In the past year I’ve been teaching a lot of ukulele classes in the Portland schools. I’ve also done a lot of shows at area retirement homes. I think that playing and teaching music with young and old has given…
Music is Your Friend For Life
I often tell my young students “if you make friends with music now, music will be your friend for life”. At least in my own life, I have found this to be true. I have considered music to be my…
The Persistence of Muscle Memory
In my last post, I mentioned that many people who pick up an instrument that they used to play are surprised by how much they remember, even if it’s been years since they last played. The primary reason for this…
I Used to Play in the School Band
When people find out I’m a music teacher they often tell me some version of the following: “Oh you play (flute, clarinet, saxophone)! I used to play (flute, clarinet, saxophone) in the school band. I really liked it but (I…
Music Lesson Anxiety
When I talk to adults who are interested in taking music lessons, I frequently hear some variation on the following story: “My parents made me take lessons as a child and I hated it. The teacher was very strict and…
The Sandwich Method of Teaching and Practicing
I am grateful to my friend Savannah Mayfield Roberson for introducing me to the sandwich method. Originally, she recommended it as a way to break bad news to somebody. You start by saying something positive, then you put the bad…