One teacher at the Kansas City workshop in November asked me this question on a comment card. I think this is a great question since at several points in my Composition for Kids lecture, I mention that I encourage doodling. […]
Question #6 – How Do You Deal with Constant Doodling? Read More »
If you have heard the Composition for Kids lecture, you have heard about the Theme and Variations challenge that I have suggested to “encourage creativity.” This last month, I challenged the students in my studio to create their own variation
Jingle Bells Variations Read More »
You’ve heard me say before that the two areas I see student composers struggling with the most are melody and form. One teacher at the Composition for Kids lecture I gave in KC this week asked the following question: How
Question #5 – Teaching Form to Composition Students Read More »
This will be an ongoing series consisting of questions that I have received after giving the Composition for Kids lecture. The first three questions came from members of KMTA this summer. They included: When do you have your students first
Question #4 Students Getting Published Read More »
Thank you to all the Kansas City teachers who came to the workshop I gave today. Here is more information and links to many of the things that I have referenced: 1. Here is Carol Klose’s inspiring quote, along with more of what
Kansas City Lecture Follow up Read More »
Bradley Sowash, an excellent jazz musician and educator, was one of the composers that corresponded with me this summer about teaching composition to kids. Bradley shared with me that he thought specific assignments with specific parameters were helpful in working
Composition Idea from Bradley Sowash Read More »
When I interviewed many prominent pedagogical composers on teaching composition to children, several of them had some wonderful things to say. I thought I’d share one of the quotes from our correspondence: I feel strongly that piano teachers should encourage their
Carol Klose on Students Composing Read More »
In the Composition for Kids lecture, I mentioned having a “Theme and Variations Challenge” to encourage students to compose. In my studio, we are currently having a “Theme and Variations Challenge” to the Christmas tune, Jingle Bells. Last week in our group
Theme and Variations Challenge Read More »
If you are a student composer 0r a teacher of piano students, you will want to take advantage of this great opportunity to submit interview questions to a living composer! Kevin Costley, a wonderful composer published by FJH, has graciously agreed to
Your Chance to Interview Kevin Costley Read More »
I’ve been fascinated by a new blog by Elissa Milne lately. One of her most recent posts, Scales as a Form of Propoganda, Elissa asks what musical value comes from having our students learn scales. Of course, we often cite
Tools for Composing: Moving Scales Out of the 18th Century Read More »
The Great Fuzzy Event of 2026!
You will not believe what we released at this premier event! Four new Fuzzies solos, a new and FREE incentive program, summer ideas, new resources and so much more! Even the replay is super fun!
