by Jamey Mann, Catoctin School of Music A debated topic amongst guitar students and teachers is the use of tablature. Modern guitar tablature (tab) is a system of lines representing strings and numbers signaling which fret to push down. This is a system in which many self-taught guitar students use to start teaching themselves basic chords and riffs. I am in the middle when it comes to...
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by Jamey Mann, Catoctin School of Music One of my favorite teaching techniques is letting my students teach me. This is valuable to the teaching process as it allows students an opportunity to verbalize what they’ve learned. It is an opportunity for teachers to gauge their student’s comprehension of topics covered during lessons. In addition, it helps with a student’s communication skills which gives them the...
Read MoreRecital season is looming on the horizon, and it’s time to make song selections! In the name of fairness, I make a point to give students the opportunity to submit requests for recital songs before we make a final decision. This does not always go the way I would hope – some students need more guidance than “Pick a song you love!” to make a...
Read More“That’s not real music.” Any educator, performer, and advocate of new music has undoubtedly encountered this statement. Audiences like what is comfortable – recognizable structure (symphony having four movements, sonata form being in three primary sections, recurring melody, etc.), a consistent rhythm and beat (waltzes, common time, etc.) and of course, a westernized tonal center complying with the social construct of “major = happy, minor =...
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by Alyssa Cowell, Catoctin School of Music It’s That Time of Year! December is in full swing and we’re getting ready for family celebrations. It’s easy to get lost in all the hustle and bustle of planning and partying. Consider setting aside some time to give the gift of sharing music during the holiday season – it requires some preparation, and a little sacrifice, but there...
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