Resource: Dr. Selfridge Music
I am always on the lookout for high quality resources for music educators - especially when they are either free or low-cost. One such resource that I recently stumbled upon is an amazing YouTube channel titled Dr. Selfridge Music: Learn How to Band, created by a music educator from Pennsylvania, Dr. Steve Selfridge. If you have spent any time looking for practical, student-friendly content online, you know how rare it is to find something that is both high-quality and immediately usable in a band classroom. That’s why I’ve decided to highlight this incredible FREE resource
This collection of carefully produced videos is built by a practicing high school band director who clearly understands what students need and what directors don’t have time to create themselves. The YouTube channel alone reaches nearly 300,000 subscribers and is filled with approachable lessons across virtually every band instrument, along with broader music topics and live interactive sessions. What I truly appreciate about what Dr. Selfridge has created is that the videos really feel like they were created by a music teacher for music teachers. You won’t find overly produced, or silly “fluff” videos. They feel like they were created by your colleague down the hall who simply sat down, turned on a camera, and said, “Let me show you how to do this.” Here are a few of my favorite videos:
Here’s a great video on teaching your students to play flute without getting dizzy:
And my personal favorite….
I also REALLY appreciate the fact that Dr. Selfridge brings in other experts for teaching brass and percussion instruments. I always think it’s best for teachers to model the best possible sound for their young instrumentalists, and recruiting other musicians and teachers to create videos is really cool. You’ll even see a few from one of the most famous sax teachers of all time, Dr. Denis DiBlasio!
The videos are all incredibly practical. You’ll find beginner lessons that walk students through fundamentals step by step, instrument-specific tutorials, and play-along opportunities that can reinforce what’s happening in rehearsal. There are also livestreams where students can ask questions in real time, creating a sense of connection that many online resources simply don’t provide. For directors, this opens up opportunities to flip instruction, differentiate learning, and provide support to students who need extra help without adding more to your already full plate.
The companion website, the Dr. Selfridge Music website, extends this even further. It organizes resources by instrument, making it incredibly easy for students to find exactly what they need. The mission is simple and refreshing: provide free, accessible materials that teach, inspire, and motivate music learners everywhere. You’ll find blog posts, sheet music tied to popular tunes, and structured materials that can be used in lessons, sectionals, or even full ensemble settings. If you love what he is sharing, you can help out his work by either donating directly to him, or becoming a member of his Patreon.
I hope that you find this free resource as exciting as I do. I think it’s a PERFECT addition to any set of resources for band directors - whether you’re teaching beginning band, high school band, or anything in between. Let me know what you think!