By Marilyn Floyd Do you ever wonder why some students seem to have rhythm while others struggle? As teachers, it's easy to see who has a natural aptitude and who doesn't. Humans are born with certain talents, and these remain fairly stable throughout our lives. They have little to do with knowledge, experience, culture, or […]
Read more
By Lou Ann Pope, Tonara Creative Education Specialist How cool would it be to add a Performance Room to your house? What would it be like to be able to have your students knocking on your door, any day of the week, any time of day, to perform their favorite pieces and to encourage each […]
Read more
By Alison Chiang With online lessons now the norm, it is important to show parents that you are able to continue teaching their children over a virtual setting. That being said, students that are already rowdy during in-person lessons are likely a nightmare to teach online! Here are some tips to manage overactive kids in […]
Read more
By Jillienne Bowers Your six-year-old child wants to play the violin and has been asking you to buy her an instrument so she can take violin lessons. How exciting your child wants to play a musical instrument! And you have probably heard about the many benefits this will have on your child’s development. However, starting a […]
Read more
What makes a music artist great, stand the test of time, and attain legendary status? Could it be strong vocals, life stories, songwriting ability, or an energetic stage presence? Most often, it is a combination of all three elements. Irrespective of the music genre, be it rock, jazz, country, rap, or pop, a great artist […]
Read more
By: Alison Chiang One of the biggest challenges as a music teacher is getting your students to practice between lessons. Even the most ardent and enthusiastic student has busy weeks where the piano takes the backseat in the list of assignments to complete. But we don’t tote the quote “practice makes perfect” for nothing – […]
Read more
Music lessons are one of those things that children tend to take on, but sometimes give up later in life. This training can have a significant impact later in life, helping us to stay mentally sharp as we age. As if this isn’t enough, music training gives us an advantage in school, aids in fine-motor […]
Read more
Ask yourself this question: “What do I enjoy most--singing or warming up? If you’re honest with yourself, you will probably answer, “Well, singing, of course!” Performing is much more satisfying than the easiest vocal warm-up exercises. When a runner prepares to run, even a short distance, she stretches and moves the joints as a matter […]
Read more
If you're buying a guitar as your first instrument – congratulations! This is easily not simply one of the most accessible and engaging instruments to play, but also one of the most expressive that you can choose. Whether it's an electric or an acoustic one, you'll be able to jam your favorite songs and sing […]
Read more
By Beth Horton There’s a common meme popping up in teaching groups this year - showing Bart Simpson and his pal Milhouse entering a cave together with the caption “veteran teachers mentoring first-year teachers during pandemic teaching ” and it is very clear that neither really knows what is in store for them. This image […]
Read more