Intro
Welcome back to this special series all about the best advice that current music teachers would give to new music teachers! If you missed Part 1, make sure to check it out for some fantastic advice from our music teacher community.
In this second part, we’re diving even deeper with even more tips on self-care, building relationships, and classroom management – all given by current music teachers on the Midnight Music Facebook page. Whether you’re a new teacher or just looking for fresh ideas to reignite your spark for music teaching, there’s plenty of wisdom to go around. Keep reading for dozens of quick tips and life hacks from music teachers.
What is the best advice you were given when you started teaching?
Self-Care & Life
“Learn how to look after your voice – it needs to last your whole life. Don’t take on too much away from your job, but make lots of time for yourself and relaxation. The first year is exhausting.”
– Sue A.
“Never stop learning.” – Jay H.
“Make sure to take care of your voice. Use good technique at all times.” – Robin M.
“Look more into Elementary music than your college is forcing you to. I student taught at the elementary level and it helped immensely. You aren’t going to get that hot shot band/choir gig right away. You’ll most likely teach K-12 and you need to know what to do with 30 kinders in front of you.” – Joslyn L.
“Wear clothes you can very comfortably move around in. Especially the shoes!!” – Sabrina S.
“Keep playing your own music for yourself and your students. They learn more watching you do it than from you talking about it.” – Lynn K.
“If something feels off at your job, trust your instincts and leave.” – Adam L.
“Make the time to observe a colleague at another school every year. Get them to observe you and provide feedback. If you can’t do this, VIDEO yourself teaching! You will learn a ton about yourself.” – Debra F.
“Get a mentor. While we all need to make some mistakes, we don’t need to make them all.” – Sarah S.
“Interview your administration and music departments carefully before accepting the position. Make sure they support music making, not just talking about it.” – Jahna M.
“Use earplugs every day. Get custom-made ones and use them! Tinnitus is not fun and hearing damage happens so easily. Look after yourself.” – Jodianne S.
Relationships & Building Rapport
“Chill out, relax – you’ve got this! Don’t fear if there’s a question to which you don’t have the answer, just say “That’s interesting, I’ll have to look that up”. The Music department is a haven for the unique, weird little people who need a place of belonging. Embrace your inner weirdness” – Graham B.
“Relationships, relationships, RELATIONSHIPS!” – Helene B.
“Start every class by expressing joy & excitement that students are with you. Music & creativity follow from that connection.” – Marjorie L.
“Set the students’ hearts on fire, play great music from around the world to them, show them the universal language of music and how it connects to all cultures and to their natural world.” – Kelly. K.
“Learn the names of your students to make those connections with them. Take roll, seating charts, whatever works for you but do it! Greet them in the hall with their name. “Hello Greg! Have a wonderful day!” That after 34 years has been my greatest gift. When you do this your behavior issues will diminish as well as making those relationships grow stronger as the years go by.”
– Tasha H. W.
“Kids before content. Know your content but make special bonds of trust with your students (families) with clear boundaries. Know your feeder system and be visible. Lastly, have fun coming up with ways to engage learning without students knowing they’re learning.” – Jerry C.
“Don’t try to do everything at once. Decide on your priorities, get to know the kids, and add things as it gets more comfortable. Also, don’t worry about what they say about the previous teacher. Whether good or bad, they had nothing to do with you, so just know the comments will fade and you’ll get to just be you!” Barabara C.K.
“Be personable, be sensitive to the students’ learning style, be creative. Don’t overdo. Keep it simple.” – Jessica C.
“Get to know your community – does it match your values? Drive around, see what the town and area is like. If you are a small town person, and work in a small town – really BE part of that community – get to know the people who run the school – the custodians, the front office people – work with the parent groups – find a mentor – find a peer who is also starting out. If the district is large – same thing – but trust your gut – you will know if you “fit in”.” – Charlene U.C.
“Have FUN!!” – Nita. S.
“Diversity. Kids want different things from music. Be willing to learn and listen.” – Paul B.
“Build relationships first- worry about musical concepts second. The more the kids feel you actually care, the more they will want to learn from you.” – Theresa E.
“Do you… make it what you want it to be. Don’t worry about what was there before. They will adjust! It takes several years to get the gears to all work smoothly.. give yourself and your students grace as you develop this! You have inherited things from the past. Just like when a new pro football team gets a new coach… he/she has to work with the team that he/she inherited not the one that was hand chosen! It takes time and energy. Be you and it will be be-YOU-tiful in time!” – Beth M.
“Without solid, professional relationships nothing else is possible. The dumb approach is to try and do it all yourself. The smart approach is to ask for help when you need it. Do less. But better.” – David H.
“Consider using technology less. Music teachers offer the opportunity to make real music with our physical selves. I’m not anti-technology, there are some powerful resources. But most of the time? Shut it off and just make the music.” – Amanda P
“Don’t mess with the lions! (Lions=the other teachers). Do your job “quietly”. Only your students matter.” – Katerina A.C.
“Set boundaries and expectations FIRST, and then you can relax. Respect is a two-way street, but kids have to know your street first.”—Pete R.
Classroom Management & Teaching
“It’s good to establish why they are learning before they start. Many don’t even know why they want to learn so much. You can tell by how they talk if there is some underlying need they haven’t connected with yet. There are so many reasons. They could be using music lessons as therapy. In this case I don’t push practice. Many people use music to help them find their identity and break free from constructs. This is wonderful as making music parallels life experiences. Let them use how they are feeling to shape and control sound.” – Sarah S.
“Become an avid follower of a method like Orff or Kodaly. Take the levels classes and conferences. There’s so much more than a music textbook or digital platform can provide.” – Bettie B.
“Classroom management has to be very strong. 1. Don’t let students into the classroom unless they are settled and ready to learn. Don’t be afraid to send them outside and line up again, then keep doing this until you feel they are settled. Don’t raise your voice while you do this. Keep calm, have patience with the class. 2. Have a set routine for every lesson and try to keep it the same. This will help with ADHD and ASD students. 3. Use a visual list of activities. 4. Make it clear that theory is just as important as practice activities. 5. Rotate jobs amongst students.” – Dei C.
“Show the pupils it is the best subject by allowing your enthusiasm to shine through.” – Valerie B.
“The first job is to make music enjoyable. Don’t worry about the technical aspect straight up. Hook them first! The rest will then be easier to achieve and will fall into place.” – Leisa P.
“Singing, playing and listening should be the focus. Develop aural alongside singing and playing. Don’t focus too much on theory, history, “academics”. Expose students to many varied recordings. Show your enthusiasm!” – Melinda C
“Read the room. Do what best works for you and your students.” – Gloria B.
“Take the first few lessons to get to know your students and link your expectations/rules with what is already in place, ie, school rules or behaviour policy. Be clear about expectations and don’t budge on them even when you’re having fun. Let them know there are [different outcomes] for meeting or not meeting your expectations.” – Michelle L.
“Don’t do things that students can do. Create a team of students who are willing to help when required and use them for setting up, packing up, moving etc.” – Daniella R.
“Do wiggle activities. This helps them build trust with classmates and awareness of personal space for when they are on the risers for concerts.” – Gloria W.
“If you don’t learn good classroom management skills, you will not be able to share that joy, the lesson plan will not work if your classroom management skills are not strong. Classroom management does not have to be harsh. It just needs to be consistent, In this way, you can show the kids that you truly love them, you hear and see them , and you love your subject and you love sharing it with them.” – Carol A.
Final Thoughts
As we close out Part 2, it’s clear that taking care of yourself and fostering strong relationships are key to thriving as a music teacher. From looking after your voice and never stopping your own learning to building connections with students and colleagues, these insights are invaluable. Remember to keep observing, get feedback, and trust your instincts.
If you’re looking for more advice and support, the Midnight Music Community is the perfect place for you. It’s a membership filled with music tech tips, resources, and a supportive network of music teachers. Join us and find the guidance and camaraderie you need in your music teaching journey!
Want more resources for music tech teachers?
Hello! I’m Katie Argyle – an Australian music technology trainer and consultant with a passion for helping music teachers through my business Midnight Music.
I’m a qualified teacher but no, I don’t currently teach in a school. I help teachers through my online professional development space – the Midnight Music Community– where there are tutorial videos, courses, links and downloadable resources.
I like to focus on easy ways to incorporate technology into what you are already doing in your music curriculum through a range of creative projects. I also run live workshops and have presented at countless conferences and other music education events.
If you want simple, effective ideas for using technology in music education, I would LOVE to help you inside the Midnight Music Community.
