The Evolving Educator

Rhythm is the elementary level of mathematics in music. The true examples lie in other areas such tuning and construction. The latest edition of The Strad has a great article on the mathematics involved in just making the scroll. Click the picture to download a PDF of the article.

I am currently seeking funding for the next stage of my creation, the Rhythm Ruler. The Rhythm Ruler is a tool to teach students about rhythms. It displays inches and sixteenth, eighth, quarter, half, and whole notes. The back has a breakdown of eighth, quarter, and half note triplets. I created the the Rhythm Ruler [...]

Here’s an Ab scale for string orchestra with fingerings. I put the shifting dash in between notes so the students see it earlier and prepare for the shift. Click the thumbnail for a larger image.              

http://www.flickr.com/photos/passiveaggressive/4773512458/in/photostream/     http://bancomicsans.com/   http://comicsanscriminal.com/  

I just want to say what a fan I am of the English journal, The Strad. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I find it much more useful and worldly than our American String Teacher journal.

To set a positive tone for the start of the year I gave each student a little welcome back package. -Of course, everyone gets a new folder – supplied by the local music store. -Nicely printed labels with their name and graphics for their folder, music, and book. -A CD with recordings of the music [...]

As the new school year approaches it’s time to think of recruiting for the music program. Our orchestra program begins in 3rd grade and band starts in 4th grade. So we hang posters around the grade level hallways for kids to see that they now have a new opportunity. Of course I also do classroom [...]

As I start a new year I review my ongoing list that I keep during the year of things I want to change and update. What do you want to change? Some of my goals for this year: -Listen to more music in rehearsals -Play my instrument more more with students -Automate technology so it [...]

Educators, are there any materials you wish you had? I have lots of documents and such that I have created and wanted to see what other teachers need. Thanks!

Check out the music and arrangements I have for sale.

My book, “An Introduction to Double Bass Playing”, is available via iTunes, Lulu, and on my web store.   Richard Armandi, Chicago area bassist and teacher says this: “An Introduction to Double Bass Playing” by Peter Tambroni is a wealth of information and just about covers all the ‘basses’ that a young or new player to the [...]

You never when when a student is finally going to flourish. And persistence is key whether you are the student, teacher, or just aspiring to reach your life targets. As an example, NPR recently did a story on boogie-woogie piano player, Pinetop Perkins, who at 95 years of age was nominated for a Grammy.   [...]

From American String Teacher              

Mouse pad…

Student: What’s that buzzing? Me: My refrigerator. Student: Sounds like a Bb. Why? Me: Because of electricity and electric current. Student: Electricity must like jazz.

Any musicians out there interested in back issues of American String teacher? I’ve got lots from the late 90s / early 00s.

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow. I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] [...]

This weekend my Chamber Orchestra received a Division I rating at the annual Illinois Grade School Music Association contest festival. And the for the first time ever, we received a I rating from every judge!!!!

I can work with students and educators of all ages in a variety of settings such as: Elementary / Middle / High School Strings Bass sections Music Departments – with topics ranging from basic tone production to incorporating technology into orchestra as well as helping teachers use technology in their daily workflow. College Education Classes [...]

Here’s a 2 octave scale with a Venn diagram.

Anyone have an idea what these plastic tubes are for?

The following is from the back cover of the February 2011 volume of Educational Leadership. ***Updated 2/8/11

Happy New Year! What are your goals for this  year? What are your plans to achieve them? Some of my targets – and I like to call them targets rather than goals as a target is something you can hit – are to: -Exercise harder -Practice consistently -Have some solos performance ready -Write more and [...]

How do you manage students that don’t practice or don’t do their homework?

Disappointed that your students aren’t going to music school? Perhaps you should be disappointed that they are. What? Did I just say that?Education is an interesting and delicate phenomenon. Should we promote the often touted ‘well-rounded’ or generalist concept or should we track students early on to become specialists?—–or should have a different model… perhaps [...]