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Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 1 -/ M+ h% Z) a. s
Teaching Flute at the beginner and intermediate levels3 ~5 d; L" q+ F0 A; x9 S
Beginner Level;$ E3 p. u+ e* [; T6 J
The basics of playing; m; G i; ?$ C% M- Q2 L
The basics of music4 B! `1 ]7 c/ v0 _0 g
Foundational skills are put into place.* H; L$ i/ ?% |3 g
In this period the pupil has to work and think very hard about what they are doing as habits& L4 I; B9 D+ @
are still forming. In around the 3rd year playing becomes easier and more natural and
% d) Y: v5 \" q/ u; ]$ O& Z7 }( v! aprogress becomes faster, as the pupil enters the intermediate level.
+ L* B- ` s$ a5 d u% f) GIntermediate Level;
* Z/ @2 A' l! U& Z# h9 ~4 e' {Foundational skills are honed and expanded in relation to the playing of music. I see the
9 n' ?) b% J: t6 |" }( i- `) Dbeginner level as lasting for around the first 3 years of playing.
! f' c' I2 p7 U: [; lSo I see the difference between beginner and intermediate more in how the pupil handles the2 _$ m# O4 l0 H U& \% s
flute rather than the level of difficulty in the music they are playing.' i, G% I8 f. A! H2 L+ D* l9 z/ V
Poor habits that are allowed to form at the beginner stage and carried over to intermediate will, V n, P. D/ z( Y3 {( w9 T
need a lot of work and might never be eradicated. They may instead need to be developed for1 H# j6 |1 {; ?# j
that pupil`s needs. An example of this would be a side blown embouchure, which for some, is' f$ W# h1 \ U, H
a result of facial characteristics (i.e. best suited to side blown) but for many is a result of poor
) k' k) N4 T9 Nposture and flute position being left unattended at the beginner level.: C% k% g/ g0 J- ]1 t
What about Advanced Level?
k' H# [" _! W; |$ hThe focus is solidly on musical goals
1 ^' b$ @4 ^9 q. q# ^' wThe student is motivated by these goals- d/ P8 z" |4 n3 L5 y# \4 m8 `" ~+ P
Teaching is directed at achieving these goals
1 T- C8 k: X% c; y2 [" q5 `* z3 dLesson content at the Advanced Level is in many ways pre-defined by the goal and not the
7 a2 ^: d( k- s$ n$ Mteacher.. Q" U B+ b1 f
At the advanced level motivation for mastery of the instrument comes for a large degree from
8 {9 B" C) O+ T* B0 w# ~3 zthe student`s wish to achieve musical goals. The student will in most cases tell the teacher# x; T7 T0 U* w& j* z
what they wish to achieve and the teacher will give help and guidance. The teacher takes on4 T; u. j {0 J6 W- M; A, m( M
much more of a role as mentor while much of the responsibility for progress and direction has
7 I9 W9 E1 x& F8 M; Fpassed on to the student. For this reason we can disregard the Advanced level in this lecture.8 d& f" L T& V* F- J$ @. Y/ a
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
) ?- X" E1 V* P+ pCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 2 -) n2 }6 P7 h5 U' q/ s$ t$ R
But first a little philosophy……Or……..How to get out of and avoid the rut.; X) Z- a0 q4 R. q d+ ?3 H7 O
We all have our own musical, artistic, aesthetic and pedagogic philosophies. This is what/ w) q4 V* k" Y' S: H( M
forms us into individuals and as we develop, so do our philosophies (and of course vice
; v! A# X+ U/ Y9 l# n8 o7 hversa). As a performing artist needs development to avoid stagnating, so does the teacher. If1 Y3 U/ G/ Z. ^4 H
we get bogged down in the routine rut of doing things the same way, with all pupils, year after
2 s% ]. v* }6 ?+ ^6 a: a% fyear we will cease to develop and grow and like all living organisms, once we stop growing
% p6 q/ @5 q( F2 Pwe start decaying.
, X2 [8 E3 U7 S( Q9 H# FThis doesn`t mean that there is no place for applying experience, or that one should discard3 o. i7 G1 _& J8 f
methods or techniques that are successful, simply that one should keep an open mind for new
: q# r) O7 e, {+ `$ a b- Videas and avoid getting complacent.* ?5 A/ z$ ]5 C; } `1 M. ^# a$ K
The Practical triangle
5 _% R2 Y2 ~: I) ~The triangle represents the different levels
; e* i0 U' O: z- S6 o0 b& lof practical application in teaching5 a4 u8 Z$ t f/ x3 {
' Z ]1 C! D9 U' e9 g: IThe practical triangle is an aid used when engaged in guidance counselling of pedagogic" S# A3 Z" l0 B7 ]9 l) v
students, while they are gaining practical experience. It is designed to help them discover
6 d- `# I. W, N Q$ ?what knowledge and experience they are already in possession of and how this might be& Q9 a$ B. Y' ]
applied to the task in hand.4 k0 b6 ^ d) U1 e6 q1 A; K/ _
The levels explained;
) l( f! ~) ~# O, x+ \P3 Aesthetic/artistic reasons
$ V, p; u3 j3 l" iP2 Your reasons for this based on education and experience
1 p. M. Y% Y( h( MP1 What you are doing" ^; a8 V/ V3 D
This tool can be useful in any application to gain perspective over a new and challenging task
: ] U7 R2 ?( q$ b; ?: \or simply to take stock of what one is doing now.7 V* A; p6 @: _' |& @) ~
Put simply; what, how, why?
" j- r6 E1 Z5 M7 KFor young students with little experience the first 2 levels are the most important, to avoid
" K& \. f D% B' w: cgetting bogged down or overdue influence from the aesthetical side. Students as we know will
0 j' W1 ?, P& ?6 M1 D' Hoften have very strong ideas and principals, but as we mature and gain experience we become
. ]( O# Y3 L/ O. e; W* o7 C(hopefully) more flexible. This is something to keep in mind but for a more experienced3 Y7 t& Z$ i4 X$ u1 t0 b6 X7 d2 P
teacher/player, especially as we are working in an art form, the importance of the levels will
( T" Q3 |1 _: r8 Hbe more equal.
3 l% r/ T; M8 ` I! DA word or two on Aesthetics f% ^4 ^! c# c4 g7 r+ }
Aesthetic reasoning is more than pure artistic influence. It could be;
0 d% U; o. @; o2 XThe music school policy or goals
- |: V3 p9 H3 [, d”my teacher always did it like that”- T/ S& e1 o- R0 b
Cultural influence7 y/ `4 Q2 {. N C% `
Etc.4 a) L- D; `8 X6 R
Aesthetic reasons are often based on personal baggage!
) C! U5 t7 Q* ]( i& H# L3 AP20 e+ S; o( |' K/ e. D$ l
P3" M, U0 p8 U. n
P1% I* i( i/ G5 w0 O
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels. M" p: k) c) B( G0 g8 z4 \! [
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 3 -& }5 u( ]: S; Y$ ~* B; b. [! ^
Aesthetics will always play a role in everything we do. If we try to be aware of their influence; _9 X% g/ w6 B+ N+ V) J
it can be easier to be objective about what we are doing. This doesn`t mean that the
9 |3 m9 T! l8 G, c* y/ Pimportance of aesthetics should be discarded, just that their often hidden influence should be5 e( {( \& T6 Q
brought to the surface and examined. The last point regarding personal baggage is not9 w; Q# o# ^0 G% e" A* @
necessarily negative, it should simply be kept in mind when examining why you want to do( x! P+ K; ^# `8 F" A2 [* {4 R
something a certain way.9 ?* Q, f% D* x$ ^; p' i0 m6 h
Circle of Philosophy
5 G% Y1 y" F/ u$ p! ]9 @The Circle of Philosophy represents
( n. x& b8 B% J9 l( a8 `* Pa constant process of evaluation for the teacher.
" p& {% J! [# k& T- C. H# X9 {, `
, L7 D8 u; I3 c- i e/ H3 C. {One`s own methods and motives need to be examined in relation to the task
Y" c/ u& W! ]& E$ t2 m( GA circle is perhaps a better illustration of how the ”levels” relate to each other with regard to
0 A( M2 F. N2 i+ i& ?the teaching of a musical instrument. One can start at any point, for any task and work' I) }& }: P. _2 o, h
backwards and forwards between the sections to gain a better perspective.3 c& @+ z) A/ r/ Z6 P+ Y7 r- `
The question ”why” can just as easily be replaced with…….Why not?
" }& h5 |0 w, V, @( t4 d9 ~7 w7 i% q; t* L
Are there elements in ”what?” or ”how?” that solve ”why not?”?
5 e" K3 R& V, ^, ^This sort of instance arises if one is going to attempt something unusual. Are there really
1 o8 d$ L( R. U5 K# S* H; \reasons why it can`t (or shouldn`t) be done? Again one can start anywhere and work in any( s& ?1 g% D7 C. B
direction but it is likely that one will be working mostly between how? and why not? Of
8 I. v9 Y* b- f/ jcourse ”why?” can still be included in the circle. If there are problems then maybe changing% x; e1 G; S/ R7 c8 K) A
the method will open the way. In this case we will have gone from what? to why not? to. Y7 S: Q8 |6 V# V9 T# l
how?, back to why? and back to how? again and finally to what? The task, or tools might; z8 }7 d) y& v. p1 E' V8 ]3 o2 |% X
have changed slightly in the process of choosing a method.- a# C7 i' U, C( c5 T7 g' }# G
”Why?” and ”why not?” are two sides of the same question!7 _! W! P# k6 a) Y3 v# c! ?
The solution to ”why not?”may already be there in the circle.* g+ D4 i- l( I0 ]
”Why?” and ”why not?” can be used as simple questions or as the start of a list of reasons to* C7 z0 B/ j3 c1 ^# S3 c$ x
justify something. This change of perspective will greatly influence their role in the process.
) A0 E' y8 z* z, |( S- a”Why not” can be used both as justification for trying something or as a reason why it might: X6 P6 P- m! f& U# v/ N% ^- n
be better not to.! y+ ]7 k( M' B2 e$ W8 e
Why?
1 j% i5 @, F. k% \What? How?# k7 d% _. ~' e$ h2 O; ]! X
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels* m/ {# Q/ c+ R9 M
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 4 -
+ \0 D$ J. L) ZAt last…………What? Teaching the flute at the beginner and intermediate levels!0 w J5 B6 h$ b2 Y9 ]8 L7 i _
Why? Research shows that playing an instrument;
- Q- J% V5 u0 {2 `
. w2 [! {( t1 `- d1 lImproves cognitive progress
- ?# A8 z" O) k, Z3 zImproves co-ordination and fine motoric
7 i5 ~# v0 J4 K' C' bskills
' _$ {4 B+ e0 y% } dImproves visualisation skills
7 L U. ?: h% x0 qVastly improves academic skills4 O5 a% M) m y' Y0 H( v( q
Raises social awareness
( L. e+ ?; m) x# Q% l) ZImproves self image
; J4 u# v$ w# ~: T3 N& ?& l5 HBuilds confidence
5 [) V7 a6 Q6 p, p& kWill make the child a natural leader and
+ A% R, P& W: C9 z: v2 {who knows, maybe President of the USA
, F C0 t! ^% [/ ] q) i `4 I/ B5 K) Yone fine day!!
% ?7 K! v$ t: g* YThere is a lot of of research done (much of it in the USA) into how playing an instrument and: k: Q3 _. {1 Q8 L3 k( r
being involved in music programmes affects the child`s development. Some of this research is* m, U; U7 T n% j
of direct use to us as pedagogues as it maps out learning processes.
: J* f' s8 b1 s2 R; t6 {$ r3 NThat said, one should keep in mind;
( C1 q% D# n1 CThey are political justifications for investment in music programmes and not reasons for9 Z2 f3 h0 G( p% I9 d* W) k
teaching the flute8 ^* g, f7 a7 J S+ p/ [$ n& d
Much of this research comes as a result of the limited resources used in music education.
( q8 S1 ?( w9 k. n1 `2 B& S# ~They need to show that they are ”useful” to get funding
5 i* H$ J$ b a- d+ P8 [While these points may be of interest politically, they have nothing to do with the2 n; g3 J: o6 n8 V
philosophy of a musical instrument pedagogue6 |) E. q4 T4 Y
The research in a large part has been done to justify the ”usefulness” of music programmes# z. S/ \* G9 p7 N) D' W
and education in a materialistic world where everything must be measured and quantified.
) d: \+ s! P: B: T" w3 Z, T5 VWhere everyone is fighting for funding music can no longer just be for music`s sake, it must8 w3 K) n# c3 o6 Z1 ~! |, M
be balanced up and shown to be a magical and jolly useful thing.
9 L. ]% r1 Y7 A, a" ~In the short term we need to play this game if we are to get necessary funding, but in the long. Z% i* Y- I5 ^3 Q; u! ~& R; K
term we need to work to have music accepted simply for music`s sake. If we fail to do this
H0 b7 F3 I+ D; Z1 `$ {1 ]/ Wthen the importance of music and the Arts will be slowly, but surely eroded.
+ O: {8 D& L4 K" V0 `. S) V+ KWhy should we be teaching flute to kids?
# p5 S8 G9 p$ @0 n9 G: h- HTo train the next generation of musicians and thereby ensure the continuity of our Art and$ A( [, [# O2 d$ k- Y. f
it`s central place in society.! }* ]9 Y$ `9 T$ m4 D
To foster eager amateurs, who love and understand music. To ensure a new generation of
" K M/ Q, r3 b: j* p7 k& Sconcert goers and patrons of the Arts.4 Y, a: J, B8 ^& u
Of course we need to be training the musicians of the future but should this really be our main
* G( y; _0 f; K @5 K( C& @concern? There are already too many musicians being trained for too few jobs. We need to) U7 n" ]9 ?9 [1 d, q
concentrate on the second group much more. By taking more care of the ”average” pupils and
( S/ s; m$ B% w9 Ainspiring them, rather than bullying them to work harder or quit, we will hopefully have a
& _: t, U) d8 L% B8 yfuture filled with concert goers and voters who care about where the Arts figure in politics, e* h+ N6 m3 q8 O8 G, p$ F$ M
and the enrichment of society as a whole. If we only make programmes that favour future6 B- u5 ]1 E3 |; w
musicians then those pupils will graduate into a world of ever decreasing job possibilities7 h. h! v/ x7 @
(much like now).6 E% h# j Q6 B6 o
If the second group is missing then the first simply becomes a cry in the materialistic
5 k' s% o8 M0 [wilderness.5 `. z, p4 S0 B5 E3 N+ U) v" K8 ]1 h
Never underestimate the power and importance of the general public in the future of the Arts z: \2 R) q2 r2 P' q$ X: w
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
% u" D, ]# v6 f( O1 K2 |" jCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 5 -
+ \* D& M- T% u( i3 v) HOnly with a large and eager public, across all classes can music get the necessary funding.
X* Q/ T$ Q {/ ~# }The early experiences are what will have most influence on an individual`s later relationship8 e' c0 v" ?/ b7 U! Y
to music and as a music pedagogue it is YOU who will influence and secure the future of
$ b9 N5 C$ ]( @& w R3 S3 |music.3 h6 K- h8 G0 |2 i+ N8 `' \
Remember the Advanced Level?
7 a8 {3 E8 E0 h* UThe focus is solidly on musical goals
4 t9 ~, {( g3 F4 @) V6 c B( VThe student is motivated by these goals
) B5 {; F( i! \; iTeaching is directed at achieving these goals9 v1 E& z( y. N& M% S/ f2 x
When MUSIC is the central element in lessons, then all of the above should also apply for
# \9 Z! t. d/ X7 m# R: V- Cthe beginner and intermediate levels
) f( ] l" M6 V% b# B2 VAlthough work at the lower levels is mainly aimed at putting foundational and technical skills& o& D& Z% U, G M h" P
into place, an understanding of the musical goals can be the motivation needed to work/ Q, q( X% i3 C6 A! K
properly with problem areas.# H) z+ A1 s" ]. d
Lessons should be aimed at;& b2 i0 F; n! z6 }- f) i0 j
Enjoyment and discovery of music
M) h. k+ Y4 ~) K( f5 S3 V# X6 rBuilding general musicianship& b* k" ?' W' k; T
Good solid foundations of flute skills
6 x$ c- {6 t/ a% AThe achievement of obtainable goals' ^" g) x/ }/ q4 o& g: }; @
Building confidence and independence in the pupil
. z% o# c, m0 Y1 u/ J' H+ R4 {0 H4 K" dThe aim should be to develop intelligent, intuitive musical beings, not simply note reading# a4 x$ v& H" W3 l$ j T! w0 y0 P
flute blowing robots. At all levels the flute is the chosen tool but the subject is music. This
2 P" `5 r8 v' d+ Q8 P$ Ymeans music in all it`s forms, not a snobby hierarchy where classical is at the top and the
3 Q# [! f0 f; R, Vother forms are subordinate. I do feel however that classical technique should be central to the }: |4 `) k2 T( ^. e. l# e
teaching as this gives a good and stable starting point for the investigation of other genre. We: _; [$ |% O! ~
should set our own biases aside and guide the pupil through all types of music so that they can
$ e3 C9 |+ l% D* n0 W$ M& X0 vdecide what it is that they like.5 [- y0 `" U5 m; v9 S# R
You should always keep in mind that…
( @/ K7 {# i( V3 F g/ g2 h; j' I1 q4 EYou can`t fit a square peg into a round hole
( Z! C: E+ a. [; }You might however, over time, sand and form that peg to fit!
( j* o' } U0 d. B9 |- EThere`s no point in bashing your head against a wall. Do like Joshua at Jericho….0 Y0 Y# \+ O& o. ^4 g
9 D7 \, `8 p l; y% cUse music and take the time it takes!!+ O& h9 B6 U' x$ U/ h1 u
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
" p. v( [% x3 m e% pCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 6 -
7 Y( d5 D& D! L! uThe little people- 5-8 years
7 H7 [$ i7 m1 @+ j/ I8 ]# aWhy?
# i2 c- B- I6 L' t1 wOpen and ready
{ \$ c( {: l' C) ~' BBuild an early relationship to the: X. H: n* i% D3 \* H% ?& X) |
instrument and music
" ^9 Y7 s/ h8 P! d( jPlenty of time, no rush7 z! I/ }# C2 D- b k' p5 x' ~
Basic skills are put in place early
9 ]. q! @9 ?6 @, U* v1 VWhy not? N5 h: ^2 {' k) }5 U+ v
Find it intimidating
3 b0 e8 _ g, \2 _4 j% aEmbouchure problems
+ n1 v# P9 t8 ?) a+ w5 lSize of instrument+ ]8 n$ [+ X5 n1 y
Cost of instrument* c# Q9 t' g6 a N$ e3 J
Unable to concentrate very long
4 d- p& q! |6 P( ^) H# M9 QWeigh the “why?” against the “why not?” and then the “why not?” against the “how?”. If/ z, K8 Q& Z3 u2 Q( `4 S
there are real benefits to starting earlier than usual then adjusting the method might give a
$ U5 n8 |, V* p. @' qway ahead. You should however give good consideration as to whether any of the difficulties
T4 p v4 g5 Tin the “why not?” list can really be overcome.! M. s) }5 j1 y% ?3 V5 r
The little people- how?
! Y" u$ y0 I" Z( S# gYamaha fife6 {& | I$ b6 _ I5 T$ Z% d
Group teaching
3 o$ w( h( L O. n( t4 ~. r" dParental involvement: f0 G" g" L4 Y* ]+ U. ] Q" m9 P
Many activities- not just playing
4 a$ K. A: i2 }& \8 Y; @One thing at a time
* f! X8 [, m/ U- jPatience: u, s8 `. Z/ i9 }
Regular ”performances”1 E# O C% A }8 k8 b% A' k
FUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN
, O2 i. ]* P# X K9-11 years- The traditional beginner age
: _7 U( v& z7 G2 bSome general differences to the little people;0 `; L y" j ~/ N# e
A clearer idea of how a flute should
& X$ f4 N/ ]5 f+ H8 W6 Qsound
- L& k8 B8 i1 ~ P4 L% ?! c9 ]5 W. X6 lMuch more peer conscious
2 ]6 s( ?: [* y2 QImpatient to improve
: B& c" S8 a7 y8 }% L: y" PBecome demotivated if progress is too3 P& h; g( i, Z, i% L6 d* M
slow! N8 o2 y4 m- }2 t4 F0 U
Become demotivated if progress is too" @9 L2 C. V# e& |
fast!!& M3 O1 N: p/ Z3 I) \) S, K
Because this group has some idea of what playing a flute really is, are impatient to forge6 e! F" ~4 {/ x+ F% H7 X
ahead but at the same time are sensitive to how they measure up to their peers a fine balance
2 W' d2 `# P- Y( F- y. W; Kneeds to be made in the speed of progress.* j8 D$ v8 |& k/ U3 r6 Q- k( ?6 G! d0 ~
9-11 years- how?
' Z" d+ I6 `/ b9 t. {& M" ?Yamaha fife as a primer
& }$ e( a+ G: K0 ?( E! ORegular group lessons (unless it is
& f+ L' E& S; _ E! Iproblematic)" B- F- U. [1 W* G2 C
Parental involvement?. w8 Z9 i/ q2 m/ w/ a
Many activities- not just playing
1 U9 V# o5 M; ]% m2 LNew challenges
+ \7 j/ j. q W9 t7 yPatience
# P% {6 s7 |7 r1 }- QAllow pupil input- talk to them
* b/ }( d/ m! J- {9 wPerformances?3 [* X) X3 X( H6 i
FUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN
7 S. L5 [$ p: u( dTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels) ~) @& o7 E2 o& a7 u8 B6 T
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 7 -
' e: Z3 |) L9 Z% ^" UGroup lessons are useful as the lessons become very dynamic. However one must constantly
5 z% i1 A0 \7 Z5 u( fevaluate the usefulness against problems like one pupil falling behind or another forging( T1 Y0 v! P; k' U$ h
ahead.
j0 U" F. P" a3 jLikewise the involvement of parents and performances can help in progress and confidence
& \2 R* M0 G) P; J" T" \ Vbuilding. But some children in this age group (especially at the older end) prefer to be private
. c* w- }; }; d$ Tabout their playing and withdraw into the safety of the group. In such a situation the interest
j. f9 e5 S) x, K D: E3 [and enthusiasm of parents might be unwelcome and received in quite a hostile manner.
, _0 Z! D+ q+ Z- _" U9 K# d$ |# fPerformances can also be a problem with this sort of child, with them unwilling to play for the
2 L- ]/ |: _4 {3 D0 ]usual audience of family and peers. They will however, often be willing to play in a group
, E* `/ Q/ u! O+ x7 |6 ?setting for strangers rather than be the only who hasn`t played on a concert.
3 D4 C+ w W# L: F IAdolescence- The danger zone9 s! y) C$ T# s
Why do many suddenly quit playing, for no apparent reason, as they reach their early teens?7 u; [2 s% d+ J6 Q5 Y
Why?
m5 s" {* y+ n3 x Y7 a pA need to exercise control over their own
W' S+ O1 X! Klives?
9 t8 ^; M% f! Y BTrying to make a point with their
" n5 D; M- M5 ]parents?
: q8 t" Z# M1 hHormonal turmoil?8 M Y: F0 t+ v9 V& S- f
Changing interests?
0 ?9 n* Z9 {+ h# _) E/ U! i/ vA wish to blend in with the gang?
" Y. A1 P; G, ~/ I! xPressure of school work?. K( T9 ?/ o8 @, ^
How?
, C1 Z' k4 S) w5 J! g6 J0 WGive them some control over lesson, ~9 D' k! s4 w/ f2 i
content ?- f; z! g, M3 U: [
Cut the parents out of the loop1 W# H4 T/ j ?' c
Be friendly but keep some distance!
! q! m' e1 L9 ]Only natural that interests might change" S5 l: G8 R( X" q( n
Help them to gain status amongst their4 q3 k' M8 U/ ~, S7 r# R% Q, |! R1 ?
peers2 Z' m+ Z+ V x
Don`t pressure them about practice9 U# J. d# k6 T6 P5 S! ]0 ]7 r/ S
If you can help them through this period they will probably, v O. c; |* }; S
carry on playing for many years
) {7 M; T' H6 VSome generalisations
" Q+ W& t9 P4 _, X P" uGirls versus Boys+ W1 r- G4 e! T5 q, r
Other girls play flute
+ @5 |6 r4 N% q: }0 rEasily influenced by peer pressure* D! I9 u5 j" B* P
Better concentration and fine motoric7 t3 X$ e" P- x) p0 Q; q2 N; l+ n
skills at an earlier age q( i- a9 b9 p
Easily discouraged if they feel they are
9 I- u# b7 w1 r$ s# C1 S% d5 Hbehind in group+ u* L- N6 `5 r/ R3 O" N
Conscious and individual choice
$ a" G: a3 {6 h# G2 n, E: N4 d o4 vOpinionated
" g* ~% p5 u4 P! Z" y0 l s2 {Technically minded; fast progress driven
1 b' `: s6 Z, Q$ u- n7 Bby a need to understand h$ W# N/ U, p# Z0 i& v
Show uncertainty through disruptive
/ D5 y- U, f5 \1 ~5 k9 U" |behaviour
2 ^$ i2 N I$ zThe general reasons behind a boy or a girl choosing the flute might have some bearing on how
P2 }3 y8 A- `: I6 Byou teach the individual. In general flute is seen as a typical girl`s instrument and this means: Z" g1 _9 E1 r6 b& A
that a boy who chooses the flute has often thought long and hard about it.
5 r! _1 q2 l# P- r- e3 zLikewise the differences between the genders can also play a part in how you choose to teach
2 h5 f. o9 O0 J# a6 ^7 h" Y# Fa certain pupil. There can also be geographical differences connected to different schools. I
5 Z9 g; c$ b# I+ r, Y5 iwill often adjust my teaching style depending on which school I am at and the general way
9 Q0 g N9 [: W" R; I# g# G3 rthat children from that school interact with me.
I9 d6 [& e2 ?Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels0 u1 x' S$ o0 c4 D+ ^/ ?1 t: ]3 D
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 8 -
) |+ I: d% f# n. d6 b. bDiscipline!!+ I/ @4 w6 G1 X
Important in group teaching if it`s going to be fun
& g6 _" H& Z' A$ E9 b: |# EYou don`t need to scream and shout3 g- F$ F6 s' }! d4 K3 Z
Sometimes you don`t need to say anything at all) m/ Q& U& r$ l% ~- l
Self discipline in a group is the same as respect for the others
; d0 z. h0 ^; XPoor discipline can be a sign that you are on the wrong track. p' W1 y3 Y+ l: m; f; S# G
Discipline doesn`t need to be overt control by the teacher, but it is an important factor if
% s5 C' z G) S- T3 L, h$ ^' k. rlessons are going to be productive and fun. Many of my pupils complain that their day at7 p' i! L. W8 F+ z2 n9 U
school is tiring and sometimes stressful simply because there is so much noise in the1 J2 q/ o' |7 N) [. B, ]8 Y/ z
classroom. Some children react very badly to group disorder and things get very quickly; |0 {! x( x& G' ^5 F" `
boring and out of hand if minor discipline problems are not taken care of immediately.
5 K7 w% J+ h/ U4 ?If the group is in turmoil then your shouting “QUIET” simply adds to the noise level. If you8 c8 |; ^. |& v; r. X' T
start talking in a normal voice then chances are that the kids will quieten down because they
; c8 v/ H& e. h% @* ^! hare afraid they are missing something. Sometimes saying nothing at all, simply standing and/ E- E& k5 X7 `
waiting can have the desired effect, or to tackle a disruptive influence simply moving closer to
6 K0 m4 f1 T* Pthem or looking at them is enough." F" K+ V8 _ B0 j* y* x
One should work at making the group self-disciplining, with pupils showing respect not only
, N4 Q( p4 J) U! a' D. iyot you as a teacher but to the rest of the group. Respect of course is a two way street and by
+ K$ U* Y" [+ \7 W) \ r, ]you treating all pupils respectfully they will learn that this is the correct way to act.: F% [2 `. C& E5 L$ j; R1 k
Lessons should contain;/ R+ r6 J: \* k' b
Playing by ear/ imitation
; g% q$ a C9 r H4 y) hImprovisation/ creative work
9 o- x( a+ ]" S; j/ ?Rhythm work
; v- L8 z, M. _9 ~Polyphonic playing8 j E0 V9 Q$ a6 y( |9 d+ i E+ T7 Y( R
Theory in practice
* H" u2 @$ D! T% x: OUsing notation2 m) P6 k" {( y* F" u
Performance training/confidence- {3 k5 Z d( F: P# T. Q, }
building
# H5 h6 T) B/ t9 f' Q2 P/ j2 f4 \! BFUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN" o: s3 f9 l( H: u+ ^
PRAISE, PRAISE AND MORE PRAISE
7 K# B+ c2 c5 F- w* l9 |4 WRemember that the goal is to create musical beings. Working in a consolidation pattern will
2 [) N- T2 S2 U5 ~$ `3 {help the pupils to have “aha” experiences where they recognise what they already know. I feel; d( u s/ \4 n+ v8 N9 j% A
this is also true of theory and notation. If the child already knows something before it is
/ g8 x6 k( y1 b5 ~$ H1 i8 hintroduced in the written form then they are more likely to couple it with past experience and( a; P* Q& b" |, {7 E4 ?
remember it. This is especially true at the beginner level where I feel that notation should
+ W" Z( q* N: ^$ K, nnever be used to technically advance the child.0 F, L! A0 @, ?# i' C' ^( ^
Teaching kids is rewarding but can at times be tiring. Remember;
* P$ b* a7 R4 s' m& qPatience is a virtue% i5 r6 \& x, {( t# R: _: s
Everything comes to those who wait3 K& i+ K7 j k
And finally…………………….
( O3 H) Q9 Z8 A$ T' Z' LIf it ain`t no fun then what`s the point!?! |
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