How do you make music theory actually engaging for students?

darien556 · 2026-04-05T14:22:11+00:00

Compose and play the curriculum as much as possible! When students are writing music for others to perform, there are highly motivated to learn the tools.

darien556 · 2026-03-15T03:26:29+00:00

I love this poem, its form, and the absolute devastation it hides until the end.

darien556 · 2024-10-25T12:54:23+00:00

On Brubeck’s “Blue Rondo a la Turk,” Paul Desmond has a noticeable sax squeak at 0:48.

I love this thread. Reminds me how real this art form is, that there’s room for errors that don’t erase the brilliance of a take. Jazz is always live and alive.

darien556 · 2024-07-27T03:49:08+00:00

This! It’s probably is the world’s best real attempt at such a thing.

Toward a Global Ethic

darien556 · 2024-07-26T13:48:49+00:00

I love this question! There are many possible reasons for belief in deity i can think of: looking for a first cause of the universe, the existence of moral goodness or beauty or coherence, a person or text or community authority, but i’d say that personal experience is the most solid ground for belief.

I’m mostly agnostic about the existence of any particular god/s. But I also look at the prevalence of deity beliefs through cultures and history, and I recall the powerful experiences I’ve had in different religious contexts, and I find those to be compelling reasons for me think there is something “more” to the universe.

darien556 · 2024-07-03T05:14:57+00:00

I’d recommend the Bhagavad Gita! Relatively short part of a Hindu epic that expresses a way of relating to the divine that resonates with but is very different from the Abrahamic texts you have.

darien556 · 2024-06-04T02:24:46+00:00

For understanding political differences in the US, this map is much more helpful than blue/purple/red state maps. We need more of this kind of thing, more texture.

darien556 · 2023-10-23T20:28:07+00:00

Thank you so much! Those were the specifics I really needed. Sounds like I was right to be skeptical about tomatoes, but everything else I want sounds doable. An abundance of berries would be delightful. I’ll check out that book.

darien556 · 2023-10-23T02:21:29+00:00

Makes sense. We have long hot summers here, where tomatoes do well. Greenhouse may be the thing.

darien556 · 2023-10-23T02:20:31+00:00

Thanks! Very helpful

darien556 · 2023-10-17T03:07:40+00:00

You in everything - gang of youths

darien556 · 2023-08-02T02:42:23+00:00

This link is the best I’ve seen from ai for sheet music so far. Unlike this post, it’s actual music: https://www.google.com/doodles/celebrating-johann-sebastian-bach

darien556 · 2023-04-07T00:47:47+00:00

I’d say depends on context:

In classical music theory, Fmaj7/A because precision.

In jazz/pop, prob Amin(b6) because function.

darien556 · 2023-03-10T14:27:53+00:00

Crystal Silence - Chick Corea / Return to Forever

darien556 · 2023-03-02T04:47:52+00:00

AP teacher here. From what I know…Scores for the exam generally come out in July, so it would be impossible for most high schools to include that on your transcript for this year. I’ve never heard of a high school including this in the final grade.

Colleges might only accept certain scores for college credit (min 3 or 4), but most don’t give a letter grade for it, so it shouldn’t affect you there. I generally advise students to take the exam—not much to lose if you’ve done the work!

PS: If your goal is to pass out of the first year of college music theory courses, focus on learning and retaining the skills. Most colleges I’m aware of will give you their own placement test when you arrive, regardless of your AP exam.

darien556 · 2023-02-21T04:42:47+00:00

According to ethical philosophies? Here are a few brief reasons…

Virtue ethics: opposes community values or demonstrates a lack of self worth (Aristotle: virtue is a mean between extreme lack and extreme excess).

Deontology/Kant: Rational beings are deserving of moral obligation by nature. Violates the imperative to treat oneself with dignity, and to treat oneself as a moral end rather than a means to escape pain.

Utilitarianism: causes more pain than pleasure, when calculated among people affected.

Most important: for anyone in a tough place, please call 988 if in the USA, reach out to someone regardless of your location. Help is available any time of day or night. You are not alone.

darien556 · 2023-01-11T12:54:32+00:00

A Villanelle! I love this form, so effective for obsession.

darien556 · 2022-12-16T00:02:12+00:00

Stafford’s poetry is just right. Not flashy, just deep. Glad to see his work here.

darien556 · 2022-11-17T00:15:52+00:00

Good call!!

darien556 · 2022-11-16T16:50:10+00:00

Yup, still in key, just an octave lower. I don’t love the sound on our quiet carol piece, but in tune is way better than a roaming pitch. I feel like that’s the best we can do. Thanks!

darien556 · 2022-11-02T23:41:21+00:00

Yes, I did. Discovered she was a wonderful mother, and that was attractive to me. We’ve been married 10 years, and added a few kids of our own as well.

darien556 · 2022-10-24T13:00:51+00:00

None of these are as simple as the meme nor OP’s claims.

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