At the beginning of the school year, when choosing an instrument to introduce first to students, drums (tubanos) would be high on the list of what I’d put in front of them. Am I crazy? Maybe, but I want students to understand how to approach an instrument...
Recorders! It had such a positive impact on my elementary music experience that it’s to blame for starting me on my musical path! The rest is history, and here I am, full circle as an elementary music teacher! Now, I know you’re excited and committed to...
I have walked into classrooms that have 40 triangles but only 10 strikers, an entire box full of shekeres in 3 different sizes, and jingle bells to outfit the entire school, but not one decent hand drum or pair of claves! This has kinda been my world since jumping...
Mallets make a difference….a big difference! The mallets you choose to use will affect everyone’s overall playing and listening experience. When it comes to selecting mallets, both teachers and students prioritize two important factors: how the mallet feels in...
Melodic percussion instruments, or barred instruments like xylophones, glockenspiels, and metallophones are the quintessential set of instruments used in many elementary music settings. They are valuable when accompanying singers, but are even more so when students...
Hey! Hi, friend! I’m talking to you! You! The new teacher of elementary music; Or you, who is reflecting on the school year that has passed and is thinking about how you might like to extend the learning; Or you, who is contemplating if the new year coming up is...
