Musings About Alternate Approaches in the Classroom

I've been thinking a lot about how Music History courses are approached- lectures, drop the needle exams, written exams, essays, and papers. 

I've taught a History of Jazz course for a few times, and I continue to refine my approach.  I am seriously considering an internet-based constructivist approach to some of the assignments, and Expanded Music has inspired me to really consider and explore this option for the spring.

I am also seriously considering teaching the course backwards: starting with the music of the present, which has so many fantastic fusions between jazz and hip hop, jazz and heavy metal, and so on.  This could help my non-music students better connect to the course.

Expanded Music has given me the courage to break the mold and perceive of different approaches in my practice.

If you're curious about the fusions I've referenced, check out this one!

Robert Glasper Experiment with Lupe Fiasco (The drum part is also a great example of expanding our concept of a steady beat at 3:11):