Author: Steve Giddings

I've taught K-6 General Music since 2008 and have experience teaching bands, choirs, rock groups, and musical theatre. I'm in the trenches every day! I know that there are kids we aren't connecting to in our traditional programs and so I've been a long-time advocate for including the authentic learning of popular styles in music classrooms along with creativity to enhance and modernize our existing programs. I've played in multiple styles and genres over my career, from classical to ska, and from rock to jazz on a variety of instruments, and I'm a published author with an award-winning book. My second book, Creative Musicking, was released in early 2020. Keep an eye out for my book, Creative Music Technology for Unleashing Creativity, from Oxford University Press.

Figurative Language Through Song for Language Arts and Music Teachers (Pt. 1)

This unit is available for purchase on the new Steve's Music Room Store. Get it here! In a stunning feat of Irony, songwriting fits into the Language Arts curriculum more easily than the Instrumental Music curriculum. I mean, weird, right? Isn't it? Anyway, I recently facilitated a unit on songwriting and poetry with a focus … Continue reading Figurative Language Through Song for Language Arts and Music Teachers (Pt. 1)

8 Technology and Online Learning Resources from Steve’s Music Room

8 Technology and Online Learning Resources from Steve's Music Room. To help with your tech or remote learning needs, I've compiled a list of blog posts from the website to help you in your endeavors. 3 Awesome Online Drum Machines 9 Ways to Use Google's Blob Opera MIDI for Music Teachers: Using MIDI in the … Continue reading 8 Technology and Online Learning Resources from Steve’s Music Room

A Learning by Ear and Transcription Project for Intermediate Band

Contrary to popular belief, I enjoy coaching large ensembles. These groups are really good at facilitating the practice of reading European staff notation, but something these ensembles have historically not been good at is facilitating the practice of learning by ear, arranging, and composition. I know, ear training is part of the training, but ear … Continue reading A Learning by Ear and Transcription Project for Intermediate Band

Was Classical Music the Popular Music of its Time?

There was a tweet that really inspired this blog post in the first place. And it went something like this: I've heard people say, "Classical music was the pop music of its time" before and unfortunately that cannot be further from the truth. One of the main reasons folks are led to believe this is … Continue reading Was Classical Music the Popular Music of its Time?