When I first posted the anecdote below, I was both acknowledging and bemoaning students’ favorite practice strategy: Repetition.

In both my life and teaching, practicing is where it all begins.

I have an embarrassing inability to recognize music that I hear on the radio or playing in the other room.

During the months (years!) that Dennis Alexander and I were working on Repertoire by Rote, we frequently asked colleagues to try out pieces and give us feedback.

This week I have been thinking a lot about the place of rote teaching in my pedagogical life.

Kids are always counting something.

There is an addendum to last week’s post regarding rhythms that I failed to mention.

My students are convinced that the answer to every practice question I ask is “rhythms.”