Teaching for a FAIL (First Attempt In Learning) in the Ensemble Classroom

Failure is a common experience in the lives of musicians and educators that is frequently seen as a negative attribute for performances in music education. By shifting from a negative, destructive approach to a positive, constructive orientation to failure, music educators can help their students learn and advance forward from experiences of failure toward success. This approach requires the creation of a classroom environment that allows failure to be accepted and transparent and focuses on a growth mindset regarding student success and failure. This article presents instructional strategies that model and support the growth of effective practices for coping with failure socially, emotionally, and cognitively.