More than Music Lessons

More than Music Lessons invites contemporary 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 studio. Itprovides a myriad of practical tips and strategies, exploring the themes of parents, practicing, projects, and character.

Merlin B. Thompson is an award-winning music educator, scholar, and pianist with over forty years teaching experience in private studio, music conservatory, and university settings. He has worked with hundreds of music teachers, students, and parents throughout Canada, USA, Australia, Japan, Spain, Great Britain, Brazil, and New Zealand. He is creator of the podcast series The Music Educator's Crucible.

Introduction - Build On and Exercise Chapter 1. Sharing the Journey Student-Centered Teaching Curriculum Models 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