Blog by Merlin B. Thompson

It's January 2025: a timely moment to consider how music teachers guide our students’ musical development. This year, I’m inspired by a remarkable trio of life skills: persistence, excellence, and reflection. It’s amazing to consider how these three qualities play fundamental roles in our students’ ...

In two previous blogs, I began a three-part exploration of Universal Technique - the idea that there are fundamental components across vocal and instrumental musical development. Firstly I took a look at "the core". Secondly it was "breath". Now it's time for the final element - ...

In my previous blog, I began a three-part exploration of Universal Technique - the idea that there are fundamental components across vocal and instrumental musical development. Last time it was "the core". Now it's time to take a look at the second element. Can you figure out what it is?

As a vocal or instrumental music teacher, I suspect you’ve already got a fairly concrete list of technical aspects that you want to pass on to your students. You pay close attention to various factors that assist students with producing beautiful tone, developing technical ease, and promoting musica...

We all know that our students’ musical futures are shaped by what we do today. Through countless conversations and explorations, we help students acquire the mindset, tools, strategies, and knowledge to pursue their own musical futures. Which brings me to these questions - How do the activities you ...

Have you ever had a week of teaching that really made you stop and think - What’s going on? Why is this happening? Most likely you have. So you won’t be surprised if I tell you that last week was one of those weeks when I realized a group of my students had been stuck on a plateau for quite some tim...

The first conversation between music teachers and parents can be the spark that ignites a lifelong passion for music making - or the moment that parents decide music lessons may not be for their child. Responding to parents’ initial inquiry into music lessons can be challenging especially when paren...

Music teacher wellbeing is a topic that doesn’t seem to come up all that often in teacher discussion groups. And when it does, factors like regular physical exercise, balanced diet, and adequate sleep take center stage. But these factors only tell part of the story. There’s another element important...

These days I’ve been thinking music studio teaching really is a complex undertaking that requires a unique blend of creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence from music teachers. Each day brings new challenges—some within our control, like passing on musical skills and knowledge, and othe...

Take a look at this scenario - Angie is a 12-year-old voice student whose family recently moved to your city. Angie has had several years of voice lessons, has completed several levels of voice studies, and is an accomplished performer. Her parents are eager to for her to continue her musical journe...

It’s the end of summer. Music lessons are resuming. And music teachers everywhere are thinking about how to help students following their summer break.

With September just around the corner, it’s time we start thinking about how to set the tone for a fantastic year of music making! Writing an introductory letter to our students’ parents is a great way to share our enthusiasm for teaching, outline our plans, and create a collaborative s...

Welcome back to "Working With Parents". In Parts 1 and 2, we took a look at past parent/teacher interactions and recent research into parental involvement. For Part 3, let's weave all this information together and consider - How can music teachers and parents work together given the many l...

Welcome back to "Working With Parents". In Part 1, we took a look at past interactions between music teachers and parents. For Part 2, it's time to take a look at what recent research has to say about parental involvement in their children's musical journey.

Every where I go - it seems music teachers have questions about parental involvement. Should music teachers require parents to attend their child’s music lessons? Is it advantageous for music teachers to require parents to monitor their child’s practicing at home? How much should parents be involved...

How often do you think your students spend time with their favourite Chill Out piece? Once in a while? Every now and then? All the time? Whenever it’s convenient? Never - they don’t have any Chill Out pieces. 

Have you ever thought about the cycle of Growth and Rest in learning/teaching how to sing or play a musical instrument? Mother Nature reminds us that Growth and Rest always work together. After a day of Growth, we’ve got nighttime as a very much needed period of Rest. Or consider the seasons - ...

Do your students ever get frustrated during their lessons? Have you ever had the following situation? The student repeatedly returns to the beginning of the piece, starting over again and again in order to create sufficient momentum to make it through the unwieldy challenges in bar 3. Finally, after...