At this year’s International Trombone Festival, I presented a lecture entitled “Jazz Pedagogy for Classical Repertoire.” In this session, I tried to highlight some of the concepts that I’ve noticed get more emphasis in a “jazz” education than a “classical” education but are equally important in both genres. I had a few requests for my slides, so […]

I am excited to announce that I will be offering a lecture at the upcoming 2018 International Trombone Festival. My presentation will be titled “Jazz Pedagogy for Classical Repertoire.” This is the abstract as it was accepted by the Festival: Current trombone degree plans often specialize in either “jazz” or “classical” repertoire, and require students […]

I have built a new tool for those of us who teach introductory aural training. IntervalQUIZ.com is a free, anonymous, browser-based interval identification practice app. A synthesized piano sound plays two notes (m2 – P8) either ascending or descending and then simultaneously. Students attempt to identify the interval and then receive immediate feedback. In case of […]

Let’s face it: playing an instrument is really, really difficult. Even the “basics” that most people cover in their first year or so are a substantial challenge. Think about it: you have to master a new set of physical skills, including precise control of muscles you might not have even known were voluntary. You have to become […]