
Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band
Quick and easy tips to help you be a better band teacher.
Latest episodes

Apr 22, 2020 • 9min
Episdoe 156A - 4 Things to Avoid (replay of Ep 13)
www.jamesdivine.net

Apr 8, 2020 • 6min
Episode 155 - A Method for Teaching Students How to Practice Difficult Passages
There are so many ways to teach kids how to practice. In a Title I school where almost nobody practices at home, this is a method I have found successful with my students. If you like the podcast, consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/themusicedpodcast www.jamesdivine.net

Apr 3, 2020 • 51sec
Special Episode
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Apr 1, 2020 • 6min
Episode 154 - 8 Tips to Add Spice to Your Rehearsal
We can always make our rehearsals more interesting by adding some spiciness to them! What makes Italian food delicious is having the right spices in the right amounts. Check out these eight ideas. Incorporate some or all of them over several weeks, and if you like the podcast, consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/themusicedpodcast. www.jamesdivine.net

Mar 11, 2020 • 4min
Episode 153 - Make Lesson Planning Easier
A quick and easy tip to make lesson planning easier as a music teacher. www.patreon.com/themusicedpodcast www.jamesdivine.net

Feb 19, 2020 • 16min
Episode 152: How Music Saved My Life; James' story
This episode is a little different. In this podcast, I'm sharing a presentation I made on The Story Project, a show similar to The Moth for those who have heard that on NPR. In the presentation, I use my 100 year old saxophone to tell the story of how music saved my life (specifically teachers). Playing the saxophone was life-changing for me! Listen all the way to the end and you can get the code to receive a free digital copy of my book that tells my story in more depth. You can also see the live video of the Story Project by visiting www.jamesdivine.net. What you do as teachers makes a difference! www.jamesdivine.net

Feb 5, 2020 • 37min
Episode 151 - Making More Music by Managing Administrative Mayhem
In this episode, I interview Wendy Reeves, band director at Sells Middle School. Wendy shares tips with us on how to reduce the amount of time spent on paperwork, classroom management, equipment, travel, and more, so we can devote time to what we really enjoy – teaching music! You’ll find several tips you can immediately incorporate into your teaching right now. Wendy has graciously shared her materials. Click HERE for a link to her website where you can get her entire 90 minute presentation on powerpoint, as well as downloads of handouts and more information. Wendy is a member of the American School Band Director’s Association as well as Women Band Directors International. Like the podcast? Share it with others and support us on patreon. www.jamesdivine.net

Jan 29, 2020 • 16min
Episode 150 - Top 13 Mistakes New Directors Make
I have made ALL of these mistakes - and MORE. You can learn from me and others and move ahead in your career faster. Support the podcast here www.jamesdivine.net

Jan 22, 2020 • 8min
Episode 149 - 7 Strategies for Working with a Small Jazz Band
If you have a basic rhythm section - a good bass player and set player at minimum - you can make almost any combination of instruments work for a jazz band. These 7 strategies will provide you with additional resources you can use. Jamey Aebersold Jazz Play-Alongs Custom Backing Tracks Support the Podcast www.jamesdivine.net

Jan 15, 2020 • 9min
Episode 148 - 4 Tips to Help Your Band Sound Their Best
The longer I teach - 22 years and counting - the more time I spend on fundamentals. You may be surprised at just how much time! Like the podcast? Become a patron, get free gifts and support us at www.patreon.com/themusicedpodcast Here's the link to the Student Led Rehearsal episode mentioned in the podcast: https://www.jamesdivine.net/2017/01/18/episode-75-student-led-rehearsal/ www.jamesdivine.net