by Glen McCarthy | Jun 24, 2016 | Classroom, Education, Gear, Principles, Tips + Tricks
With tight and fluctuating school budgets, it can feel like an impossible mission to pitch a new idea. This is especially true of arts programming, as music educators know. Interested in starting a guitar program at your school? One way is to sell the powers-that-be...
by Glen McCarthy | Dec 10, 2014 | Classroom, Education, News, Principles, Tips + Tricks, Uncategorized
Photo credit: manuere from morguefile.com School is full of rules, most of them unspoken. However, if there’s one takeaway from music, it’s that you have to break the rules to make something beautiful. In shaping growing minds and life-long music makers...
by Glen McCarthy | Sep 29, 2014 | Classroom, Education, Principles, Tips + Tricks
There are not many kids who like learning scales. Why would they? Think about having to learn all the unique fingerings, whole steps, half steps, etc. on a piano. But on guitar, you only have to teach scale “shapes” (at least to start) freeing you up to...
by Glen McCarthy | Jul 22, 2014 | Classroom, Education, News, Tips + Tricks, Uncategorized
As a musician, Ani DiFranco has earned the respect of an international audience, critics and the likes of Prince. Through her unapologetically direct songs, DiFranco has also earned a place as a noted feminist and social activist. Her style may best be defined as...
by Glen McCarthy | Jul 14, 2014 | Classroom, Education, Principles, Stories, Tips + Tricks, Uncategorized
Your students probably heard their first Beatles song before they were five years old. But do they know who’s behind the genius of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Here Comes the Sun”? Some of Harrison’s guitar flourishes are the most hummable parts of many...
