Always play with people better than you or you’ll never get better.

This is somewhat contrary to other posts, you know about everyone being equal. Well, sometimes rules oppose each other. If you play in a band with other people who are of equal talent of you, you will never grow. You will never be pushed. You will fall into a groove and never get out.

You may find yourself in a band that is a little better than your current talents. If this is true you need to work hard to stay in the band. Work on your chops outside of practice. Find your niche in the band.

The trick is to find that zone, just enough of a challenge so you hang in there. Not enough above your head so that you are frustrated.

Sometimes you have to modify this rule. Sometimes you'll have to play with people that are different than you or you'll never improve. If you're a punk, try a reggea or a jam band. Bring your skills, blend, them with your bandmates. Try something new. You'll be better because of it.

The whole is better than the sum of its parts.

One man band. This is the greatest oxymoron in Rock and Roll. You are not a band if you have only one player. (This is known a singer/songwriter). The real power is in numbers. The real power is in the combination of talents in the band.

This is a realization that usually come too late. Usually after a bad call from a member that decides to go solo. They finally realize that their talent or their popularity came from the combination of talents in the band.

In the classroom, students and teachers must realize that collaboration is key to being successful. There is too much that an individual doesn't know that leads to failure.

For way too long teaching has been performed as a solo act. Almost like the singer/songwriter mentioned in the last post. It's unfortunate. Life is not structured that way. Life is a group project and those that can master that will be successful.

For too long teaching has been a solo act. The teacher delivers instruction solo, writes lessons solo, assesses the kids solo and rarely receives feedback on their efforts. It is a recipe for disaster.

When you look at the best teachers they collaborate, share and evaluate with others. Like music, lessons need an audience beyond the students in the seats. The kids will take what you give but real improvement will arise from collaboration.