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Kerstetter, K. Tod. "Turning Notes Into Phrases." The Instrumentalist (1998): 14-17. Web.

Kerstetter breaks down the abstract process of playing with musicality into three categories; phrase endings and beginnings, marking breaths, and playing with good fundamental technique. Within these three categories he discusses how they differ in varied settings (chamber, ensemble, solo). He cites that this is juxtaposes his music education, in which he was often told to play "more musically" to which he responded by simply playing louder and faster.

Kerstetter's article could prove useful in a secondary or collegiate music classroom. The information could be transmitted from the teacher to the student or directly to the student if the teacher presents the article to be read on an individual level. Although the article seems slightly narrow in terms of Kerstetter's opinion on musicality, students can still learn and grow as musicians from reading it. If I gave this article to a student, I would add a disclaimer stating that there other ways to be musical that are equally correct.

1. At what grade level can this content begin to be understood? Can it be 6th grade or even earlier?
2. If I were to weave the exact content from this article into my band's curriculum, do you think the students would be able to reach their musical potential or would they fall short?
3. There is little mention of emotional, historical, and cultural understanding of music in this article. Can I expect my students to be truly musical if they don't understand what they're playing on a deeper level?