 “40 Under 40” educators offer useful tips to new music teachers to help them through their stressful first year. 

Celebrate Failure: Teach Through Music

Accepting failure is crucial to helping students become lifelong learners who are self-motivated to succeed.

The Performance Mind Game

Try these student-centered approaches to maximize the moment — before, during and after every performance.

Subbing Success

Being a substitute teacher requires flexibility, organization and compassion. Try these tips to succeed.

Shine the Spotlight on Community Engagement

College music programs act as liaisons and bring numerous stakeholders together to make a positive impact in the communities they serve.

Develop Atomic Habits for Your Program

A key to success is to have a consistent system of routines that you and your students follow.

Help Students Learn from Failure

Teach students to learn from their mistakes and turn failure into opportunities for growth.

Holiday Lessons and Activities for Elementary School

Elementary students will enjoy these holiday- and winter-themed activities.

Neurodivergence and Music: My Experience

People whose brain works differently often experience sounds, including music, in unique ways.

The Power of Words: The Enduring Effects of Arrows and Songs

A Longfellow poem and its moving message helped to reinforce the underlying foundation of the Forney High School band program.

Mentoring in Action — From the Mentee’s Perspective

A veteran music educator’s practical advice and honesty help a new music educator as he embarks on his first year of teaching.

Mentoring in Action — From the Mentor’s Perspective

Veteran music educators can — and must — help guide and mentor new music teachers.

Elementary Music Crafts: Handmade Instruments

With a bit more planning, you can teach your elementary students how to make musical instruments out of straws, popsicle sticks, cardboard and paper plates.

The Benefits of Branding Your Band

Your band’s brand should transcend the walls of your music classroom and let the greater community in on the magic you and your students create on a daily basis.

Delayed Gratification: When Students Get Tired, Teach Them to Rest, Not Quit

Look at the big picture and help your students get through tough times because they will learn that delayed gratification isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.

Collaborative Concerts Grow Musicianship and Community

Work with your colleagues and local community to create special concert events for your students.

5 Lesser-Known Composers and Why You Should Teach About Them

Go beyond Mozart and Beethoven and introduce your students to these five composers.

A Guide to Mentorship in the Collegiate Music Program

College students yearn to be mentored. Try these four ways to understand, encourage and support your students.

Football and Band: A Match Made in Heaven?

Build teamwork and collaboration within your music program and throughout your campus community by working with athletic coaches and spirit team directors.

Utilize E-Portfolios to Improve Equity in Student Assessment

Improve equity in assessment with e-portfolios that captures contextually rich digital evidence of student performance.

Daily Diet of Fundamentals

In preparing for a contest, spend more time on fundamentals at first so students can strengthen skills to achieve a high level of performance.

COVID Protocols I Plan to Keep in my Music Class

Some COVID safety rules create a stronger learning environment where students are conscious of their germs and surroundings.

5 Music Apps and Software that You Should Check Out

These music apps and software programs will enhance music-making for musicians and music educators.

Training Plan for Your First Year of Teaching

Your first year is like training for a marathon. Prepare during the summer and schedule rest days throughout the school year.

Consider Context: Make the Invisible Visible

You must always consider the context of where students are coming from. Try these strategies to help students who may be dealing with difficult situations.

Reboot and Invest in Yourself and Your Program

Incorporate these tips into your lessons to help students with music reading.

5 Ways to Use Synthesia

Besides teaching your students how to play piano, Synthesia can be used to create play-along videos for any instrument.

Apply Music Learning Theory Principles in Your Teaching

Teach young children to use all their senses to engage and learn about music.

5 Experimental Pieces Every Concert Band Should Play

Innovative music will teach your students unique and valuable skills, and it will excite your audience.

Observing Score Details

Students must go beyond the initial stages of learning and incorporate score details made by the composer to bring a piece to life.

Instrument Repairs, Hacks and Fixes

Try these common techniques, alternative approaches and money-saving tips to deal with instrument repairs.

Note-Naming ≠ Music-Reading

Incorporate these tips into your lessons to help students with music reading.

How to Succeed as a Sole 6-12 Music Educator

If you are the middle school and high school band director, you can easily get overwhelmed, but with proper investment and planning, you can succeed.

Dollar Store Manipulatives for Elementary Students

You can find bargains at discount retail stores that can be transformed into learning tools for your elementary music classes.

Build a Culture of Excellence

Music educators must create an environment where students move from thinking they could be great to knowing they could.

Changing Jobs, Part 4: Things No One Tells You About Switching Jobs

People change jobs for various reasons. Consider these things when pursuing or accepting a new job.    

Changing Jobs, Part 3: Questions to Ask Potential Employers

You’ll be asked a battery of questions during an interview, but remember that it’s essential for you to ask questions, too.

Changing Jobs, Part 2: Interviewing Tips

Interviewing for a job is stressful. Try these tips taken from a music educator’s experiences as an interviewee and as an interviewer.

Changing Jobs, Part 1: Improve Your Resume

A good resume is the first step in landing a job interview. Try these tips to improve your chances of standing out in a pile.

The Teacher’s Role in Developing Good Practice Habits

From the first lesson, it is the teacher’s responsibility to provide students with the necessary tools to practice effectively at home.

Concert Black Do’s and Don’ts

Keep these considerations in mind when deciding what your concert band will wear for concerts and competitions.

12 Practice Tips, Suggestions and Strategies

Try these practical practice guidelines to help students develop as performing pianists.

Bridge the Gap Between “Knowing” and “Doing”

Try these practice strategies to help students move from listening to information and implementing it.

The Different Types of Practice

Before piano teachers can help students learn to practice efficiently, they must understand the various types of practice.

122 Tips for First-Year Music Educators from the 2022 “40 Under 40”

The 2022 “40 Under 40” educators offer 122 tips to new music teachers to help them through their stressful first year.

Auxiliary Instruments Every Concert Band Should Have

Many bands are performing auxiliary-heavy modern pieces, so it can be difficult for a director to choose which instruments to purchase. Here is a list of must-have auxiliary instruments.

Use Movement to Fix Rhythmic Issues

Movement is often the most effective teaching tool to help students “feel” rhythm.

Be a Better Teacher by Being Selfish

Improve your job satisfaction and performance by shifting some priorities and acting with your own best interests in mind.

5 Tips to Start and Run an Audition-Only Ensembles

Try your hand at forming an elite audition-only ensemble.

Make Band a “Home” for Everyone

To make band a place for everyone, you must create an experience that offers multiple and flexible ways to participate.

Open a School, Create an Ideal Program

Working at a brand-new school is a great opportunity to start fresh and create the music program you want and for the community you’re about to serve.

5 Ways to Keep Elementary Students Engaged

Try these five lessons that will keep elementary school students motivated and excited about learning about music.

Marching Band Uniforms Do’s and Don’ts

Here are some things to think about before selecting new uniforms for your marching band.