Can Music Improvisation Help Neurodiverse Students?
In this edition, I’ll share how teaching music improvisation has helped my neurodiverse students learn how music is constructed and performed in their own ways. I’ll also discuss how my own neurodiversity informs my teaching strategies and improvisation methods. As a caveat: My advice is not a one-size-fits-all for students. Everyone’s neurodivergence is different, and…
So, I’m Dyslexic and ADHD: How it Reframes My Music, Teaching and Research
Quite the shock to hear back from a professional assessor, after having my suspicions for all my adult life that I don’t operate quite like others and see things differently (or rather, read things differently), it is now official: I’m dyslexic and have ADHD—two for the price of one in the neurodivergent sale. I will…
How To Get You and Your Students Improvising #thatmusicimprovteacher
This article will be in Music Teacher Association Ensemble Magazine Autumn 2025 edition, available to MTA Members: To join, click here https://www.musicteachers.org/join-us/ Hello all! I hope you have all begun the year well and have already used some improvising techniques with your students! I offer you some tips and a sample lesson plan to get…
Beating the Count: A Message for Music Teachers Who Need Some TLC
First published on my LinkedIn profile In preparation for the new academic year and a commemoration of my posting a blog since the last one which was in the late 1800s, I think, I began drafting something akin to James Manwaring MBE’s brilliant post on what he did to recharge and get inspired, and Katie…
Music Improvisation in UK Secondary Schools: Part 8
In this series, I will present parts of my dissertation, ‘What strategies, activities and methods would help develop the teaching of music improvisation in UK secondary school education?’. I aim to give you insight into my improvisation research by informally presenting my findings, opinions and thoughts. It may start a discussion of the justifications, merits,…
Music Improvisation in UK Secondary Schools: Part 7
In this series, I will present parts of my dissertation, ‘What strategies, activities and methods would help develop the teaching of music improvisation in UK secondary school education?’. I aim to give you insight into my improvisation research by informally presenting my findings, opinions and thoughts. It may start a discussion of the justifications, merits,…
Music Improvisation in UK Secondary Schools: Part 6
In this series, I will present parts of my dissertation, ‘What strategies, activities and methods would help develop the teaching of music improvisation in UK secondary school education?’. I aim to give you insight into my improvisation research by informally presenting my findings, opinions and thoughts. It may start a discussion of the justifications, merits,…
Music Improvisation in UK Secondary Schools: Part 5
what are my questions for research? In this series, I will present parts of my dissertation, ‘What strategies, activities and methods would help develop the teaching of music improvisation in UK secondary school education?’. I aim to give you insight into my improvisation research by informally presenting my findings, opinions and thoughts. It may start…
Music Improvisation in UK Secondary Schools: Part 4
Methodology: How to gather data that represents the current landscape of music improvisation in UK Secondary education In this series, I will present parts of my dissertation, ‘What strategies, activities and methods would help develop the teaching of music improvisation in UK secondary school education?’. I aim to give you insight into my improvisation research…
Why I Teach Music REVISITED
In this series of blogs, I shall go back to previous blogs to explore, reflect and elaborate on what I wrote. It will be interesting to see if my views and perceptions have changed, but I hope you can gain something from reading these too! Let’s return to where it all began: my first post…
Music Improvisation in UK Secondary Schools: Part 3
How should we teach genre for improvisation in secondary school? In this series, I will present parts of my dissertation, ‘What strategies, activities and methods would help develop the teaching of music improvisation in UK secondary school education?’. I aim to give you insight into my improvisation research by informally presenting my findings, opinions and…
Music Improvisation in UK Secondary Schools: Part 2
What does education and research say about improvisation? In this series, I will present parts of my dissertation, ‘What strategies, activities and methods would help develop the teaching of music improvisation in UK secondary school education?’. I aim to give you insight into my improvisation research by informally presenting my findings, opinions and thoughts. It…
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Mike Wright Music Education 