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Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 1 -
: y; ^, F/ \; D- lTeaching Flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
) R7 A) \" A% X) w) qBeginner Level;
) k- N5 N& I2 D3 r; C \/ V. n1 AThe basics of playing+ c, h. y' s' t3 u. u, E
The basics of music
' O6 ]! A* M+ ~Foundational skills are put into place.
6 Q- F4 C; v& X: Q% y! {$ TIn this period the pupil has to work and think very hard about what they are doing as habits
3 M* `7 ]5 J3 jare still forming. In around the 3rd year playing becomes easier and more natural and
/ O, K" f- }- |! a. m/ ?progress becomes faster, as the pupil enters the intermediate level.
+ c' p8 i7 b0 e# d9 N2 CIntermediate Level; C( Y9 p% w1 o1 ~8 ^: h! h
Foundational skills are honed and expanded in relation to the playing of music. I see the
) M" F; [7 o( P5 }' ~) D. _beginner level as lasting for around the first 3 years of playing.: E d V% k4 F: ^3 v
So I see the difference between beginner and intermediate more in how the pupil handles the! D: ^3 V0 e- ]$ o! ^7 L
flute rather than the level of difficulty in the music they are playing.
U. P- F! e: w' dPoor habits that are allowed to form at the beginner stage and carried over to intermediate will4 t1 x4 N4 Q+ v
need a lot of work and might never be eradicated. They may instead need to be developed for+ U9 E+ M- O, S, G8 ?& w: M" a! [
that pupil`s needs. An example of this would be a side blown embouchure, which for some, is
" R w8 u; A* S1 @- n5 O# Ga result of facial characteristics (i.e. best suited to side blown) but for many is a result of poor
/ D# X0 V+ C# y: _! t# b# Hposture and flute position being left unattended at the beginner level.
# X8 C- G/ I2 N3 f o; l+ g; vWhat about Advanced Level?! n( ~; t" ~) Q0 ^
The focus is solidly on musical goals
' J% @8 U0 P/ q3 dThe student is motivated by these goals
, Q: F% A; r8 \- U8 P) PTeaching is directed at achieving these goals
. D- O6 M* F3 G* B% C8 vLesson content at the Advanced Level is in many ways pre-defined by the goal and not the
- K! s3 M$ a% m, @. R tteacher.. l9 o& U/ c3 h. f3 A1 M% D
At the advanced level motivation for mastery of the instrument comes for a large degree from
& @/ x& z$ b2 _( U% o1 Nthe student`s wish to achieve musical goals. The student will in most cases tell the teacher8 o: [. X z; ]! ^
what they wish to achieve and the teacher will give help and guidance. The teacher takes on
S2 D: y8 e, n$ ~much more of a role as mentor while much of the responsibility for progress and direction has
7 h( V$ ~; Y1 Y: I; v; i" Epassed on to the student. For this reason we can disregard the Advanced level in this lecture.: y, E! C# p- m7 s
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
0 w1 i- q }& [" }& kCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 2 -8 E; ]6 l) A+ s2 A
But first a little philosophy……Or……..How to get out of and avoid the rut.
: `. ?2 V7 P6 ]# J( bWe all have our own musical, artistic, aesthetic and pedagogic philosophies. This is what
- w& F0 w6 [- Q+ ~2 s% N8 Jforms us into individuals and as we develop, so do our philosophies (and of course vice
& z$ `" f# Z1 A& D5 }- x) Yversa). As a performing artist needs development to avoid stagnating, so does the teacher. If2 [0 x6 j! B9 v y' R' R4 K
we get bogged down in the routine rut of doing things the same way, with all pupils, year after
3 b- L( X! Q @9 g9 E; v4 c5 l6 myear we will cease to develop and grow and like all living organisms, once we stop growing
) ?3 Y& c+ K8 O; {3 C1 G( Swe start decaying., Z7 Z$ U0 U& E/ S) S1 D, p" F/ |
This doesn`t mean that there is no place for applying experience, or that one should discard
* p# \ m4 r, b7 J- t' O0 Omethods or techniques that are successful, simply that one should keep an open mind for new+ H0 k( p9 J2 i$ r
ideas and avoid getting complacent.
: O: D" p7 ]4 z/ oThe Practical triangle3 t' ]1 f, A; N. w
The triangle represents the different levels
# j1 Z; W: O& K& H. N; e! Nof practical application in teaching
3 S3 v9 V+ l& M/ r& d/ E
3 c2 H) J# {$ }7 VThe practical triangle is an aid used when engaged in guidance counselling of pedagogic
2 D5 A* g, {, i6 w# s7 C4 t# bstudents, while they are gaining practical experience. It is designed to help them discover
: Y" m( ^# k8 f! G3 K' L9 \& Fwhat knowledge and experience they are already in possession of and how this might be
7 b0 R" |1 s9 G' s- {applied to the task in hand.
& H- L+ i; X2 sThe levels explained;; B& F( k4 o9 o4 ] X3 w
P3 Aesthetic/artistic reasons 9 B' c+ H; t* v' o$ _8 d
P2 Your reasons for this based on education and experience/ _+ y$ L9 h- X" y
P1 What you are doing) D# R" d$ L- D/ V5 R# {9 M
This tool can be useful in any application to gain perspective over a new and challenging task2 r6 _$ v5 s0 m6 }2 r5 A7 O
or simply to take stock of what one is doing now.4 W, m% I+ h+ m/ L% t
Put simply; what, how, why?
' O9 ~# s# b: L* F- z: A2 QFor young students with little experience the first 2 levels are the most important, to avoid
% f( z) |/ J5 Z( [+ cgetting bogged down or overdue influence from the aesthetical side. Students as we know will/ H9 e2 x# T3 n w% A: P
often have very strong ideas and principals, but as we mature and gain experience we become
* z, V* E! |& {(hopefully) more flexible. This is something to keep in mind but for a more experienced
/ G2 \8 y& u3 steacher/player, especially as we are working in an art form, the importance of the levels will
! V! V" F! X# \7 N5 Tbe more equal.: L: x3 U" u7 Q5 o5 X& v) S# E
A word or two on Aesthetics, s+ s5 @3 z! `
Aesthetic reasoning is more than pure artistic influence. It could be;
0 z" |& [$ b& \, l7 }+ W( G" e: f7 s: NThe music school policy or goals) b* W/ J: f- i8 m9 i
”my teacher always did it like that”
9 G9 h. L j) t7 \+ X* vCultural influence- k) V) c' f, f$ z$ C5 b
Etc.3 S9 c4 T8 M# z3 E
Aesthetic reasons are often based on personal baggage!
! A1 U. K5 o3 ?& N0 nP23 I* e. @3 j; |. @( a. b
P36 R n, D- |: j: g. E, ^
P1
. O2 d& M' v" X# QTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels# K7 M( s' z# w4 O% z1 o. R! d/ C
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 3 -2 K$ c. x7 ^6 r) ]) X' ?
Aesthetics will always play a role in everything we do. If we try to be aware of their influence
8 b( B- ]0 z& a% d% z' fit can be easier to be objective about what we are doing. This doesn`t mean that the
5 p4 K! t' i, ]- t1 J" r3 L% {1 X1 yimportance of aesthetics should be discarded, just that their often hidden influence should be: Z; d/ {$ A& s! C9 y& }2 R
brought to the surface and examined. The last point regarding personal baggage is not( V$ k: I% O" S/ r$ c) b) b
necessarily negative, it should simply be kept in mind when examining why you want to do
6 B" q0 u2 b2 r4 V" D8 {something a certain way.; I( e8 |' `6 w2 q
Circle of Philosophy
$ Q8 O0 r o8 `The Circle of Philosophy represents
& K W+ ~& s+ z9 |1 wa constant process of evaluation for the teacher.
; C ?& t: o* c, ^4 N- C9 g/ G8 }& L% M
One`s own methods and motives need to be examined in relation to the task
1 P* ~7 o( R( gA circle is perhaps a better illustration of how the ”levels” relate to each other with regard to/ y% H7 F: ^' ~5 n
the teaching of a musical instrument. One can start at any point, for any task and work: V6 O% H( b& E I2 A
backwards and forwards between the sections to gain a better perspective.
9 r$ N U! J1 p, Z, |) ~' N8 o" IThe question ”why” can just as easily be replaced with…….Why not?8 W8 o! ?% z% @/ m: d4 W
$ v( k5 m- t9 T9 W' k) F
Are there elements in ”what?” or ”how?” that solve ”why not?”?
+ B" Q, L* r; r& t( x. ?This sort of instance arises if one is going to attempt something unusual. Are there really# k3 U! C0 q" g/ J+ @4 }1 C
reasons why it can`t (or shouldn`t) be done? Again one can start anywhere and work in any9 j2 W( a( @) M; p2 p
direction but it is likely that one will be working mostly between how? and why not? Of. S. n8 T l% q8 X& {' n) l
course ”why?” can still be included in the circle. If there are problems then maybe changing$ `2 `" D! l6 g" Q% ?4 H: |
the method will open the way. In this case we will have gone from what? to why not? to I! U8 Q" u9 X% c+ L+ E/ n2 k
how?, back to why? and back to how? again and finally to what? The task, or tools might K3 G5 k. `* e( |; X4 d
have changed slightly in the process of choosing a method.
/ A% Y. }7 f x3 \# e”Why?” and ”why not?” are two sides of the same question!
! O+ r8 f2 W. q6 ^/ TThe solution to ”why not?”may already be there in the circle.
7 Y" U& e! [* l6 p”Why?” and ”why not?” can be used as simple questions or as the start of a list of reasons to2 ?; S, V; k+ c0 I g y
justify something. This change of perspective will greatly influence their role in the process.) p& i* o4 K5 M$ V" Q. s2 @
”Why not” can be used both as justification for trying something or as a reason why it might
0 Z5 _5 o8 d: `6 K, z: Cbe better not to. I4 A+ b( U$ \: Z" }4 R
Why?
0 B: y, b! Q, w5 X+ f1 s$ vWhat? How?
! f, X2 ?- a3 H8 ~2 t6 N5 F+ q5 {Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
7 F7 y; i1 }) O+ Y4 I& Q" UCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 4 -
; m- m& Q9 S( I& }4 EAt last…………What? Teaching the flute at the beginner and intermediate levels!0 k) C; c0 F* _2 h4 U; x+ n. ?
Why? Research shows that playing an instrument;
6 i H6 q$ C* S+ G$ \4 m: j! I( g( r* O
Improves cognitive progress
2 s v# v# \& d" d3 CImproves co-ordination and fine motoric
0 R0 \) Y" p% a; }8 `) D0 r/ F3 Xskills
& L) M# T6 n8 V/ Y. RImproves visualisation skills
3 d: ?/ ]6 J+ ]5 t* b" u/ e( `Vastly improves academic skills
0 S. m9 C* C# B+ n$ P( WRaises social awareness
2 G, ?9 r2 g+ n8 N. |" u3 TImproves self image
: V7 W/ q( g- z/ j2 ]Builds confidence
3 _- k) t1 b* Z$ H& \Will make the child a natural leader and* E* _2 z( @6 I# S
who knows, maybe President of the USA
& ~" ^0 A' B- m/ Tone fine day!!
: D0 |0 e. [: ?# lThere is a lot of of research done (much of it in the USA) into how playing an instrument and
" ~! i: a9 o$ U6 y' m- kbeing involved in music programmes affects the child`s development. Some of this research is& e. U* ]; n4 o) M4 Q( R. X
of direct use to us as pedagogues as it maps out learning processes.) `. P) R% M0 ^3 n8 T, ?5 X! E- A
That said, one should keep in mind;
8 n* T8 ^: D6 b) s, ?; t& eThey are political justifications for investment in music programmes and not reasons for
2 ^& y5 Q. o uteaching the flute
& W! r$ K2 T. G/ uMuch of this research comes as a result of the limited resources used in music education.
0 Q+ k9 Q4 l4 n3 qThey need to show that they are ”useful” to get funding8 N# p6 W( S4 N
While these points may be of interest politically, they have nothing to do with the/ ]" H, D% p ]
philosophy of a musical instrument pedagogue. j% T$ t2 P- u6 D9 |9 ^/ v
The research in a large part has been done to justify the ”usefulness” of music programmes
$ F8 Z$ y t( t4 J# Pand education in a materialistic world where everything must be measured and quantified.
. e7 J/ e5 @ z; R, zWhere everyone is fighting for funding music can no longer just be for music`s sake, it must P9 F' l- B8 D
be balanced up and shown to be a magical and jolly useful thing.1 |3 f7 S9 [0 l: k7 W
In the short term we need to play this game if we are to get necessary funding, but in the long5 V0 r2 y6 {! p6 }* \
term we need to work to have music accepted simply for music`s sake. If we fail to do this
1 r a, A1 q) ^! s: y9 b! Athen the importance of music and the Arts will be slowly, but surely eroded./ T7 t2 i% L7 t
Why should we be teaching flute to kids?
8 L3 m" z T5 I) L5 o N8 lTo train the next generation of musicians and thereby ensure the continuity of our Art and
. B) A/ M: A0 ?2 N( j: eit`s central place in society.
f' u: T) U' f8 tTo foster eager amateurs, who love and understand music. To ensure a new generation of. R9 A+ S$ R- s1 {/ w. I
concert goers and patrons of the Arts.* s0 W7 j5 r4 l' {
Of course we need to be training the musicians of the future but should this really be our main
; j! j' b* p1 I3 ^concern? There are already too many musicians being trained for too few jobs. We need to* ^2 L9 F% g3 D$ _
concentrate on the second group much more. By taking more care of the ”average” pupils and
4 d# o* N. d3 rinspiring them, rather than bullying them to work harder or quit, we will hopefully have a
+ @) |& L' C$ |1 U, Afuture filled with concert goers and voters who care about where the Arts figure in politics1 `* L2 G" F! R. y4 w4 I! C
and the enrichment of society as a whole. If we only make programmes that favour future) Z) E1 \/ `- y
musicians then those pupils will graduate into a world of ever decreasing job possibilities6 v* D+ ?; ^, k4 C# A( Q' r
(much like now).2 K, I; F7 G8 a& e
If the second group is missing then the first simply becomes a cry in the materialistic
) w4 q- y/ U6 ^: B& J. f9 o! ` }, wwilderness." y% A' ?9 T# M! H8 a
Never underestimate the power and importance of the general public in the future of the Arts
8 ^: t; l/ A5 Y. C) T* d8 T2 S1 OTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels3 a' ~: v1 k7 R, M
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 5 -
9 o; t9 [4 O- _, Y1 t" ~Only with a large and eager public, across all classes can music get the necessary funding.0 i6 B& n" y4 N. E4 E% X1 f# Q
The early experiences are what will have most influence on an individual`s later relationship
I& O! ]; A7 x& d# a3 H' E0 s1 fto music and as a music pedagogue it is YOU who will influence and secure the future of& [0 P, @9 q" }+ M
music." O4 c2 \& O' @4 Q. n# }4 t
Remember the Advanced Level?
$ I& g4 F3 u) \4 Q z* `The focus is solidly on musical goals
/ H/ W0 T7 Z( |% U% f6 TThe student is motivated by these goals
4 U2 s6 X, ]% R& E/ G% G2 I* FTeaching is directed at achieving these goals. [7 C5 j; n( p" I! ^. J! f
When MUSIC is the central element in lessons, then all of the above should also apply for
/ E! a. e8 s/ cthe beginner and intermediate levels+ s6 v5 v8 A* V- @( |* ^4 c
Although work at the lower levels is mainly aimed at putting foundational and technical skills0 i& e/ L; ^9 E7 z
into place, an understanding of the musical goals can be the motivation needed to work! o) V% r i% B2 v c# u$ B
properly with problem areas.
5 {. l& A$ v2 k$ T f. m5 pLessons should be aimed at;( t2 T% E4 i2 N! L
Enjoyment and discovery of music& z$ G, f5 `3 H7 r
Building general musicianship9 u& ]% ], |+ G% G! T$ d* [5 m+ @
Good solid foundations of flute skills1 x& M P% y9 v+ u* G/ }
The achievement of obtainable goals
9 f! _- S5 j" N/ ]/ c9 Y7 r+ {7 ZBuilding confidence and independence in the pupil: H+ E. _! T/ O. a; h- Y0 j+ B
The aim should be to develop intelligent, intuitive musical beings, not simply note reading
" J5 w# v3 F) {2 Gflute blowing robots. At all levels the flute is the chosen tool but the subject is music. This
3 M# c# U6 C" {& [means music in all it`s forms, not a snobby hierarchy where classical is at the top and the
9 q2 \) i: d! D5 F& T; k1 Aother forms are subordinate. I do feel however that classical technique should be central to the/ r% t: |& c- W" H7 r2 N: k2 x- @% v
teaching as this gives a good and stable starting point for the investigation of other genre. We, z* ~# K+ T, k- {0 l. |5 L: X
should set our own biases aside and guide the pupil through all types of music so that they can
8 {; E- z% ^8 U/ C+ y6 `# Fdecide what it is that they like.
6 X) }% o9 {( k+ Y% [: ?You should always keep in mind that…/ \3 m9 K" ^/ E0 s7 y
You can`t fit a square peg into a round hole# v5 m# L9 H5 o" ^, p) i% s
You might however, over time, sand and form that peg to fit!
$ {6 ?/ Z8 {8 {' Y3 s8 YThere`s no point in bashing your head against a wall. Do like Joshua at Jericho….
& m/ j% I! Y. M1 l" F2 }
! y4 {& u( _: i+ L" G! B5 E$ f' nUse music and take the time it takes!!0 N* ^, D2 W' p" |# j( J
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels7 u# q6 o2 c7 f: N2 C
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 6 -0 e/ T/ @9 |5 c
The little people- 5-8 years
% h: j9 c9 p' D% E! u/ n7 `Why?- C7 V R1 u( V! S" Q w6 D
Open and ready7 f5 P9 J' Y; S& {3 f! B( e
Build an early relationship to the; L8 o5 o- y! j+ _% \
instrument and music
* a! M9 |* `1 ?3 ?/ G4 [Plenty of time, no rush3 `# D5 H' ~2 E7 U
Basic skills are put in place early1 B0 @5 q) Y. ^% }* @/ n/ d) o; q
Why not?
5 y% Y& D9 O5 ^; l/ V* uFind it intimidating
$ F7 n% J, B+ NEmbouchure problems* |, z- |5 K* G) j( \% Q
Size of instrument
. Q/ V4 m( i7 q3 X' n. kCost of instrument. E5 C% _" I" T% d* G0 j1 T( D+ V
Unable to concentrate very long- ~% c# U$ \# ?2 M3 Q$ |9 Y4 W. z
Weigh the “why?” against the “why not?” and then the “why not?” against the “how?”. If
9 x o: B8 U3 l# Jthere are real benefits to starting earlier than usual then adjusting the method might give a
* y1 C' h6 I* z2 `way ahead. You should however give good consideration as to whether any of the difficulties
& f9 @0 D5 @: \# b9 zin the “why not?” list can really be overcome./ [( J! U( v" N+ @5 F8 h, m
The little people- how?3 w& G1 K; K0 V. I6 h
Yamaha fife
4 H% P) I9 I) rGroup teaching9 V( y% n2 B- v" ^
Parental involvement
+ ~8 u% j% U" K, f2 v$ XMany activities- not just playing
3 u+ A" l x% V ]One thing at a time
. C/ v, F% M6 DPatience
# L7 | m7 ? \7 Q* VRegular ”performances”
5 U( v: D5 W4 k; fFUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN
( g7 Q4 u0 Z7 o9-11 years- The traditional beginner age
2 i& {7 ^- Q9 }( v) V* J# HSome general differences to the little people;
) a" J" r* q# a/ L1 `. R7 F, ]# nA clearer idea of how a flute should
: U4 r6 n; M5 P% `8 n5 w$ q: zsound
7 g& R( {9 X7 M( J7 LMuch more peer conscious, J( I+ t2 m. S0 p
Impatient to improve
0 B7 E& q; B# ~! _7 G3 ~Become demotivated if progress is too
/ Z2 h' d9 U3 v( J+ t0 j Z' t5 Vslow( W6 r' y7 |! L. O! i$ U
Become demotivated if progress is too, V; B( J7 q+ m8 `# {
fast!!3 B+ T4 b, S5 R6 [( u0 D* @
Because this group has some idea of what playing a flute really is, are impatient to forge* O2 l3 P$ W% u9 \) Q
ahead but at the same time are sensitive to how they measure up to their peers a fine balance& F( R6 b* Q# `+ M6 `! I
needs to be made in the speed of progress.
& d" ~3 f) s0 Z# }5 T# E) N: {9-11 years- how?' f& `1 Q0 H7 s( U
Yamaha fife as a primer, z: _8 |6 n1 M' p' Z
Regular group lessons (unless it is
. H6 x S. ~4 ]* r7 o8 v6 |problematic)! g9 c( @8 T4 z9 } l7 m6 D
Parental involvement?) ~. |: s; u' p& m- }% V+ {
Many activities- not just playing- c' ?$ [: F% |) P
New challenges: U ` N8 V# k8 L+ g# E% |2 k, Q+ T
Patience
) ]) R& g8 ^: A9 W# E* i6 eAllow pupil input- talk to them' r+ ?# q; A# K. e3 H+ O
Performances?
9 U5 o% |1 m* {. f/ J1 iFUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN
i' v, G3 K# h# K) b2 g4 P1 cTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
) \2 `- e& `( H( p* ICopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 7 -% J, |$ O; i( b7 ^
Group lessons are useful as the lessons become very dynamic. However one must constantly' M5 b0 w$ M) J- P3 g# Y
evaluate the usefulness against problems like one pupil falling behind or another forging4 G5 P1 @ N3 Q. ^1 p/ L" L9 }3 B$ a
ahead.! B, [- s2 g* X
Likewise the involvement of parents and performances can help in progress and confidence* l# R( Y% C9 T
building. But some children in this age group (especially at the older end) prefer to be private
* s5 f2 r5 K9 a$ _0 iabout their playing and withdraw into the safety of the group. In such a situation the interest
1 z+ y& d9 w q- M7 I9 band enthusiasm of parents might be unwelcome and received in quite a hostile manner.0 `3 R) c/ @4 o* Q% `3 T
Performances can also be a problem with this sort of child, with them unwilling to play for the. u6 I: \! B7 ^9 i2 t8 X7 [
usual audience of family and peers. They will however, often be willing to play in a group: [8 B1 R) _) t" \: q, I
setting for strangers rather than be the only who hasn`t played on a concert.* ?5 C5 j$ k- F' o/ R
Adolescence- The danger zone0 @) r" T2 ~5 h3 D* i3 X$ E
Why do many suddenly quit playing, for no apparent reason, as they reach their early teens?
; U4 c: j4 u1 D9 i4 yWhy?! G" _8 \0 ^* B
A need to exercise control over their own! q& I+ n1 L" q. c4 g, O/ P
lives?
; [: L, C0 Z! t l F& cTrying to make a point with their) X" c2 ^5 V) v5 z; h; q3 N [
parents? h7 w9 K4 F0 K7 H/ o: E d$ u
Hormonal turmoil?) H; j6 V$ `: ?
Changing interests?
- G$ ?* R* |4 C1 b) H) |9 Y' lA wish to blend in with the gang?# r) Y0 L0 J( T6 V( q9 S
Pressure of school work?$ H3 b; z7 v, e3 P. j+ F" G9 Q
How?
+ t, A" D2 s# c0 P) m b. X' A8 ?Give them some control over lesson
+ V# j5 @* Q$ G; K; `9 ?content
, D1 b( a# C. N% k& UCut the parents out of the loop! ]$ m& _; Q: W L
Be friendly but keep some distance!3 E: f' d) b. r9 r
Only natural that interests might change' C7 {" g5 l A
Help them to gain status amongst their
0 r3 R7 n. L6 i2 M) Ppeers
4 ?* K3 p/ ], N2 F+ vDon`t pressure them about practice; }2 O& u( q0 `7 N4 T
If you can help them through this period they will probably, H$ M4 l' p6 Q5 v/ |/ k7 S
carry on playing for many years$ b8 @1 _6 u$ v* n7 z1 B& j
Some generalisations9 r. W2 J2 {- V
Girls versus Boys
' A; c5 D' v6 s3 X, E O- d8 OOther girls play flute* y( E- O0 r- z! I9 H" E, M. Z6 P
Easily influenced by peer pressure
; K+ K) k' J2 ^* A0 w' sBetter concentration and fine motoric Z+ A# e: g% X) _" L
skills at an earlier age
% a2 S, X3 [3 yEasily discouraged if they feel they are4 \5 c8 f- V5 o/ B/ |; I# ~
behind in group
0 f9 O9 l) l4 Q0 O' ?0 rConscious and individual choice6 r* y* h& {- p, o
Opinionated: H3 Y- m3 h, d |( z4 o# x
Technically minded; fast progress driven
2 u! ?0 M1 Z6 ?by a need to understand$ Y# ^ t' W! `: ~8 j- c
Show uncertainty through disruptive
8 B/ p5 Q& B" a! Z+ mbehaviour' ^4 Y& |' h9 {. R+ O& F# ~+ C9 X
The general reasons behind a boy or a girl choosing the flute might have some bearing on how
6 B# V9 P, e k2 N3 syou teach the individual. In general flute is seen as a typical girl`s instrument and this means
s$ O6 o: v+ v' Xthat a boy who chooses the flute has often thought long and hard about it.) D% ?* t! G e/ D
Likewise the differences between the genders can also play a part in how you choose to teach, e# m+ e$ p! F5 ~# q
a certain pupil. There can also be geographical differences connected to different schools. I
6 d9 e7 M- E& D2 b+ `, @1 r% iwill often adjust my teaching style depending on which school I am at and the general way, K3 K4 M9 `3 b" m3 E
that children from that school interact with me.# \1 Y/ `: L5 }/ l' R& N: B
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
3 w. G% M3 U5 N f4 d" S5 S* V3 C. @/ cCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 8 -
3 }& F( c6 d j% A7 WDiscipline!!
" E( A9 [5 e JImportant in group teaching if it`s going to be fun& i! L* Z; F1 Z0 M5 A# s
You don`t need to scream and shout
7 z% B, `9 H- l( @0 KSometimes you don`t need to say anything at all
) o( m5 e* J& m O$ y0 a# a6 C% oSelf discipline in a group is the same as respect for the others
2 y2 ~' h3 ~ e3 ^: E; GPoor discipline can be a sign that you are on the wrong track$ ~- h$ b& M7 W8 z
Discipline doesn`t need to be overt control by the teacher, but it is an important factor if
- N$ R. h& b& Q% M6 s+ o/ Z* alessons are going to be productive and fun. Many of my pupils complain that their day at
. g9 r: a& D+ d7 E" F9 J) x+ b, q) w( Oschool is tiring and sometimes stressful simply because there is so much noise in the
+ {# j! ~0 H' q- e8 C6 T2 Sclassroom. Some children react very badly to group disorder and things get very quickly1 b* f# I: G9 r) z! ]4 n0 @
boring and out of hand if minor discipline problems are not taken care of immediately.
& Y3 v9 ^0 ]( Y, _7 J1 u6 dIf the group is in turmoil then your shouting “QUIET” simply adds to the noise level. If you9 B. G; r3 B) Y6 {2 i
start talking in a normal voice then chances are that the kids will quieten down because they
. Y) J& E1 v5 M, g1 n8 N0 Rare afraid they are missing something. Sometimes saying nothing at all, simply standing and
: d0 g$ k( T* K; e+ `# ~2 ywaiting can have the desired effect, or to tackle a disruptive influence simply moving closer to
) q- H' G. |9 K7 I Q. M* j7 l% _* Ethem or looking at them is enough.
: k; `9 ~* e9 l% t% n" l4 {One should work at making the group self-disciplining, with pupils showing respect not only5 c% X% ~) I6 R7 ~$ R9 V
yot you as a teacher but to the rest of the group. Respect of course is a two way street and by
9 F: u; ?. i b* ?4 z7 l* S% eyou treating all pupils respectfully they will learn that this is the correct way to act.
! D( f, o& E/ n6 WLessons should contain;
# C4 F, A* w" C' NPlaying by ear/ imitation( L' M( ?3 z* t/ }
Improvisation/ creative work, _2 {1 A* [# F9 `1 ]5 H$ E8 Z
Rhythm work
$ N2 l) T' Q0 T; t! K' A( `4 dPolyphonic playing
0 ]; v# Q4 o+ O& h; dTheory in practice- ? C% x) g# J0 o6 A( \, U! }
Using notation
0 r" z! p, u9 f- i$ ]! m8 v: WPerformance training/confidence
$ z! L: j" ?) E d( n, J8 Sbuilding
6 H, _" d) X$ w9 T. [1 [6 oFUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN
L- |+ Z- X% x8 g! `- T: f5 \PRAISE, PRAISE AND MORE PRAISE
; C* V' y. o1 |2 pRemember that the goal is to create musical beings. Working in a consolidation pattern will: ^9 T' t- b0 l* ` e4 ^. k
help the pupils to have “aha” experiences where they recognise what they already know. I feel2 U8 A( @' `' }
this is also true of theory and notation. If the child already knows something before it is5 x/ _' B0 ?' D: p
introduced in the written form then they are more likely to couple it with past experience and3 C: q# l7 u, M6 O' S( t3 D2 i
remember it. This is especially true at the beginner level where I feel that notation should8 v0 \0 e# K* q4 u3 ?
never be used to technically advance the child.
1 G8 k9 N1 U6 D( Y2 wTeaching kids is rewarding but can at times be tiring. Remember;
9 c# o, c) s# y) e* l# J+ dPatience is a virtue* H$ G7 ^8 Y6 N) f/ R7 {# O
Everything comes to those who wait
) q, z5 o+ E: uAnd finally…………………….
1 K ~7 a+ ]% M, KIf it ain`t no fun then what`s the point!?! |
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