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You’ve Hit Your Songwriting Stride When…
...you're in the middle of a session with a student, and out of your mouth (and guitar) comes a complete song about playing the tambourine, perfect rhymes and all. I realized when Ryan reached "instruments" on his schedule that I hadn't planned a song to sing while he...
What to Wear, What to Wear
It's a little embarrassing to admit, but one of the hardest parts of my day is picking out an outfit to wear. I always second guess myself...did I just wear this? Is this too spring-ish? Does this shirt even fit? This daily dilemma got me to thinking: it's probably a...
Off To School Today
It's Monday, and you know what that means. Time for school! No shortened week this time around, but next Monday is Casmir Pulaski Day...which means another day off :) Until then, let's talk about the song I have for you today. It is all about going to school - when we...
Friday Fave: Blue Snowball Microphone
TGIF! This week flew by, and trust me, I don't say that very often. I guess it didn't hurt that Monday was a holiday :) Nonetheless, it's Friday and you know what that means - it's time for Friday Faves! I'm often asked what type of equipment I use to record my songs....
Under, Over, In and Out
Ahh, prepositions. They are something we all learn at one point or another, and as educators, we have the responsibility of making sure our students understand them. There are so many, but I chose just four of the most commonly used prepositions to include in this...
Ten Little Hearts
It's almost time for Valentine's Day, so I have a few love-ly songs on tap just for this occasion. The first one is part of my monthly "Counting Time" series, which features the same basic song, with a different seasonal item to count. This month, we are counting...
Is Your Mama a Llama?
Does this book look familiar? It sure does to most of the little ones I know. Is Your Mama a Llama? is a favorite both at home and in the classroom, and it has become one of my go-to stories. It's easier than you'd think to set a story like this to music. As long as...
Friday Fave: Jingle Sticks
See this yellow beauty right here? I have fifteen more where that came from, and it has quickly become my most popular instrument among the students of the Hope Institute. They are a relatively new acquisition; I received them just in time for the Christmas season to...
When the Saints Go Marching In
When I'm not composing original songs, you can bet I'm writing new lyrics for existing songs that are familiar and well-liked. I'm shared many of these songs in the past, and today I have a new one for you. Last month as I was brainstorming songs that might work as...