Preparing for a Performance You’ve heard it for weeks. Johnny has been playing his recital piece beautifully – beginning to end with minimal mistakes. Then, in the performance, Johnny gets nervous and ‘blanks’ in a few spots, his fingers are...
The Dream Student Every teacher’s dream is the dedicated student who comes to lessons enthusiastically, brings in their own musical ideas, composes without being asked, practices for an hour a day and volunteers to perform on every public performance. Our...
Last Wednesday night I got a call to come and play with Evanescence in Houston, for a Friday evening show. Of course I jumped at the opportunity! I grew up with Amy Lee singing My Immortal and Bring Me to Life, so I figured to make music with her on...
The right music at the right time is imperative for the success and longevity of student interest in music lessons. A Pop Recital doesn’t have to be limited to simply Pop 40, though it does make it pretty awesome! Start easy. That may be Disney, or Pop 40, or...
There are two fun factors with a pop recital. The first is playing a pop song for a performance (placing value on popular music as integral to the learning process), and the second is playing with a band/rhythm section where it all comes to life. This student thought...
TIMELINE If one of your primary goals as a teaching artist is to make music come to life for your students, you need to be putting on a pop recital! Check out my take on why I do this, and the importance of having a Pop Recital. If this is your first time,...
