Description
Book SynopsisMerlin B. Thompson invites music studio teachers to link their teaching with notions of humanity and presents a timely vision of bringing student-centered teaching to life in the applied music studio. Filled with a myriad of practical tips and strategies, inspirational ideas, and real-life stories, More than Music Lessons demonstrates how music teachers may thoughtfully build on and exercise what’s already there with students. This means teachers appreciate their students’ sense of self, their personal and world views, their culture, and their spiritual individuality: teachers share rather than direct their students’ musical journeys.
Parents, Practicing, Projects, and Character provide the student-centered framework. Having compassion for parents and the dynamics of students’ family home life is vital. Practicing fulfills our basic needs for autonomy, fluency, relatedness, purpose, and reflection. Non-performance projects bring fresh energy to students’ musical journey and amplify their musical persona. Character—an interweaving of authenticity, calling, soul, life force imprinted from birth—adds depth and integrity to musical explorations. The book features
- A myriad of practical and inspirational tips for vocal and instrumental teachers
- Real-life experiences with students and parents
- Ongoing reflective explorations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Research from the fields of self-determination theory, humanistic psychology, and project-based learning
Table of ContentsIntroduction - Build On and Exercise
Chapter 1. Sharing the Journey
Student-Centered Teaching
Curriculum Styles
Teaching for Inclusion and Diversity
Part One – Parents
Chapter 2. Parents Make A Difference
Family Home Life
Music & Family Home Life
Teachers & Family Home Life
Independence & Ownership
Chapter 3. In the Lesson
Step In, Step Back, Let Go
Diverse Family Needs
Taking Homework Notes
Chapter 4. Meaningful Conversations
Parents & Questions
Acceptable Tension
Parents’ Most Practical Resource
Teachers Letting Go
Opening Doors
FAQs
Part Two – Practicing
Chapter 5. Framework of Basic Human Needs
Chapter 6. Practicing & Autonomy
Assumptions About Autonomy
Language & Gestures
What About Mistakes?
Protecting Students
Homework Notes
Teacher’s Belief in Autonomy
FAQs
Chapter 7. Practicing & Fluency
The Activity Itself
Repetition
Creativity & Challenges
Review & Refinemen
Slow Practice
Immediate & Evolving
FAQs
Chapter 8. Practicing & Purpose
Musicianship & Artistry
Beauty
Caring for Music
Vision of Life
Real Life Stories
FAQs
Chapter 9. Practicing & Relatedness
Teachers & Students
Unconditional Personal Connections
The Power of Smiling
Sense of Humor
Caring Relationships
FAQs
Chapter 10. Practicing & Reflection
Developing Awareness
Questions
Silence
Follow Up
Student Report Cards
Parent Check Ins
Teen Student Reviews
FAQs
Chapter 11. Practicing & Listening
Listening 001 - Internalize
Listening 002 - Inspire
Listening 003 - Share
Further Thoughts
Part Three – Projects
Chapter 12. Non-performance Music Projects
Background
Project-Based Learning
Teacher’s Role
Chapter 13. Giving Voice to Students
Students’ EMC Projects
Junior High Threshold
Amplifying Students’ Musical Persona
FAQs
Part Four - Character
Chapter 14. Imprinted from Birth
My Gallery of Student Portraits
Connecting with Life Skills
Chapter 15. Character & Music Lessons
Exercising Character
Empathy Starters
Talking About Soul
Character Reflections
More Than Music
FAQs
Finale. Our Shared Humanity
Appendix A: Challenges
Appendix B: Parent Letter & Teenager Letter
Appendix C: Everyday Music Connections Projects
Appendix D: Character Cards
Bibliography
