August 2016 - Oclef

Scheduling challenges

Oclef teamAug 31, 2016 Teacher No Comments

One of the toughest problems as a private music educator is scheduling. When your studio is full and all you can do is offer someone a time that they need to get out of work early to bring their child what do you do? I think one answer is to have a big...

Misbehaving in lessons

Oclef teamAug 28, 2016 Teacher No Comments

Misbehaving in lessons

Teacher

I’ve been pretty lucky over the past few years. I’ve never had a discipline problem with any of my students. Diminishing attention spans, yes, minor defiance, yes, but never a chronic discipline problem. A situation last week made me question...

Is Frank Ocean’s new album Blond more artistic, creative and impactful than all of today’s contemporary classical music?

Oclef teamAug 25, 2016 Classical Music No Comments

Is Frank Ocean’s new album Blond more artistic, creative and impactful than all of today’s contemporary classical music?

Classical Music

The obvious answer is that you can’t compare apples and oranges, but that’s not the case here. Stravinsky released his Rite of Spring in 1913 as Ballet Russes newest cross-arts production. The art created a reaction that drove people to riot....

3 simple yet powerful practice habits

Oclef teamAug 22, 2016 Practice No Comments

3 simple yet powerful practice habits

Practice

Practicing an instrument for years doesn’t mean that you’re practicing correctly, but even if you are, there are still ways to hack your practice time to make it even more efficient. With these three hacks any student can turn 15 minutes into an effective...

Grit in music education

Oclef teamAug 19, 2016 Education, Music Education Advocacy No Comments

Grit in music education

Education, Music Education Advocacy

I’m reading Angela Duckworth’s book called Grit. It’s clear that she’s incredibly passionate about the subject. Throughout the book she talks about how grit plays a role in many different disciplines and subjects. Her passion and...

“I played better at home!”

Oclef teamAug 16, 2016 Music Education Advocacy, Perform No Comments

“I played better at home!”

Music Education Advocacy, Perform

“I played better at home!” I hear it at least once a day. For the most part, it’s true. But why does this happen? Nerves? One of the things that you learn quickly as a pianist is that not all instruments are the same. Unlike almost all...

The first day of school, the last day of passionate curiosity

Oclef teamAug 13, 2016 Education No Comments

The first day of school, the last day of passionate curiosity

Education

When children begin to speak they learn everything they need to ask a million questions. Why is that like that? What is that called? Who is he? How does it happen? They ask questions because it gives them what they need most – knowledge. They are...

Digital natives

Oclef teamAug 10, 2016 Education No Comments

Digital natives

Education

One of my students had a birthday a week ago. After I left the concert and party, I started to think about the average age of my studio class. Most students are born on or after 2009. Seven years old. This made me start to think about what the world was...

Is music education a superorganism?

Oclef teamAug 07, 2016 Education, Music Education Advocacy, Uncategorized No Comments

Is music education a superorganism?

Education, Music Education Advocacy, Uncategorized

Scientists have now established that forests are connected by the relationships between fungi and trees. They send food and resources to each other and can also communicate when there is danger. They are all connected through small tubes created by the...

What are the greatest gifts we give to students? (Part 2)

Oclef teamAug 04, 2016 Education, Music Education Advocacy No Comments

What are the greatest gifts we give to students? (Part 2)

Education, Music Education Advocacy

A Gallop poll conducted a few years back asked workers whether they enjoy their job. The poll found that 70% of workers were unhappy with their job and work. The majority of people pointed to their unmotivated bosses and lack of connection with the work...