Category: MTMS Blog Posts

When We Play Together: The Power of Collaboration in Music Lessons

Collaboration is at the heart of music—and of learning.
At our school, music goes far beyond practicing notes alone. Students learn that the real magic happens when they listen, share, and build something bigger together. Collaboration shows up everywhere—whether they’re rehearsing a duet, teaming up in the Music Learning Lab, or bringing the energy of a full band to life.

Why Collaboration Matters:

  • 🎶 Musical Growth: Students sharpen their timing and balance when they play with others. They learn to match dynamics, adjust rhythms, and blend tones.
  • 🤝 Life Skills: Collaboration teaches respect, patience, and communication—skills that students carry into classrooms, friendships, and future careers.
  • 🌟 Confidence: When students share their ideas and cheer each other on, they grow braver and more willing to take creative risks.

Collaboration in Action:
We have Rock Band camps where kids get together to play in a group. This can be a very new experience for them to need to play the part of an instrument, which may be one they’re very familiar with or a newer one. Sometimes teachers and students have duets for performances as well. This added layer of musical performance energizes many into reaching higher for their personal goals. More instruments and more people involved – up to a band or an orchestra – can motivate students in their lessons at home.

Learning about collaboration and how each person within a group will come to the music differently also adds to the challenge of playing together. It assists students to manage teamwork in settings where they can’t choose their team but need to complete a project. Many of these young, confident musical collaborators grow into tomorrow’s leaders.

That transformation is what collaboration looks like. A single instrument sounds beautiful, but harmony happens when voices and instruments join together. Every time our students collaborate, they learn that music—and life—is richer when shared.

Music as Medicine

Have you heard of music therapy? Did you know that music is one of the oldest medicines?

Neuroscientist, award-winning musician and composer Daniel J. Levitin has been studying music and how it changes the brain. I was fascinated to learn about the work being done for some illnesses I didn’t know much about, but also on well-known diseases like PTSD, Parkinson’s, and depression. While I encountered I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, in researching this post I found two other books by this author I’m going to have to get my hands on.

Examples from my life:


My mom always had music on when I was a kid, and my father was a DJ. I love a lot of different styles and I play what I feel in the mood for. My mom changed music when my kids were little and suddenly played them classical music instead of the more contemporary styles.

One thing I really enjoyed about the research in this book is that it isn’t necessarily about the style of music, but also about what you enjoy. Levitin did state that sad songs are probably not the best for depression while also acknowledging that each person’s tastes are going to vary.

Music has always been so personal. We love the songs we love, and we each have a few we skip when we hear that first intro. If you read the books, you’ll learn a lot about music and the brain. What I would challenge everyone to do is look at their playlists, search their favorites, and see what it is that makes those songs special to you and how it changes your day to have that music with you.

Examples I’ve learned from parenting:


My daughter loves to make playlists. She has one for each year of school, which means she’s on her third because she’s a junior. Also, she has created a separate playlist for her closest family members of their favorites. Her earbuds keep her connected to music to help her concentrate during school. (Per Levitin, music keeps the anxiety from taking over during the quiet moments of concentration.)

I’ve noticed when I play music, versus language learning or listening to books, I can tackle challenges at work with a different mood.

So, tell me, what role does music play in your life, and how do you use that for yourself?

August Theme: Yodeling

The unmistakable sound of yodeling—rapidly flipping between chest voice and head voice—has long been associated with the snow-capped peaks of the European Alps. But this unique vocal technique began not as art, but as function: yodeling was originally a practical method of communication, designed to carry across vast, mountainous terrain.

What makes yodeling so distinct is the dramatic shift between vocal registers, often called a “vocal break,” which creates that signature warbling tone. It requires surprising vocal control and agility, making it both a fascinating study in technique and a fun musical challenge.

While yodeling’s exact origins remain somewhat mysterious, its influence spans continents and genres. In fact, this Alpine tradition helped shape the sound of early American Country music in the 1940s and ’50s. Country artists embraced yodeling’s expressive power, using it to add flair and feeling to their songs—creating a lasting link between European folk traditions and American roots music.

At Michelle Tuesday Music School, we believe that music lessons should go beyond notes and scales—they should build curiosity about music’s cultural roots. In our Lab this month, students explore the rich history and technique of yodeling with a lesson. The composition station challenges students to compose a short yodel of their own, while our listening station features examples of yodeling, linked below.

Parents can be part of the fun, too. Ask your student what they’ve learned about yodeling this month—you might be surprised by what they share! Better yet, try yodeling with them. It might lead to a few laughs, but it’s also a great way to connect with your child’s learning and cultivate a shared appreciation for the colorful history of music.

Kid Quotes

I love to read the students’ comments on the monthly theme. It’s a great way to know what they’re learning from the history and listening stations.

My favorite this month is from Noah – “didn’t know he was in the sixties and is dead” I’m sure there’s context to this but I feel the same way. Ollie felt they all sounded the same, but maybe that’s just a first impression to 60s pop music.

Liana – one song they were playing with a ball and dribbling, and one sounded like spring then summer or summer then spring. Her favorite lyric was ‘home is in your heart’.

Wynn – liked the words to Sweet Caroline, liked the songs where one instrument (drums or piano) started first and then the others joined in, and enjoyed the pictures.

Owen really liked the song titles, especially Sweet Caroline, he appreciated the realism in the songs, and he enjoyed the moving pictures.

Hayden noted that Motown records was incorporated on April 14th, 1960. The British Invasion brought groups like the Beatles to (American) audiences. In 1969, Woodstock brought more than 400,000 people together as an audience.

Penelope liked the lyrics, but also noted that the songs were based on what happened to people and it was a little scary.

Bela appreciated that there were a lot of female artists, Woodstock happened August 15-18, 1969, and that many British bands were influenced by Black American music.

Lillian especially liked Here Comes the Sun. Lyrics in the listening station were both happy and sad and she enjoyed the sounds of the instruments.

Zoey noted the lyrics are different from what you hear today, that it was old music, and some of the videos had black and white scenes.

I hear there’s a hint to our next month’s theme in the newsletter. See if you can figure it out with your students!