#musedchat Archive

Each Monday evening at 8PM EST, music teachers get together and share ideas about important topics within music education. It’s a great chance to interact directly with educators from all over the world and to get new tips and tricks to help you succeed in the classroom. The entire #musedchat discussion is organized and moderated by Joe Guarr.

Monday February 5, 2018
8:00 PM EST

  • participatechat Feb 5 @ 8:00 PM EST
    Participate in the upcoming #musedchat by sharing resources and collaborating at https://t.co/x9OSK7xqnl
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:00 PM EST
    It's #musedchat time! Our topic: transferring/generalizing musical skills. Be sure to introduce yourself! #musiced
  • kellyapetro Feb 5 @ 8:01 PM EST
    Hi, Kelly from Rochester, NY 4-6 Vocal/General Music #musedchat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:02 PM EST
    Hi Kelly, thanks for the topic suggestion this week #musedchat
    In reply to @kellyapetro
  • kellyapetro Feb 5 @ 8:03 PM EST
    Thank you for using it for the chat. I've often wondered why students have a hard time transferring music skills from one situation to another. Either piece to piece or from classroom music to ensemble rehearsal. #musedchat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:04 PM EST
    Hi #musedchat Adam from NJ, a surprising amount of teaching got done today, all things considered.
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:04 PM EST
    Yeah, I've noticed similar struggles in moving from warmups to concert music #musedchat
    In reply to @kellyapetro
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:05 PM EST
    Good to see you Adam, how are you tonight? #musedchat
    In reply to @jarvelamused
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:05 PM EST
    Hi all - Sam Fritz from Greenwood, IN 6-8 Band #MusEdChat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:06 PM EST
    i don’t even know if i’ve given this subject much thought! Great idea for a chat. #musedchat
    In reply to @kellyapetro
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:06 PM EST
    How are you tonight, Sam? #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • musicsocstudies Feb 5 @ 8:06 PM EST
    Hi everyone! David, HS choral director from SC #musedchat
  • d90monamann Feb 5 @ 8:06 PM EST
    Hi Everyone! I am here for the first time as part of a class on social media. I teach 5/6 general music. #musedchat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:07 PM EST
    Welcome to the chat, David, how are you? #musedchat
    In reply to @musicsocstudies
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:07 PM EST
    Welcome to the chat, glad you could join us! #musedchat
    In reply to @d90monamann
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:07 PM EST
    Doing well @jguarr ho about you? #MusEdChat
    In reply to @jguarr, @jguarr
  • musicsocstudies Feb 5 @ 8:07 PM EST
    Doing well, thanks! #musedchat
    In reply to @jguarr
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:07 PM EST
    feeling on top of the world! #musedchat
    In reply to @jguarr
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:08 PM EST
    Living the dream. Snow day today, so unexpected three day weekend #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:09 PM EST
    Q1 coming shortly #musedchat
  • d90monamann Feb 5 @ 8:09 PM EST
    Hi Everyone. I'm a 5/6 general music teacher relatively new to Twitter. #musedchat
    In reply to @kellyapetro
  • MrBMusicTeacher Feb 5 @ 8:11 PM EST
    Antoine Buttigieg here from Woodbridge, Director of Bands and Drumline at @FrBressaniCHS #musedchat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:12 PM EST
    Q1: When students move from an elementary general setting to a secondary music class, what skills do they seem to have the most difficulty transferring? #musedchat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:12 PM EST
    Good to see you Antoine, welcome #musedchat
    In reply to @MrBMusicTeacher, @FrBressaniCHS
  • ceoltoir Feb 5 @ 8:13 PM EST
    Rare Monday open! Ian-general Music in Michigan #musedchat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:13 PM EST
    welcome to twitter! If it hasn't been recommended, you should go to tweetdeck so you can follow along with the #musedchat in its own column!
    In reply to @d90monamann, @kellyapetro
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:13 PM EST
    Welcome, Ian! #musedchat
    In reply to @ceoltoir
  • TubaChic Feb 5 @ 8:14 PM EST
    HI everyone! I'm late to the party, but I'm Susie and I teach 4th and 5th grade band in California. #musedchat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:14 PM EST
    Good to see you, Susie #musedchat
    In reply to @TubaChic
  • jenbussan Feb 5 @ 8:14 PM EST
    We are giving away S-Cubed #sightsinging program this week! #musedchat #elmused Enter here! https://t.co/UV7W4yj5n7 https://t.co/KpIVoUdRlL
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:14 PM EST
    Burton Hable, 6-12 band in Ankeny IA, able to jump in tonight because the snow cancelled our symphony rehearsal! #musedchat
  • TubaChic Feb 5 @ 8:15 PM EST
    A1: I don't have an answer, but I'm following so that I can learn what areas I can focus more on in my teaching elementary Ss. #musedchat
    In reply to @jguarr
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:15 PM EST
    Glad you could make it, Burton #musedchat
    In reply to @BurtonHable
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:16 PM EST
    A1 I’m a level removed, but I feel like transferring pitch reading to an instrument after elementary general music was a challenge in my previous job #musedchat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:17 PM EST
    A1: I would say that reading notation is something that my students still have to relearn when they have an instrument in front of them. #musedchat
    In reply to @jguarr
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:17 PM EST
    A1: I think we see that Elem Ss tend to see every musical experience as “new” and not a review of or addition to prior knowledge #MusEdChat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:17 PM EST
    A1: My students have a general aversion to singing, at least at first. #musedchat
  • kellyapetro Feb 5 @ 8:18 PM EST
    A1: my experience is with kids moving from General Music in 6th grade to Choral ensemble in 7th. They don't seem to easily apply music literacy skills in this new setting. Also instrumentalists don't apply their skills to reading music in Chorus. #musedchat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:18 PM EST
    oh and they know to keep a steady beat in some way shape or form, but give them an instrument and they don't know how to tap their toes!?! #musedchat
    In reply to @jguarr
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:18 PM EST
    Fascinating topic! If you hear a poor sight-reading attempt do you #musedchat presume pitch or rhythm to be the problem first?
    • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:16 PM EST
      A1 I’m a level removed, but I feel like transferring pitch reading to an instrument after elementary general music was a challenge in my previous job #musedchat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:19 PM EST
    I guess it depends on the context of the error, or the student that made it #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • marissaguarr Feb 5 @ 8:19 PM EST
    Marissa- 3-12 Orchestra director in Bucks County, PA #musedchat
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:19 PM EST
    Since our whole K-12 system has transferred to pitch reading using solfege and rhythm reading using takadimi, most of the rhythm problems have gone away unless they are newly introduced rhythms #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:20 PM EST
    Hi Marissa! #musedchat
    In reply to @marissaguarr
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:20 PM EST
    This is why we have a unified approach to teaching music literacy in band/choir/orchestra in all 3 grades! #musedchat
    In reply to @kellyapetro
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:20 PM EST
    It always feels like 100% a rhythm issue (b/c the pulse goes bye-bye) but its probably more that the kids are stopping time to decipher and decode. #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • MrBMusicTeacher Feb 5 @ 8:20 PM EST
    A1 99 % of my kids come with no expectations. Unless you call the recorder an instrument (quickly ducks) #musedchat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:21 PM EST
    Write the letters underneath the notes? :P #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz, @kellyapetro
  • BethMartinetti Feb 5 @ 8:21 PM EST
    Beth Gen/choral 2-5 A1 I find that students are hesitant to view themselves as musicians and discount the knowledge they’ve gained in elem gen. #musedchat
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:21 PM EST
    Loved digging into your podcast the last few days. We are deeply embedded in the PLC culture, but as a 6-12 instrumental team. I’m anxiously awaiting your posts/casts on using literacy as a common piece between B/O/C #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz, @kellyapetro
  • musicsocstudies Feb 5 @ 8:21 PM EST
    We use both solfege & takadimi, too. Solves a world of problems! #musedchat
    In reply to @BurtonHable, @SamuelFritz
  • marissaguarr Feb 5 @ 8:21 PM EST
    A1: I see a huge decline in creativity or willingness to really take risks and make mistakes- a middle school thing seen in all areas in sure but glaringly obvious in Music! #musedchat
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:22 PM EST
    That’s next up!! #MusEdChat
    In reply to @BurtonHable, @kellyapetro
  • kellyapetro Feb 5 @ 8:23 PM EST
    That's very interesting - I've often wondered if part of the problem is a difference is vocabulary or phrasing. I'm not using the exact same words so the students are not accessing prior knowledge #musedchat
    In reply to @BurtonHable, @SamuelFritz
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:23 PM EST
    Q2: Within one course/grade level, are there any skills that students tend to struggle to generalize? #musedchat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:23 PM EST
    What's the podcast called? Always looking to add more to the rotation #musedchat
    In reply to @BurtonHable, @SamuelFritz, @kellyapetro
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:24 PM EST
    It is interesting because we are finding that kids nail takadimi, but unless we have them say pitch/solfege in rhythm they struggle in sight reading. Anyone else? #musedchat our Ss tend to focus on pitch accuracy as a default in the moment not rhythm
    In reply to @musicsocstudies, @BurtonHable
  • phyllissings Feb 5 @ 8:24 PM EST
    Phyllis dropping in from Louisiana to say hello. I’m a 5th & 6th Grade GM and Choir teacher #musedchat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:25 PM EST
    Say hello to tonight's drooly co-moderator #musedchat
  • MrBMusicTeacher Feb 5 @ 8:25 PM EST
    If you guys haven't heard of @AMusEdCast they're awesome! #musedchat
    In reply to @jguarr, @BurtonHable, @SamuelFritz, @kellyapetro, @AMusEdCast
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:25 PM EST
    I would hazard a guess because the rhythm is telling you when to sing the solfege. #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz, @musicsocstudies, @BurtonHable
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:26 PM EST
    Samuel has an excellent post on just that part of it! https://t.co/6Y8WmMbvFh #musedchat
    In reply to @kellyapetro, @SamuelFritz
  • MicroMusicEd Feb 5 @ 8:26 PM EST
    A2 Left hand for recorder seems to take forever for some students! :) #musedchat
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:27 PM EST
    Hmmm, my guess is our students are the opposite. They can nail the rhythm but struggle with the finger combinations necessary to perform the pitches. #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz, @musicsocstudies
  • musicsocstudies Feb 5 @ 8:27 PM EST
    Exact. Same. The step of speaking solfege in rhythm is crucial for our Ss success. #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz, @BurtonHable
  • TubaChic Feb 5 @ 8:27 PM EST
    I second AmusEd!! They're local to me and have some spot on topics. Plus they're funny! #musedchat
    In reply to @MrBMusicTeacher, @jguarr, @BurtonHable, @SamuelFritz, @kellyapetro, @AMusEdCast
  • MrBMusicTeacher Feb 5 @ 8:29 PM EST
    A2 theory for some. It's like rocket science. But as a brass player I find that woodwinds pick up playing faster than brass. #musedchat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:30 PM EST
    A2: I try to put a lot of focus on having my kids do longtones to focus on all the good sound and control stuff, but then they just go back to huff&puff as soon as they try to read. #musedchat
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:30 PM EST
    A2 For some, compound meter seems to be a real kicker. Takadimi has made that easier, but there are some kids that still just survive #musedchat
  • BethMartinetti Feb 5 @ 8:30 PM EST
    A2 breathing for choir. I have struggled to get students use their breath efficiently. I recently got my Pilates certification and have begun using posture and breathing techniques with students. #musedchat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:31 PM EST
    a2: Pattern recognition. We do a few scales as part of the warmup routine, but if a scalar 16th note run appears in our concert music, some kids just freeze #musedchat
  • kellyapetro Feb 5 @ 8:33 PM EST
    I agree - you can do consistent breathing exercises during warm-ups but then when you work on rep they don't apply the technique #musedchat
    In reply to @BethMartinetti
  • marissaguarr Feb 5 @ 8:33 PM EST
    A2: Bowings! It’s as if they don’t exist unless I remind them- particularly bad when sight reading. Students also have trouble telling the difference between ties and slurs and how that effects bow work #musedchat
  • marissaguarr Feb 5 @ 8:34 PM EST
    A2b: also, String players think they don’t need to breathe!!! I wish we could transfer that from general/ choir more easily- always reminding my kids to breathe and often warm up with breathing exercises #musedchat
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:35 PM EST
    A2: is compound meter not covered in methods because publishers say it’s too hard? It gets covers in takadimi early but hard to reinforce in literature #MusEdChat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:35 PM EST
    have you ever tried "NOW WE WILL IMMEDIATELY APPLY THIS BREATHING WARM UP AND EXERCISE INTO A REPERTOIRE SITUATION TO DERIVE THE DESIRED EFFECT"? #musedchat
    In reply to @kellyapetro, @BethMartinetti
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:35 PM EST
    Ooh, I really like that idea. Lately I've been trying to cherry pick tough rhythms and incorporate them into warmups, this will be even better #musedchat
    In reply to @BethMartinetti
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:36 PM EST
    Same with percussionists. I can't tell you how many times I've said "Come on, you have to breathe to live. Just do it at the same time as everybody else." #musedchat
    In reply to @marissaguarr
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:36 PM EST
    is compound meter when the beat is written as subdvided into three instead of two in this situation? I feel like every time someone brings it up it changes on me. #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:37 PM EST
    1000 times this! We’ve gone so far as to commission or receive permission to arrange Grade 1-1.5 compound literature #MusEdChat https://t.co/QMAlpqnuEs
    • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:35 PM EST
      A2: is compound meter not covered in methods because publishers say it’s too hard? It gets covers in takadimi early but hard to reinforce in literature #MusEdChat
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:37 PM EST
    Try having them play a 12-count long tone (for example) then choose a section of music that requires the same paced air (might be 4-5 measures of a fast piece) ask them to make breath feel the same #MusEdChat
    • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:30 PM EST
      A2: I try to put a lot of focus on having my kids do longtones to focus on all the good sound and control stuff, but then they just go back to huff&puff as soon as they try to read. #musedchat
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:38 PM EST
    Yes, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8 #MusEdChat
    In reply to @jarvelamused
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:39 PM EST
    You agree with me, therefore, you are a genius. #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:39 PM EST
    Q3: What are the most effective strategies for teaching students to more consistently transfer/generalize skills? #musedchat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:39 PM EST
    "No I don't I can just drink Mountain Dew." #musedchat
    In reply to @jguarr, @marissaguarr
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:40 PM EST
    We are in the final stages of a 5-piece commission in 6/8, 9/8, 12/8 for grade 1 band and orchestra! #MusEdChat
    • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:37 PM EST
      1000 times this! We’ve gone so far as to commission or receive permission to arrange Grade 1-1.5 compound literature #MusEdChat https://t.co/QMAlpqnuEs
      • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:35 PM EST
        A2: is compound meter not covered in methods because publishers say it’s too hard? It gets covers in takadimi early but hard to reinforce in literature #MusEdChat
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:40 PM EST
    Yes! We need to get them to understand what it FEELS like to do these concepts. What does it feel like to phrase that way? Play in that tonal center? Play that rhythm at that tempo? #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:40 PM EST
    A3: repetition is good repetition is good repetition is good? #musedchat
    In reply to @jguarr
  • MrBMusicTeacher Feb 5 @ 8:43 PM EST
    Playing playing playing! Recording also opens up their eyes but more importantly their ears. Unlike math or art unless. They record what they are playing they can't reflect/improve effectively #musedchat
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:43 PM EST
    A3: choose one fundamental as your rehearsal “through-thread” so you connect it in all aspects of playing. Before long all fundamental concepts are connected #MusEdChat
  • MicroMusicEd Feb 5 @ 8:44 PM EST
    A3 I try to draw connections beyond music. Often some can begin to create new connections I hadn't considered. There is a lot of time to correct bad connections and "crossed wires" #musedchat
  • ceoltoir Feb 5 @ 8:44 PM EST
    A3 use common language from elementary to secondary. Point out places in the music where the concept appears when introducing new music. #musedchat
  • BethMartinetti Feb 5 @ 8:44 PM EST
    A3 I’m a huge fan of recording the students to pass on some ownership and responsibility. #musedchat
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:44 PM EST
    Hard to quantify in 280 characters. Lots of repetition and consistency. Warm up in that tonal center. Use rhythms, articulations, and pitch patterns from the piece. What does it feel like? #musedchat
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:44 PM EST
    A3: Tying warmups into concepts from concert pieces has been effective for me. #musedchat
  • MrBMusicTeacher Feb 5 @ 8:46 PM EST
    A3 Playing playing playing! Recording also opens up their eyes but more importantly their ears. If they don't record what they are playing they can't reflect/improve effectively #musedchat
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:48 PM EST
    A3 Layers. Say the rhythm. Say it with fingers. “Sizzle it” with fingers. Play it on a single pitch. Play it like it’s written. What do each of those things feel like? #musedchat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:48 PM EST
    And since man is vain, how many recording attempts did they make before sending that one? If they tried fifteen times, then they just practiced one little thing for about three minutes! #musedchat
    In reply to @MrBMusicTeacher
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:49 PM EST
    A3.2 we call them fundamentals as “warm-up” seems to make kids think it is something you do before learning and fundamentals, in all sports, suggest a necessary part of “winning” #MusEdChat
  • gakingmusic Feb 5 @ 8:49 PM EST
    I would then add articulations to the 12cts. Tongue half notes, then quarters, then 8ths. Articulations make it more difficult to preserve and manage air. #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • AmyLynnRever Feb 5 @ 8:49 PM EST
    So the snow day threw off my "it's Monday" radar. 🙁 Looks like I've got some catch up reading to do! #musedchat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:51 PM EST
    Fundamentals. That more fun #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:52 PM EST
    To add another layer, I talk about breath management relating to dynamics much like percussionists use level heights. 16-ct air = piano volume. So… play that quietly = make that section feel like 16 ct breath management #musedchat
    • gakingmusic Feb 5 @ 8:49 PM EST
      I would then add articulations to the 12cts. Tongue half notes, then quarters, then 8ths. Articulations make it more difficult to preserve and manage air. #musedchat
      In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • MrBMusicTeacher Feb 5 @ 8:53 PM EST
    Naïve me wants me to believe that they are practitioners all week up to the due date reality majority wait until the last minute #musedchat
    In reply to @jarvelamused
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:53 PM EST
    Snow day sure was nice though #musedchat
    In reply to @AmyLynnRever
  • BurtonHable Feb 5 @ 8:53 PM EST
    YES! After that one, I’m definitely wondering the same thing. How haven’t we met? :) #musedchat
    In reply to @SamuelFritz
  • EduGladiators Feb 5 @ 8:54 PM EST
    🌈Join us SATURDAY for a POWERFUL discussion on equality in our schools as we continue our #EduGladiators series: We Shall Overcome as @nalang1 moderates! #LearnLAP #flipclass #vachat #edtechchat #MASSPchat #musedchat #edchatme #neisdpln #wyoedchat
  • jarvelamused Feb 5 @ 8:56 PM EST
    So many have no desire to even attempt to practice, but they all of a sudden can do it with the best of them when they want to make a recording! #musedchat
    In reply to @MrBMusicTeacher
  • jguarr - Moderator Feb 5 @ 8:57 PM EST
    Gotta sign off a couple minutes early for bathtime. Have a great week everybody! #musedchat
  • Muzzikkatt Feb 5 @ 8:58 PM EST
    If goal is to recognize, finger and play certain notes and rhythms The is left/right as important? #musedchat
    • Muzzikkatt Feb 5 @ 8:57 PM EST
      Besides using a baroque fingered recorder: what is the purpose for using left on top? Phil Collins’ set is backwards. If ...
  • SamuelFritz Feb 5 @ 8:59 PM EST
    Sometimes that is the problem - what do you call alphabetical name? Note or pitch? What do you call rhythmic value? Note or …? We don’t get time to align this so there is much unintentional confusion #MusEdChat
    • ceoltoir Feb 5 @ 8:44 PM EST
      A3 use common language from elementary to secondary. Point out places in the music where the concept appears when introducing new music. #musedchat