I saw this posted recently. I don’t know if it’s a true story, but it definitely sounds like how Yogi would explain jazz. Interviewer: Can you explain jazz? Yogi: I can’t, but I will. 90% of all jazz is half improvisation. The other half is the part people play while others are playing something they …
When it comes to musical instruments, the saxophone stands apart as a true masterpiece. With its unparalleled ability to evoke emotion, its versatile sound range, and its captivating blend of elegance and energy, the saxophone has rightfully earned its place as one of the most beloved and revered instruments in the world of music. Recently …
Believe it or not, 36+ years in the music field and I almost didn’t join band in 6th grade! Maybe I didn’t know the benefits, or maybe I was just too young to care. Learning a musical instrument offers a wide range of benefits that extend beyond simply acquiring a new skill. The most important …
Having both beginners and intermediate students in the same class at the same time is not ideal, but it can be done. In this epiosde I share some tips on how you can make it work. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Get my FREE …
Read more “Episode 234 – Teaching 2 Levels of Band in the Same Classroom”
I’m a band teacher and belong to several social media sites where other members can post questions, express struggles, and share resources. It’s great most of the time, but I have noticed a disturbing trend where, when responding to a member’s difficult situation – instead of posting helpful advice – members post responses like this: …
When suggesting reeds for sax and clarinet players, should you choose Vandoren, Rico, some other brand? What strength reed should you start students on? What reed should you avoid? Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This …
Read more “Episode 233 – Tips for Reed Selection – Clarinet and Sax”
A few years ago the mantra “It’s not enough to not be racist. You should be anti-racist,” cropped up. Whether you agree with the exact phrasing or not, there is truth to it. I’ll come back to that in a minute. I grew up with a dad who was abusive. We had to escape him. …
Do you struggle with staying organized? In this episode, I share some strategies that may be helpful… Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Subscribe in iTunes Free Smooth Jazz Music Has …
Remember Nancy Reagan’s theme from the 1980s to Just Say No to drugs? She was made fun of, but it is an effective strategy. You may not struggle with drugs, but I bet you do struggle with saying no! When you say yes youre saying no to something else. Many miss the great doing the good …
Read more “Episode 231 – Setting Boundaries and Saying No Nicely”
Do you have an idea for a book or article? Many people dream of writing a book, but they don’t ever start.Starting is probably the most important thing to do! Get started writing a book.. Follow these steps: Set a goal Don’t worry about editing or proofreading If you follow these steps, you will be …
I was driving and stopped to get gas and a drink at a local store when I heard a loud exclamation… “ Hey everybody – that’s my orchestra teacher.” I didn’t recognize the young lady the exclamation came from, but upon further inquiry, I found out she was a student of mine from 4-5 years …
Whenever I travel through St. Louis, I absolutely love staying at a particular Airbnb that is built up in the trees. Not only is it peaceful and feels like a retreat, but it also reminds me of my dream as a child to build a treehouse for my mom. I have absolutely zero skills at …
You have got to listen to this fantastic interview with Scott Watson! Scott is an experienced music teacher and composer. Besides his wonderful works like “Aesop’s Fables: The Tortoise and the Hare, Extraordinary Machines of Clockwork and Steam,” and more, Scott has created tons of FREE resources to aid in your teaching. Check out his …
You walk into a concert hall and are bombarded with crying babies, cell phones ringing, people talking on their cell phones, people playing games, cat calls to band members, and doors opening and closing in the back. It’s frustrating. It’s disrespectful. Proper concert behavior can and should be taught to the audience and the band …
Read more “Teaching Great Concert Etiquette to the Audience and Performers”
Ever since I was in middle school, I have been very fond of old westerns (I guess they weren’t that old when I was in middle school). Much to the chagrin of my teachers, I completed many homework assignments and school projects while watching reruns of Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and Alias Smith and Jones. I have …
Have you ever had a teacher say or do something that had a huge impact on you for your entire life? I have had many of these opportunities. Some teachers affect you in a negative way. I’ve had my share of those. Most of my teachers had huge, positive impacts on my life. My seventh …
Read more “Episode 221 – Tube Socks, Giants, and a Teacher’s Trust”
I spent 1986-1996 in the Army Band. It was a great learning experience for me. I got to spend three of those years in Japan, serving my country as a saxophonist touring Japan. After a while, I knew army life was not for me. I knew I needed a change. My wife and I discussed …
Have you ever looked into a software management system for your band, one that can help you track inventory, budgets, uniforms, finances, lockers, ensemble lists and more? If so, you know how expensive it can be. Husband and wife team Jennifer (band teacher) and Kris (software developer) have joined forces to create an inexpensive solution …
Read more “Episode 219 – Interview with Jennifer and Kris – Creators of Baton Sync”
The story I shared at The Story Project a couple of years ago. It aired on KRCC in Colorado Springs. This is my recording of that public airing so forgive the poor sound quality. I share funny stories of growing up Italian, including: How garlic permeates everything when you’re Italian Why I speak SO LOUDLY …
Read more “The Story Project – Funny stories of growing up Italian”
You’re going to be gone from school, there are no music subs (or sometimes no subs at all), and you don’t want to leave the students with a written assignment. What do you do? Try the Student Led Rehearsal. I wish I had originally came up with this idea, but like much of what we …
I am proud to be 50% Italian, 40% German, and the rest a hodgepodge of other nationalities that make me the terrific person I am, but ultimately I’m 100% American! My mom – a full blooded Italian Neapolitan (someone from Naples, Italy) – came to America in 1965 to marry an American and enjoy her …
Do you remember the old Four Seasons song Big Girls Don’t Cry? Well they DO cry, and so do boys! I grew up in the era where MOST of the men in my life would tell me to “Stop Crying”. “Men don’t cry,” they would lament. They were wrong! I don’t hold anything against those …
I had a wonderful 9th grade social studies teacher. She taught us how to think. I attended a school that had kids from all over the world! We had white kids, black kids, Filipino kids, Vietnamese kids, Hispanic kids – and those are just the ones I can remember. When it came time to study …
From 2nd through 7th grades, I was bullied by other boys. Mom felt it was always wrong to fight. She would quote Jesus’ admonition to turn the other cheek. Later I realized that verse describes a time when someone insults you. Even Jesus overturned the moneychanger’s tables, and sometimes boys have to defend themselves. One …
Read more “I Was Bullied Throughout School, but in 6th Grade I Became a Bully”
I’ve spent 35+ years working in the field of music,, yet in sixth grade I almost didn’t join band! The choices were to go to choir, drama, art, band or to stay in the room and read. I love reading, so I decided to stay in the room. After about a week of this, it …
There was an emptiness inside of me, a longing, a desire to connect with a Dad. I had a mom who loved me and would do anything for me, but I still felt empty. My mom was best friends with a lady named Gene. Gene was married to George, who was in the US Navy …
Read more “A Secret That No Child Should Ever Have To Keep!”
I didn’t understand we were homeless. It wasn’t the “live on the streets in a box” homeless. We lived with relatives. We lived with friends. Italians are great at putting together a makeshift bed to bring in extra people. We had our own apartment for a time – but we could not afford electricity, so …
Read more “We Were Homeless, But Not “Sleeping Under a Bridge” Homeless”