Swanwick and Tillman set out three levels at which their "Sequence of Musical Development" may implicate music teaching: "general curriculum planning," "individual development," and "the role of the teacher." From the perspective of a practitioner working as a secondary music teacher in England, this article critiques the practicalities of adopting an approach inspired by Swanwick and Tillman's theory. Although recognising the challenges that music teachers face in the current context for music education, this article argues that educators should carefully consider how musical learning is structured, both in curriculum planning and approach.