The F-flat Books Blog is a community-run blog exploring a variety of topics in music teaching and learning.
Browse posts by category or check out the most recent posts below.
The Asterisk: Representation and Diversifying Visual Aids
Welcome to The Asterisk*, a new regular column where we’ll chat about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in music education. An asterisk's function is to quickly give readers a baseline of knowledge so the reader can dive into content. This column aims to introduce or refresh deia concepts in a judgment-free space and provide ideas for incorporating deia principles into your teaching practice. Today’s Topic: Representation (Part 1) Representation in schools means that students can see themselves in their teachers, administrators, and curriculum. Although usually centered on racial [...]
Musicast Episode 16: Margaret Harrigan- The Importance of Music Play
Elementary music teacher and research Maggie Harrigan sits down with Marissa and Kevin to discuss this importance of music play in the elementary music classroom. She gives advice for where to start, resources to to turn to, and how to incorporate it into your classroom! [...]
Research to Practice: Informal Music Teaching
Action research is a great way to break into thinking about ways to improve what you teach, how you teach, and how students learn. I would even go as far as to suggest that most teachers are already doing this in their classrooms. Action research doesn’t have to be formal or fancy. It just starts with a spark of wonder or an idea. [...]
Musicast Episode 15: F-flat Family Chat- Engagement and Motivation of ALL Students
This week, Marissa and Kevin welcome F-flat family members Sarah Gulish and Chelsea Dehner to the chat to discuss a tricky topic: motivation. In this context, the group refers to a guitar class that attracts students of all ability levels. [...]
Musicast Episode 14: Musicast Meetup Year in Review- Reflect Behind to Look Ahead
Marissa and Kevin chat together and reflect on the school year so far and set goals for the remainder of their teaching year. Read more here! [...]
From Self-Published to Oxford
I am passionate about music education, specifically Popular Music Education, Creativity, and Informal Learning. So passionate, in fact, that I have written two books under my own publishing company, Steve's Music Room Publishing, and have been commissioned for a third through the Oxford University Press--yes, that Oxford University Press. I had always dreamed of someday writing a book about something. When I was a kid, I would write video game manuals and different things for fun (I know, weird). I am sure many other people have this dream [...]
Musicast Episode 13: Abbie Van Klompenberg- Trauma-Informed Teaching
A PhD student from the University of Kentucky, Abbie Van Klompenberg, joins Kevin and Marissa for a conversation about trauma-informed teaching! As we return from break with the first episode of the new year, this is a wonderful reminder for teachers of any grade. [...]
Growing Young Professionals: Contracts
For this installment of Growing Young Professionals, we will discuss contracts with none other than Dr. Jenny Neff, Associate Professor of Music Education and Director of the MM in Music Education & Summer Music Studies Program at the University of the Arts. So, what are contracts? Most people sign contracts all of the time, even if they do not realize it. Checked to agree with the terms and conditions? That’s a contract! Signed a lease? That’s a contract! Took out a line of credit? Surprise, another contract! Contracts [...]
Research to Practice: Pivoting from the Status Quo
Conducting research often can seem like falling down a rabbit hole. One study answers initial questions, the analysis and implications lead to more questions…lather, rinse, and repeat for forever. This research is the embodiment of using one research study as the basis for another. [...]
Musicast Episode 12: Gold Revere- Success Through Remote Music Production
Gold Revere, an up and coming hip hop duo, talk with Kevin and Marissa about their music education, inspiration, music production process, and new EP! [...]
Musicast Episode 11: Dr. Christopher Azzara
Dr. Christopher Azzara, Professor at the Eastman School of Music, talks about his work as a teacher, jazz pianist, and researcher with the Musicast Duo! [...]
The New Normal: Starting a Job During a Pandemic
I started a new job this fall at Boston University and I love it. I am an Assistant Professor of Music (Music Education). My job is mostly to work with graduate students on interesting, challenging topics and publish research in my area of expertise. Basically, my dream job (after International Rock Star, for which there is no application process anyway, and to which I came as close as I ever will this past summer when I played on another obscure album with my best friend in the world, [...]