The spring semester can feel like an infinite haul for students – and even teachers. For most schools, the second “half” of the academic year is legitimately the longest period in terms of days-spent-in class. Plus, the spring semester offers…
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6 Great Ideas for Music Field Trips
American philosopher John Dewey believed, “There is no such thing as educational value in the abstract.” He also said, “Art is the most effective mode of communications that exists.”
As a music teacher and instructor, you’re already helping students communicate…
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Classroom Tips for Substitute Music Teachers
The daily life of a substitute teacher is ever-changing. Without the rapport of day-to-day interactions with students, you’re bound to be met with a range of experiences, from the well-behaved and delightful to the unruly and challenging.
Here are few…
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HOME / MISC Best Violin Solos or Interludes Ever Recorded in Hip-Hop Music
Most string musicians get their start in the classical realm, which is a good foundation for teaching proper playing techniques and learning the basics of rhythm and sight-reading. That said, we highly encourage all string players to branch out and…
Read moreDominant 135SNP vs. Dominant 135B Violin Set: Which Is Better?
Listen as Garrett Semmelink, a Thomastik-Infeld Brand Specialist with Connolly Music, compares the new Dominant 135SNP violin set with the Dominant 135B violin set. He outlines the differences between the two E-string options available in the Dominant 135SNP and 135B…
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The Classical Period of Music
The Classical Period of music may have given its name as the popular descriptor for all of Western sophisticated instrumental composition, but its actual timeline is relatively short. All of the other delineated musical eras get at least a full…
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How to Protect Your Hearing When Playing in an Orchestra or Band
According to the Hearing Health Foundation, normal conversation has a decibel (dB) level of sixty. A symphony orchestra runs around 110 dB, same as a jackhammer. No wonder that as many as 50% of musicians suffer from a hearing problem.
…
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Bowing Terms and Symbols
As a beginning string player, your music teacher will initially focus on posture, ergonomic playing techniques (how to hold the bow and violin, the correct angles for wrist-elbow-shoulder, proper neck support, etc.), and basic fingering techniques. Once you’ve gotten the…
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Muscle Memory: What Is It and Why It's Important for String Musicians
The ultimate goal of a string musician is to perform an exquisite piece without mistakes. Muscle memory is required to let go of obsessing over “where the notes are,” freeing you to focus on telling a story with the music…
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How to Prevent Music Classroom Disruptions
Classroom disruptions are the bane of most teachers. And for those who teach music, the interruptions can be created in a variety of inventive ways. Your students have large noisemakers at their disposal; plus, when you need to work with…
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Classroom Tips for Substitute Music Teachers
HOME / MISC
Classroom Tips for Substitute Music Teachers
The daily life of a substitute teacher is ever-changing. Without the rapport of day-to-day interactions with students, you’re bound to be met with a range of experiences, from the well-behaved and…
Read more
Teacher's Corner: Cool Ways to Organize Your Music Classroom
Standard music classroom organization consists of:
A chalkboard or whiteboard on a wall or two
The teacher's desk and some bookshelves in a corner
Room to store the instruments and related equipment
A big open space for chairs/risers and music…
Artist Spotlight: Composer Rebecca Clarke
Composer Rebecca Clarke (1886 - 1979) was a trailblazer for proficient female musicians and composers of the Victorian era. Despite living when professional musicianship, particularly the realm of composition, was largely considered the male domain, the UK-native and professional violist…
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7 Amazing Facts About Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy is a famous French composer, well-known for works such as Clair de Lune (Moonlight) and Prélude à l'Après-Midi d'un Faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun). A quick listen to either of those works is an aural…
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Artist Spotlight: John Williams
Unlike many contemporary composers, John Williams is a household name, even among families who aren't classic music buffs. To date, his award stats seem inconceivable, even to the most aspiring of professional composers. They include 25 Grammy Awards, seven British…
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Artist Profile: Korean Classical Bassist Mikyung Sung
Aspiring bass players have a plethora of professional heroes to follow, from jazz greats, Avishai Cohen and Charnett Moffett to the great bass “trailblazer,” Gary Karr. Today, we’d like to introduce you to the young, female bass phenom, Mikyung Sung…
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How Do You Determine the Quality of a Violin
This is a controversial and passionate subject in the string instrument world. To give you an idea of just how contentious it is, we'll present multiple sides of the discussion, starting with a quote from the well-known and reputable Jay…
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Tips for Becoming A Traveling Cover Musician
The big dream for most musicians is to play their own music or as part of a prestigious orchestra. But what about those among us that just love to play music? There is a huge market throughout most countries to…
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The Story Behind Vivaldi's Four Seasons
Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) was a prolific, 18th-century Baroque composer who wrote more than 500 concertos. About 230 of those concertos were written for the violin. The most famous of all of Vivaldi’s works is "The Four Seasons” (“Le…
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How To Conquer Playing A Symphonic Score
As a beginning and intermediate string musician, you've spent the majority of your time looking at a single part of music - yours! Meanwhile, the conductor (or your instructor) and the pianist had a full score - meaning all of…
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