February 17, 2026: Tuesday Upbeat
Teachers: Happy Tuesday!
Teachers Working and Learning Alongside Students
Sometimes we want to prepare something for a student that takes longer than just a few minutes, and wonder how we can do it for them outside their lesson. Did you know that it is not only acceptable, but it is encouraged, that you do this work in your lesson with your student?
It’s true!
All teachers should spend some time working and learning alongside their students, in their lessons. One of the many ways students learn is by watching their teachers work and learn. There are myriad opportunities to work and learn alongside your students. Here are three examples:
Simplify/arrange music. Take a music score that is beyond their present ability, and simplify it by re-notating it, either as an easier arrangement or translating it from notes to letter names. Do this work with them, and/or have them watch you do it, and talk through with them what you are doing.
Add a harmony to a lead sheet. Take a score that has a melody with chords, like a lead sheet or chart, and write out the bass part (either as chords only, or stride style, with a low note and then a chord). Do this work with them, take turns playing it and experimenting to get the sound you like, or they like, and learn as you go.
Transcribe from a YouTube video or music recording. This can be done with the “Synthesia" style videos, or actual transcribing by ear. Work together to get the song or piece notated. If it is challenging, go slow and do just a little bit at a time. Develop your ear as you help your student develop theirs. Do it with them, and encourage them to either help you in some way, or watch while you talk through with them what you are doing. Increase their knowledge, understanding, and skill, while you increase yours.
Many more examples exist and are possible, such as transposing, writing out scale and chord progression exercises, creating practice worksheets for music note reading practice or music theory concepts, working out a duet part or harmony part, memorizing music together, tapping a complex rhythm (you) against a simpler rhythm (student) where both of you are striving to learn your part, playing a secondary instrument you are learning along with them on their primary instrument, etc.
If you feel there is something that you want to learn or get better at, do it! Learn how to do it and get better at it in your lesson with your student!
Despite what you may have been taught, or told, or feel, ignore any and all negativity that might be associated with this idea, and be confident to work and learn alongside your student!
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Have a magical Tuesday, a musical week, and enjoy happy, healthy and tension-free teaching and learning with your students.
Thank you,
Dennis Frayne
"Dr. Dennis"
Laguna Niguel School of Music
Dennis Frayne Music Studios
30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suites 105/107/108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 844-9051 (office cell)
(949) 468-8040 (personal cell)
Lake Forest School of Music
Baker Ranch, CA 92630
(949) 402-7210
www.dennisfraynemusicstudios.com
www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com
www.lakeforestschoolofmusic.com
dfrayne@dennisfrayne.com
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