Category: Educator Resources

Benefits of Music Education

Whether you play a musical instrument yourself or enjoy listening to music while you drive, you likely understand how important music truly is. Despite its appeal, many schools are getting rid of their music education programs. Whether you enroll your child in private lessons or group lessons at school, it’s never too late for your […]

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Meet our Top 25 Semi-Finalists for the 2018 Music Educator of the Year Award!

Sometimes we forget just how much work music educators across the country put in to keep music programs alive. But, it’s programs like our annual Music Educator of the Year award that quickly remind us of the amazing impact educators have on students and their communities. We received applications from all across the country for […]

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Apply for the Educator Innovator Award from the Give a Note Foundation

Each year, the Give a Note Foundation honors the most creative and effective school music programs with the Music Educator Innovator Award. Although the deadline for Fall 2018 entries ended on October 31, you can always start preparing for your Spring 2019 submission now! Sean Smith, Board Chair/President of the Give a Note Foundation, encourages […]

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Altissimo Fingering

Understanding Altissimo for the Saxophone

Altissimo is a funny word that is best defined as the high notes on the saxophone that start when the regular fingering scale ends. The saxophone normally goes up to a high F or F# (sometimes even high G) and the fingering chart ends there. These Altissimo notes are the high notes you hear pro […]

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Helpful Apps for Teachers to Use in the Classroom

When it comes to teaching effectively, one of the best tools is right in your own pocket–just ask Kevin White, a percussion instructor at two Music & Arts locations in Charlotte. He’s been a teacher for over 20 years, and his average student has been with him for about five years, so he knows a […]

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Piano

Tried & True Techniques for Teaching the Piano

Derek Linzy, a piano and guitar teacher at the Music & Arts in Conyers, Georgia, sat down with the Music & Arts team to talk about piano techniques and fundamentals for beginners. Derek has worked in the music industry over a 15 year span, and in that time has worked as an audio engineer for […]

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How to Read Sheet Music Effectively: A Beginner’s Guide

Learn to read music with this crash course covering the basics of standard music notation — plus essential reading tips. 

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5 Tips to Take Your Trumpet Playing to the Next Level

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or professional trumpet player, you’re probably always on the lookout for ways to improve your trumpet playing. There are lots of trumpet playing tips and tricks out there, but you don’t need to look for strange and obscure ways to improve your playing. Often the tried-and-true methods are the best […]

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How To Service French Horn Rotors

With a few simple, affordable supplies and this step-by-step guidance, musicians and music directors can easily learn to service rotor valves. This can be of great benefit in both emergency situations and as a matter of regular maintenance. While there are many points of service that can be attended to without great investment or advanced […]

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Teaching Classical Guitar Technique

By Scott Schwertfeger, Guitar instructor in Burke, VA The modern, nylon string “classical” guitar is an amazing instrument and vehicle for music expression. It comes from a long line of distant cousins, including the Lute, Vihuela, Renaissance Guitar, and Baroque Guitar. Since the first construct of the modern design in 1859 by Antonio de Torres […]

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