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The recorder may not always get the love it deserves, but it remains one of the most powerful tools in the elementary music classroom. In this episode, Bryson breaks down the five most common misconceptions about teaching recorder. He shares practical ways to move past the “mini-band class” mindset, how to differentiate without losing joy, and why focusing on process over performance creates deeper musical growth..

Whether you love teaching recorder or prefer ukulele, barred instruments, or something else entirely, this episode offers a thoughtful reset: a reminder that our instruments, whatever they are, are simply tools for exploration, confidence, and connection.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:18 Myth 1
• 4:49 Myth 2
• 7:30 Myth 3
• 9:43 Myth 4
• 11:51 Myth 5
• 12:56 Takeaways
  
  

Links and Resources:

• The Elementary Music Summit®
• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join Elementary Music EDGE™

Use coupon code PODCAST at checkout for 50% off your first month of Elementary Music EDGE™ today!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

If you’ve ever felt nervous, overwhelmed, or downright stressed about teaching recorder, this episode is the breath of fresh air you’ve been waiting for. Bryson sits down with Erin Elliott, who brings a balanced, practical, and joy-filled perspective to an instrument that often gets a pretty bad rap.

Erin shares why recorders so easily spiral into chaos, the hidden reason many teachers dread teaching them, and the surprising story of how she completely rethought her approach after realizing her old system wasn’t serving her students - or herself. Together, she and Bryson dig into what actually works when teaching recorder. This episode is packed with practical takeaways that you can apply this week. Whether you’re recorder-obsessed, recorder-avoidant, or somewhere in between, you’ll walk away feeling encouraged, grounded, and ready to bring more joy (and less noise) into your recorder unit.

Tune in and let this conversation reshape how you think about, and teach, the recorder.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:18 Why Recorder Gets a Bad Rap
• 3:20 Common Mistakes & Better Approaches
• 10:02 A Reimagined Recorder Unit
• 12:14 Classroom Management Strategies
• 17:00 Connecting & Extending Recorder Lessons
• 19:41 One Simple Change to Try Today
• 23:16 About Erin’s Training
• 24:49 Takeaways
  
  

Links and Resources:

• The Elementary Music Summit®
• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join Elementary Music EDGE™

Use coupon code PODCAST at checkout for 50% off your first month of Elementary Music EDGE™ today!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

Sub plans aren’t anyone’s favorite part of teaching, but having a system that works every single time can take a huge weight off your shoulders. In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson shares how switching to a simple Google Doc completely changed the way he handles sick days. No fancy software, no overthinking, just one reliable document he can update from anywhere.

He walks through the structure of his digital template, why it’s so helpful to keep everything in one place, and how using a shareable link can save you from scrambling when you’re already not feeling your best. You’ll also hear a few practical tips for choosing activities that any sub can handle and setting yourself up so you’re ready for the unexpected without spending hours prepping.

If you’ve ever found yourself stressed about taking a day off (or avoiding it altogether), this episode gives you an easy, doable way to make sub plans one less thing to worry about.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 3:35 Getting started with digital sub plans
• 5:51 Template walkthrough
• 7:50 Tips for making it work
• 9:35 Takeaways

Links and Resources:

• The Elementary Music Summit®
• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join Elementary Music EDGE™

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!