Tech Tip – Basic Video Editing
If you have a video of a student performance, here are a few tips for cleaning up the video with basic editors on your phone ...
- Level: Beginner
Tech Tip – Building a Chart
Using the free graphics on Jam Zone, you can make custom charts for all the songs your students want to learn! Build Your Own Charts
- Level: Beginner
Tech Tip – Making a Play-Along
Play-alongs are great teaching tool to help students stay on beat, hear chord changes, and find their place when they get lost. This video shows ...
- Level: Beginner
Tech Tip – Transpose Google Extension
- Level: Beginner
Nunca Es Suficiente by Natalia Lafourcade – The Breakdown for Modern Band
In this episode of The Breakdown for Modern Band, Tony gives lots of tips for playing Cumbia music with your band! Check out the chart for ...
- Level: Advanced
Full Band Scaffolding in the Style of “Juice” by Lizzo
Looking to get students with different levels of experience playing the same song? Looking to show students the next level of performance? This video shows ...
- Level: Advanced
Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper – The Breakdown for Modern Band:
In this edition of the Breakdown for Modern Band, Scott shows how Shallow uses changing instrumentation to build and tell a story. He also gives ...
Lucid Dreams by Juice WRLD – The Breakdown for Modern Band:
Kenrick breaks down how Juice WRLD used a sample from a song by Sting to create the backing track for his hit Lucid Dreams. He ...
Trip by Ella Mai – The Breakdown for Modern Band
Mary breaks down this R&B hit from rising star Ella Mai. She gives tips on scaffolding, arranging, and composition. And be sure to check out the ...
- Level: Beginner
High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco- The Breakdown for Modern Band
In this edition of the Breakdown for Modern Band, we dive into "High Hopes" by Panic! At The Disco. Spencer shares ideas for arranging horn ...
- Level: Beginner
What About Us? by Pink – The Breakdown for Modern Band
Tony gives some great insight on how to approximate the electronic sounds you hear in recordings onto the instruments you have available! Check out the chart ...
Pray For Me by The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar (Garageband Version) -The Breakdown for Modern Band
Using the Garageband program on a Macbook, Spencer breaks down how to find and play a variety of the different electronic instrument sounds from the ...
Pray For Me by The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar (Soundtrap Version) -The Breakdown for Modern Band
Using the software on Soundtrap.com, Spencer breaks down how to find and play a variety of the different electronic instrument sounds from the song "Pray ...
Pray For Me by The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar (iPad Version) -The Breakdown for Modern Band
Using the Garageband app on an iPad, Spencer breaks down how to find and play a variety of the different electronic instrument sounds from the ...
God’s Plan by Drake – The Breakdown for Modern Band
Kenrick breaks down how you can use God's Plan to help your students mimic flow, rewrite lyrics, and do vocal improvisation! Check out the chart in ...
Havana by Camila Cabello – The Breakdown for Modern Band
Spencer breaks down phrasing, improvisation, and stage presence. Charly also pops in to help you add some Latin percussion and dance moves to this hit! Check ...
Believer by Imagine Dragons – The Breakdown for Modern Band
Spencer talks timbre, arrangement, and drum scaffolding in this hit from Imagine Dragons.
Despacito by Luis Fonsi – The Breakdown for Modern Band
Scott shares some ideas on scaffolding chords in for this 2017 hit. He also shows you how to expand your bass parts beyond just the ...
Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man – The Breakdown for Modern Band
Mary and Joe share their insights on scaffolding instruments, singing in your head voice, and adding horns and choreography to your Modern Band performance of ...
Mr. Moats on Songwriting Part 3: Writing Verses with Partners
Mr. Moats works with his students to help them write verses for their songs in small groups.
Mr. Moats on Songwriting Part 1: The Bullseye
Mr. Moats breaks down songwriting into a step by step process, starting with The Bullseye
Jose Vergara on Songwriting and Composition in Modern Band
Modern Band teacher Jose Vergara discusses and shows his methods for teaching songwriting in the classroom.
Songwriting Made Easy
Here's a short animated video on how to simplify songwriting. Created by David Hendricks.
Mr. Shea on Songwriting: Two Note Melody
Modern Band teacher Mr. Shea discusses songwriting using a two-note melody
Mr. Shea on Songwriting: Using a Word Chart
Mr. Shea shows you how to use a word chart to help students begin writing songs.
Jose Vergara on Instant Success and High Standards
Modern Band teacher Jose Vergara explains how to allow students opportunities for instant success while still holding them to high standards.
Interview with Mr. Shea on Songwriting
In this interview, Mr. Shea and his students reflect on songwriting in the Modern Band classroom.
Interview with Mr. Moats and His Students on Songwriting
Mr. Moats and his students discuss their experiences teaching and learning songwriting
Teacher Feature: Anthony DiMasso on Teaching Music Production
Music Will (formerly known as Little Kids Rock) had the privilege of visiting Anthony DiMasso's classroom in The Bronx this fall. We spoke with Anthony ...
Teacher Feature: Jasmine Faulkner on K-12 Modern Band Best Practices
Music Will (formerly known as Little Kids Rock) had the privilege of visiting Jasmine Faulkner's classroom a few weeks ago while we were in Colorado ...
Rapping and Rhyming – How to be an Instant Emcee
- In this PD, Kenrick Wagner goes over some great beginner activities to get your students freestyle rapping in a low anxiety way that will lead to instant success.
- Level: Beginner
Incorporating Composition into Modern Band w/ Jose Vergara
- Level: Advanced
Approximation in Modern Band w/ Jose Vergara
- Level: Advanced
Creating a Comfort Zone w/ Jose Vergara
- Level: Advanced
How to Use Scaffolding in Modern Band with Jose Vergara
- Level: Beginner
Creating a Student Centered Classroom with Jose Vergara
- Level: Advanced
Modifications for Students with Disabilities with Katherine Stock
In these two videos Katherine Stock, a Modern Band teacher in New York City, walks you through some of her techniques for working with students ...
- Level: Advanced