I write music instruction books and songbooks, and I’ve spent most of my working life teaching players how to make music work in their hands. I’ve published more than 60 titles across guitar, ukulele, mandolin, cigar box guitar, and related instruments through my imprint, Kalymi Music.

Earlier in my career, I co-authored a research study on music and emotion that is still cited. While I don’t work in academia, that experience never really went away. Over time, teaching raised more questions than it answered. Certain ideas transfer easily. Others don’t. Emotion, intention, and musical understanding resist being reduced to exercises.

I still care deeply about teaching. I’m using this space to think more carefully about the questions that keep returning after decades of instruction, and to work through them in writing as technology, automation, and AI continue to change how music is made and understood.

More of my work is at brentrobitaille.com.