10 Min Tips to Teach Music

EP: #46:Classroom Strategies - The Round Table Conference

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +1000

Podcast #46: Classroom Strategies - The Round Table Conference

10 Minute Tips to Teach Music

Epic Change starts with your environment. The thing is, your environment can influence your mood, behaviour, motivation, interactions with people, and stress levels.

Sometimes we get a little sick of the day to day life in classes. So, why not shake things up a little with the "Round Table Conference". I love using this particular classroom strategy and it is so simple. Take a listen and see how I use this simple tool.

EP#45: Classroom Strategies - Class Starters

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +1000

Podcast #45: Class Starter Ideas - 10 Minute Tips to Teach Music

Epic Change starts with your environment. The thing is, your environment can influence your mood, behaviour, motivation, interactions with people, and stress levels.

We all know how difficult it can be to engage our students on a daily basis. How you start your lesson will affect the lesson experience. Today I will talk about the different ways you can start a class. Here are my top 5 and the reasons why I use them. Today's Take Away

EP#44: Part 8: Putting It All Together.

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 09:00:00 +1000

Podcast #44: Part 8: Putting it all together.

10 Minute Tips to Teach Music

Epic Change starts with your environment. The thing is, your environment can influence your mood, behaviour, motivation, interactions with people, and stress levels.

So in this podcast, I tie up all the loose ends. I discuss a 5 year plan in action and provide you with a sample to take away. shorturl.at/aqwLQ

Ep#43: Part 7: What are your ”3 to Thrive”?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 10:43:20 +1000

Podcast #43: Part 7: Three to Thrive

Welcome to Season 4 of 10 Minute Tips to Teach Music

Epic Change starts with your environment. The thing is, your environment can influence your mood, behaviour, motivation, interactions with people, and stress levels.

So in this podcast, I talk about how to find your “Three to Thrive”. Now I didn’t develop this term. It’s a Tony Robbins thing but I use it every term. What are the top three things on your capture list that are going to make the most impact? Take a listen and hear practical tips to help you with epic change. Link to free support: shorturl.at/akR45

EP#42: Dream Big: Part 6 - The Capture List

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 15:05:03 +1000

Epic Change starts with your environment. The thing is, your environment can influence your mood, behaviour, motivation, interactions with people, and stress levels.

As Adults, we know this and we are very conscious of our environment particularly at home. So why should our classrooms be any different. Join me as I discuss Stage 2 of your 5 Year Plan toward Epic Change.

Some of the key talking points include:

Flexible teaching spaces and how best to manage the clutter
Tips on how best to organise your rooms
What is a Capture List?
How to break down the "mountain" the capture list creates
How to build your overall package of change

Click here for Podcast notes

To check out the post and give away attached to this episode, go to: Klerrisa Custom Music

EP41: Dream Big: Part 5: The Situational Analysis

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Welcome to Episode 41 of 10 Min Tips to Teach Music.

So far you have learned that if you want to "Build the Music Department of Your Dreams", it all starts with YOU.

You and your teams strengths
Your departments culture
Your departments pillars of focus
Your ability to motivate and flip your "middle child"
Your teams desire to STAND OUT!

I know what you are thinking - so this is all great stuff but now what? Well, this is where we start to put words into action. It's time to create your 5 year plan. That's right! I am going to show you how to write a 5 year plan. In this episode, I talk about the advantages of creating a five year plan. I explain what a "situational analysis" is and how this can help you to get a clear perspective on your future goals. I also offer you a copy of a "Situational Analysis" template that you can use to help guide you through the first stages of your 5 year plan.

So strap yourself in and get ready for an awesome ride.

EP 40: Dream Big: Part 4: Time to Stand Out!

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +1000

Hey everyone, this is the fourth episode of "How to Build the Music Department of Your Dreams". In this episode, I discuss how to "stand out". "Standing out" is a key ingredient in the development of your department. You need to do things differently and make sure people notice what your team does. I talk about different samples of how to stand out and offer tips that might be of use to you during your transformation.

EP: 39 - Dream Big: Part 3 - Did you know your music department has a middle child?

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +1000

Did you know that Music Departments have a "middle child" and that this is key to growing your department? In the third instalment of "How to Build the Music Department of Your Dreams", I discuss how you can actively engage that middle child to help build numbers in your music department elective stream.

EP 38: Dream Big: Part 2 - Time to develop a culture.

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +1000

Hey gang, Today's podcast continues with the series, "How to Build The Music Department of YOUR Dreams". In episode 2, I chat about how the culture of your department can help you to build the numbers involved. What are YOUR three pillars of success? How do they contribute to your overall vision?

To help guide you in your thinking, I have prepared a google form which asks you some questions. This should help clarify your thinking.

https://forms.gle/jC67RqmUQAiadpLZ7

EP 37: Dream Big: Part 1: It’s all about YOU!

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +1000

In today's podcast, I share with you the first episode of a six part series discussing "How to Create the Music Department of Your Dreams". In the first of four episodes, I talk about how YOUR personality and YOUR strengths can greatly affect YOUR music department and how people view what goes on. I give you the opportunity to find out your own Enneagram Number and what your top 5 strengths might be.

To get the giveaway, go to: https://bit.ly/2rmLIkO

EP 36: Innovative way to teach Sharp Key Signatures

Sun, 15 Mar 2020 14:30:00 +1000

Well, I had a brain wave in class this week and I am so excited to share. I was teaching my Year 9 class about key signatures and found this incredibly cool way for the students to remember. It has a lot to do with the number 5 and the way you draw the letters. There is even a video showing you how to teach it.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/bqN2hu7SrRM

EP 35: What are your strengths and how can they help you in the Music Classroom.

Sun, 08 Mar 2020 13:50:21 +1000

In this episode, I discuss the enneagram and your strengths. I talk about how these two tests can help you to understand yourself, and therefore make you more productive, engaging with your students and a valuable part of the team. I tell stories about specific cases and how this information has empowered others.

If you want to take the Strengths test: https://high5test.com?ref=10

If you want to take the Enneagram: https://www.truity.com/?an=kerri_827920

[Full Disclosure: These links are affiliate link and I will only receive compensation if you purchase through this link.]

EP 34: APP Review: Incredibox

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 21:00:00 +1000

During this podcast, I chat about the app Incredibox. I offer a breakdown of each version with a list of different strategies to work it into your classroom. For support materials, go to www.klerrisaucustommusic.com.au

EP 33: Carousel teaching - how to implement in one classroom.

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 21:00:00 +1000

Carousel Teaching - what on earth is it? In its simplest form, it is a cooperative learning strategy that involves movement, discussion and reflection. It is a bit like Gallery Walk (as named by Shelley Gray) where students work on their own to complete a series of tasks around the room or school environment. In a Carousel, they work in small groups and move from station to station. This podcast looks at strategies to use in a single classroom following this model. For support materials, go to www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

P 32: QR codes and logging systems

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 21:00:00 +1000

Well today I want to talk about QR codes and how they can be useful in a number of areas. For supporting documentation, go to www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 31: Cycles of Learning

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 21:00:00 +1000

In the year I was born, 1967, Kraplus and Thier developed something they called the Learning Cycle. It was for the Science Curriculum Improvement Study. It was an inquiry based teaching approach that had 3 phases: Exploration, concept introduction and concept application. The idea was to explore the current situation, introduce the central concept and then apply the skill set. A lot like music classes - we teach a concept and then apply it to the skill set.

Since 1967, many different variations of this idea have been developed, all with the same idea - explore before introduction and application. A popular version of the Learning Cycle is the 5-E model--Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate (Bybee, 1997). This model adds Engage and Evaluate to bookend the process. Again a lot like music classes. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

For podcast support, go to: http://www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 30: Paperless Processes

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 21:00:00 +1000

All teachers struggle with the dreaded “paper processes”. We have so many processes in our day to day life that trying to streamline can be quite scary. What if you miss something in the change over? That could prove to be catastrophic. So where does one start to become “paperless”. Well first of all, I truly don’t think you will ever be paperless but you can definitely reduce your reliance on some things to make life a little more streamlined. I am, and will always be, that teacher who has lists, but I don’t have to have heaps of post it notes around the place. So where did I start? Find out more in this episode.

For the podcast support information, go to http://www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 29: How to plan for an ensemble

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 21:00:00 +1000

Let’s face it, extra curricular ensembles are part and parcel of the Music Department in most schools. More often than not, teachers take on these ensembles out of the goodness of their hearts, with very little support. Some of us are fortunate and may receive a couple of periods a week to help with planning and preparation but most of us don’t get that much help. This week I would like to talk about the challenges of creating an ensemble, be it vocal or instrumental, and some of the strategies to ensure you are providing a development plan which also incorporates growth.

For the Podcast support, go to: http://www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 28: How to Build Numbers in a Comprehensive High School Music Classroom

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 21:00:00 +1000

The high school music classroom can be quite challenging. Each type of school structure comes with their challenges. There are some structures where music is only taught for 3 or 6 months in the year. There are other structures where music is taught all year but only once a week. Both have their success and their challenges. This week I would like to talk about the challenges of the mandatory structure and how to engage the stage 4 (years 7 and 8) to continue through to stage 5 (elective years 9 and 10) and then onto stage 6 (years 11 and 12).

For podcast notes, go to: www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 27: Starters for Music Classes

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 21:00:00 +1000

This video explains a couple of different ways that you could start your music classes. It covers the countdown screen, time trials, The PB and what do you remember. To find the support materials, go to: www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

Ep 26: How to organise musical material

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 09:00:00 +1000

In today's podcast, I talk about how to organise Once you have your ideas, whether that be a set of core material, some chords, a structural plan, you still need to organise the ideas. In today's podcast I talk about different strategies and ideas on how to organise the material you have created. If you would like to obtain your copy of the concepts talked about in this podcast, head on over to the Access Area.

EP 25: How to develop a musical idea

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 09:00:00 +1000

In today’s podcast, I am going to expand on last weeks podcast where I offered some ideas on how to get started with the Core Composition. This week I will look further at the different focus areas and offer some tips for getting started. To get your copy of the list of starters, head on over to the Access Area.

EP 24: How to start the core composition

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 09:00:00 +1000

In today's podcast I start a 3 part series about the Core Composition - a component of the NSW HSC Music 2 Course. Whilst there is a specific focus for this podcast, it will help anyone wanting to offer students a way to start composing. The Core Composition for Music 2 is not difficult...not really. What makes it appear difficult is that students are not really sure how to start. The thing is, they don't realise, but they have already started when they start looking at scores written by Australian Composers in the last 25 years. If you frame it right, it becomes a much easier and much more enjoyable task.

To read my tips and tricks, head on over to the Access Area.

EP 23: Composing Music of the last 25 years.

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 09:00:00 +1000

In today's podcast, I take a look at the Core Composition Project for Music 2 students in the NSW HSC Course. I discuss different musical concepts you might like to consider before starting this project and I offer some free samples from my Music 1 Composition Portfolio. This is more suited for student and teachers.

To access the samples, go to: For more tips, check out www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 22: Not Negotiable Planning Explained

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 09:00:00 +1000

Ever wondered how incredibly busy and productive people seem to have it all. They can get things done, go out with their friends and still have time to do the washing. Well a "Not Negotiable Plan" is the best way to achieve this. This podcast explains how it works, how it can help you and your students and more importantly, why. On my YouTube Channel there is a 3 part video series showing you how to execute this fantastic plan. For more tips and tricks, check out www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 21: How to Set Up a Google Site

Fri, 12 Jan 2018 09:00:00 +1000

In this podcast I review the new google sites platform and how it can best be used for student portfolios. There is a supporting video on my YouTube Channel. For more fantastic resources for Music Teachers go to www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 20: How to Create an Ensemble Development Plan.

Sat, 02 Dec 2017 23:27:24 +1000

In this episode of 10 Min Tips to Teach Music, I talk to teachers about how to create an ensemble development plan. Whether it be instrumental or vocal, a development plan can really help you and the students to focus on specific goals and targets throughout the year. In the podcast, I chat about the groups I currently run and how I have built them into the ensembles that they are today. Ensembles that are a beacon in the schools publicity to the wider community. Ensembles that allow the students to mature and grow musically and more importantly, ensembles that offer the students pride in themselves and the team they choose to be a part of.

EP 19: The Russian 5

Fri, 17 Nov 2017 16:28:52 +1000

This Podcast features the audio from a support video for the first of a series of Ebooks created by Klerrisa Custom Music called "The Nationalists". The podcast talks about the Russian 5 however, the ebook features the music of 5 composers, with the activities being based on score reading and analytical skills. This Ebook features one work by each of the five composers – Sibelius, Ives, Bartok, Janacek and Prokofiev. This is perfect for those studying the HSC Additional Topic of Music from 1900 – 1945. This is perfect for a flipped classroom or for independent study. Access to the internet is essential. To review the resource, go to http://www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 18: My top 5 online resources

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 16:06:16 +1000

Hey Guys

I have had a few people contact me asking for some assistance with online sources. So that has sparked me into creating my top 5 online resources and putting it in this weeks podcast. I figure, if one person is interested, then others might be.

I created a youtube video showing you the online locations for those that are visual. Just head on over to my youtube channel. For those that just want the links, you can find them on the website.

EP: 17 What is Unity in Music? - Part 2

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 15:28:55 +1000

Unity in music seems like an easy topic to address but there might be something in this podcast that you might not have thought about. I use one of Beethoven's String Quartet to help demonstrate how unity is used in very simple terms. This is a great little resource for you to use in Years 7 through to 12. To access the PDF, head on over to http://www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au/access-area/

EP 16: Contrast Vs Unity Vs Variety - Part 1

Sat, 28 Oct 2017 12:30:41 +1000

This week's podcast is just a little taste test of how to distinguish between Contrast, Variety and Unity. All three words are slightly different and students need to be trained in how best to manipulate the information that they might have. Next week I am going to expand on this and show you how you can ID specifics from a score or a recording, and create responses that are slightly different depending on the use of contrast, variety or unity. Check out the supporting document at www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au/latest-news

EP 15: Flipping the Rite of Spring

Sun, 22 Oct 2017 11:11:54 +1000

This week on 10 Min Tips to Teach Music, I got through the process I use to teach the Rite of Spring by Stravinsky. I flip this in my classroom and if you are new to flipping, it might be of interest. Fiipping allows you more time to focus on higher order thinking skills through discussion and analysis. It also offers the student the opportunity to understand at their own pace and feel that they are in charge of their own education. In the Access Area, you will find the resources I talk about in the podcast.

EP 14: 2016 HSC Music 2 Exam with Strategies for all

Sat, 14 Oct 2017 23:21:02 +1000

This week on 10 Minute Tips to Teach Music, I look at the 2016 HSC Music 2 Exam Paper. I go through each question, looking at strategies to answer the questions. I also discuss how you can use these questions for years 7 to 12 regardless of where you are in the world. I offer free access to the PDF document that has the links for the exam and the audio files I was able to find online, as well as a list of the questions and the strategies discussed. Check it out. It is certainly a document you are going to want to get your hands on.

For the PDF, go to http://www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au/access-area/

EP 13: Sightsinging for Stubborn Seniors

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 15:59:51 +1000

I am sure you, like me, have that one student who doesn't think they can sight sing. They dig their heels in and just plainly refuse to give it a go. I have spent the last two years developing a weekly strategy that will help those students. My senior students come into class not having had a history of singing. They might do a little in their elective classes but generally there will be one or two who are "instrumentalists that don't sing!". You know the type. Well, I have a system that is painless, easy and makes perfect sense when taken from the perspective of the instrumental student. This weeks podcast introduces you to the first stage and explains how I go about teaching sight singing to stubborn seniors. In the coming weeks, I will be releasing other elements of this strategy to help you and your students see success in this area. http://www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 12: Call to Action: What do you think?

Sun, 24 Sep 2017 16:43:33 +1000

Hey all, Welcome to nearly the end of the first month of spring. This is a great time for me to reflect and review my business. This weeks podcast is a call to action. I am sure you have heard this term before. Well, I firmly believe in listening to my customers. I am here not only to educate my students and my colleagues, but to also educate myself. I learn so much in the course of a day, that it is so cool when I get to share it. So, I need you guys to tell me what you want to know. The form will only take 2 minutes to fill out but it will help me immensely to know what you need of me. It might seem really insignificant to you, and you might think that everyone already knows this stuff. That is why I have created a google form for you to use. This way, you can tell me anything that you might need help with, without the criticism that seems to happen sometimes on social media. Just click on the link and know that I will help: https://goo.gl/YYGgLL

EP 11: It's Nearly Holidays - It's time to refocus.

Sat, 16 Sep 2017 16:43:38 +1000

For those of us in Australia, some are on holidays and some have a week to go. This week's episode focuses on "refocus". There are a number of people that are tired, and just need a little pick me up. This one is for you. I also touch on critical thinking and offer some tips for your classroom. Head on over to the website for the PDF: http://www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au/ep-11-its-time-to-refocus/

EP 10: Musical mastery and learning styles

Sun, 10 Sep 2017 20:23:25 +1000

Thanks to everyone for listening. We are celebrating with podcast no 10. In this podcast, I take a little diversion from musical concepts and have a chat about musical mastery and how learning styles can help. Don't forget to check out the webiste for the support for this podcast. www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au/latestnews

This week is the first of the HSC performances for the Sydney teachers. Boy, do I know how you feel. My team had their exam on Wednesday and our Music 1 kids were on Friday. And believe it or not, I recorded this podcast in the car on my way to the Music 1 exam. Now, do understand that I have a new car that can allow me to do this so please do not judge. This week I have been time poor!! Regardless, this week's podcast is all about musical mastery and how learning styles can help you to guide your students to the final goal. To support this podcast, I have put together a series of links to some online resources that I have found to be useful. I have absolutely no affiliation with any of these links. They are just places that I have found to be really useful. Enjoy!!!

The Three Different Learning Styles What is your predominant learning style? What's Your Learning Style? VAK Learning Style Self Assessment Questionnaire.

EP 9: What is a Texture Graph?

Sat, 02 Sep 2017 21:49:17 +1000

I have had many people over the years ask me to demonstrate a Texture Graph. This is a tool that is really helpful when you are trying to remember the music you have just listened to. This podcast explains what it is and how it can be useful. For a full video, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69asqUA8Rek

EP 8: How to ID Core Material in Musical Scores

Sat, 26 Aug 2017 12:40:17 +1000

Well this week is designed to help any student who is looking at a score for the first time and perhaps, they aren't really sure how to analyse it. I always start with the Core Material. Identifying the core material will help you to see what the initial ideas are and how they are developed or manipulated. This week, I use "Confutatis" from Mozart's Requiem as a sample. I would like to thank Geru's Music Library for taking the time to create the scrolling score with the excerpts from the film "Amadeus". It is so good for the kids to be able to focus on this particular sequence. It is such a good analytical sequence. http://www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au/latest-news/

EP 7: What does treatment of melodic material really mean?

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 17:11:43 +1000

In this week's podcast, I discuss the word "treatment". I also talk about "core material" and specifically core "melodic" material and align it with a work by Debussy - Voiles. There is a great PDF at www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au/latest-news/

EP 6: Analyse vs Compare - Class activity

Sun, 13 Aug 2017 18:21:01 +1000

Hey all, Welcome to Episode 6 of my podcast. This week I share a class activity that I used with one of may classes. This task was using two pieces from Mussorgsky's Pictures at An Exhibition. One group did analyse and the other group did compare. I talk about what I did in the class and how the students reacted with the activity. I have also provided the templates for the activity. I have the PDF and the Google Docs for those that would find this useful. I ask that if you use these documents, please retain the copyright.

If you do, please leave a comment, follow the podcast (iTunes), subscribe to the YouTube channel or like me on Facebook and leave a review.

EP 5: What is Contrast in Music?

Sat, 05 Aug 2017 20:49:11 +1000

Hi guys, Welcome to Episode 5. So far, the podcast is going well. People seem to really like it and are grateful for the support material. As I said last week, this podcast is about Contrast. My students seem to struggle a little with the differences between contrast, unity and variety. So I thought I would talk a little about contrast. In the PDF this week I have placed an explanation, a sample question response, some links to pieces of music that use contrast, sample score and then a list of the concepts with some things that might contain contrasting elements. I do hope you find it helpful. If you do, please leave a comment, follow the podcast (currently available in the US iTunes), subscribe to the YouTube channel or like me on Facebook and leave a review.

EP 4: Music from 1900 - 1945

Sat, 29 Jul 2017 14:19:08 +1000

Hey guys, Welcome to Week 4 of my podcast. This week I talk about Music from 1900 - 1945, focussing on the musical elements of the time along with many composers. I even offer another little tip with answer aural questions. For the PDF go to: Klerrisa Custom Music Latest News.

EP 3: HSC Music 2 Tip - Key words and assumed knowledge

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 19:29:13 +1000

Hey guys, Welcome to week 3 of the podcast. In this week's lesson, I am going to talk about the HSC style questions and give you tips on how your assumed knowledge and understanding of key words, can help you in creating a wizz bang answer. There are six great tips explained in this podcast, linking to the sample HSC Question. For support go to www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au

EP 2: Chord qualities on a major scale

Sat, 15 Jul 2017 11:15:43 +1000

In Episode 2, I explain a process to help students work out chords attached to a major scale.

A PDF supporting this video can be found at: http://www.klerrisacustommusic.com.au/latest-news/

A video showing you the process can be found on my channel: https://youtu.be/QI3yUbDBS3E

EP 1: Naming Chords and Quickly ID Key Signatures

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 15:24:10 +1000

This introductory Podcast talks about who the podcast is for, what it hopes to achieve and how you can access the latest support materials. In this episode, you will be able to How To Name Chords and How to quickly ID Key Signatures.