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Below are more non-redacted short essays written by students using the Sound Fundamentals Band Method. *********************** Brandon: Sound Fundamentals has helped me by some reasons. Fist, if showed me some sharps like G# and D#. Next, it taught me some songs that I like. Last, it helped me learn more. This is how Sound Fundamentals helped me. Melissa: The Sound Fundamentals book has helped me a lot. It really helped me because now I can actually make a good sound on my flute. Before I sounded like a bird that was about to die. It also helped me to read notes...

A teacher in Illinois asked her students to write short essays on using the Sound Fundamentals Comprehensive Band Method. Here are the results. Malcom: "Sound Fundamentals" helps me because I have more songs to practice so I can get better.  "Sound Fundamentals" helped me because it makes me feel confident and is fun to practice with The "Sound Fundamentals" The "Sound Fundamentals" helps me because it's easy to read the notes when I play and makes me sound much better when I play the trumpet. The "Sound Fundamentals" helps me because I can play much better and faster to play the trumpet. Please...

In 2014 I wrote the Sound Fundamentals Band Book #1 and posted it on the  PDF Band Music website as a free download.  My thinking about the project was two-fold.  First, I knew that there are many schools that simply did not have the money to run beginning band programs and I hoped that my small contribution would help those in need.  Secondly, I wanted to write a method that progressed more slowly.  The band methods on the market today are excellent and the technology connected with these books is awesome. But, I feel that most books progress too rapidly...

Perhaps one of the most difficult decisions a middle school band director must make is choosing appropriate music.  Balancing the pedagogical value and the musical integrity of each piece is not a simple task.  In addition, often schools have specific curricular goals which music teachers must be aware.  For example, many elementary schools use various themes throughout the school year such as Black History Month, the Presidents, or Celebrating Patriotic Holidays and it is incumbent upon band directors to choose music that enhances these themes.  Of all these factors, most importantly the music teacher most choose music based on the...