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Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 1 -0 E2 z3 Y. \% F: U
Teaching Flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
! R3 g' m. \. Z$ N& B9 O4 n2 \Beginner Level;
( k6 U2 O8 Z6 P4 |' |, r& [, L8 eThe basics of playing
( ~- k1 f1 U) z0 T6 yThe basics of music7 X2 E) H) ~7 S4 I7 O" x9 }
Foundational skills are put into place.* k2 }/ u% O2 ]
In this period the pupil has to work and think very hard about what they are doing as habits2 M% n5 `9 ?: X. L* c; C: B& Y
are still forming. In around the 3rd year playing becomes easier and more natural and
" Y! C0 z! d m ^progress becomes faster, as the pupil enters the intermediate level.
1 t6 ~& e- G" u& v" uIntermediate Level;
% C( `' \2 K1 ?7 L( FFoundational skills are honed and expanded in relation to the playing of music. I see the/ B. F J/ \0 A7 G2 C# o
beginner level as lasting for around the first 3 years of playing.' i* L- n' Z2 z c% M4 b
So I see the difference between beginner and intermediate more in how the pupil handles the
9 e: w2 B$ U2 Mflute rather than the level of difficulty in the music they are playing.
' Z6 d3 e, Y. m( E+ e2 OPoor habits that are allowed to form at the beginner stage and carried over to intermediate will
+ j7 k! U4 e) j( a: y+ G6 Bneed a lot of work and might never be eradicated. They may instead need to be developed for5 w. [/ C" J$ G" M) a! h4 n7 E( q
that pupil`s needs. An example of this would be a side blown embouchure, which for some, is" c2 w1 ~6 P/ E
a result of facial characteristics (i.e. best suited to side blown) but for many is a result of poor
8 D/ ?- A2 ]( ?5 K6 N) ~3 N! Z- [$ kposture and flute position being left unattended at the beginner level./ c/ q; |0 J. p1 p1 H6 {- W- ]
What about Advanced Level?
+ l+ Y" K6 m1 j- \* L8 C/ p$ lThe focus is solidly on musical goals
% |9 T" ~* `; qThe student is motivated by these goals
& A( U8 r5 `7 Y2 ?+ ~Teaching is directed at achieving these goals8 U" D1 J2 h2 q9 l3 M2 l) l
Lesson content at the Advanced Level is in many ways pre-defined by the goal and not the
( W9 e8 V3 x6 k- Y' fteacher.; x& `$ M; v( X( L3 Q m" b
At the advanced level motivation for mastery of the instrument comes for a large degree from
; j4 u+ s5 C* l6 b `. ~the student`s wish to achieve musical goals. The student will in most cases tell the teacher0 h8 |$ d5 N" [' r8 i- T7 [
what they wish to achieve and the teacher will give help and guidance. The teacher takes on# G+ {8 ^( `- I
much more of a role as mentor while much of the responsibility for progress and direction has! f' o% p" z; G6 I
passed on to the student. For this reason we can disregard the Advanced level in this lecture.
8 L% X* o( R0 iTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
4 ~# y' {7 Y9 R1 D1 ]. Z/ F! c. B- ACopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 2 -
* W2 o$ q6 u! \2 ZBut first a little philosophy……Or……..How to get out of and avoid the rut.
' G- d8 w& ] D; u* k' P. S1 c- V+ aWe all have our own musical, artistic, aesthetic and pedagogic philosophies. This is what
! I7 A* u0 d+ |$ ^' o) }3 J6 w0 v: m6 yforms us into individuals and as we develop, so do our philosophies (and of course vice6 y, z' H7 W6 K6 e1 x W9 |* `
versa). As a performing artist needs development to avoid stagnating, so does the teacher. If
, w) r' q/ |/ lwe get bogged down in the routine rut of doing things the same way, with all pupils, year after7 b) l) }8 E3 P9 I" Y
year we will cease to develop and grow and like all living organisms, once we stop growing' f& ?/ N2 z9 R5 w
we start decaying.
4 W5 Z- \8 B0 Y& R9 R4 ZThis doesn`t mean that there is no place for applying experience, or that one should discard
5 M9 P. l0 k) a+ g. o# `1 Smethods or techniques that are successful, simply that one should keep an open mind for new
/ S1 g7 G8 p2 Nideas and avoid getting complacent.% ]) d' Y! n& b* F: D, F$ I
The Practical triangle
' d: @0 X' d( g( c! k0 J5 m7 _5 YThe triangle represents the different levels
# |' k6 L7 p. W* C }. U$ zof practical application in teaching
, ~) J) V# f) Z& L
8 |7 z2 u; _% [( }6 b5 f0 Y! n2 fThe practical triangle is an aid used when engaged in guidance counselling of pedagogic, @0 H1 z0 y/ ?3 F# B
students, while they are gaining practical experience. It is designed to help them discover
3 b. ?8 h! Q# z/ o# Q5 G, [2 wwhat knowledge and experience they are already in possession of and how this might be
. |6 [8 P; i! G% L8 r0 Mapplied to the task in hand.
: ~ q( x; @$ h3 c) qThe levels explained;8 A& {8 G, c# P3 r, m* Y4 l. Y8 F
P3 Aesthetic/artistic reasons
q- V( }, ]7 k- s( ^8 ^& Q/ w" BP2 Your reasons for this based on education and experience" o: D6 `4 c1 y5 T" J5 [ T# L
P1 What you are doing
) D" w+ K+ g' L6 p7 h* C! y2 x: AThis tool can be useful in any application to gain perspective over a new and challenging task+ Y5 f2 b, ~8 W
or simply to take stock of what one is doing now.) n' }1 b0 {0 y c4 V
Put simply; what, how, why?# L1 b/ n/ m' |5 E S
For young students with little experience the first 2 levels are the most important, to avoid
" N" O: l% l! Pgetting bogged down or overdue influence from the aesthetical side. Students as we know will
2 Z' R; i5 X+ j# a8 b" Poften have very strong ideas and principals, but as we mature and gain experience we become
4 Z9 }0 Y. U a(hopefully) more flexible. This is something to keep in mind but for a more experienced
2 [2 J: h/ e( Wteacher/player, especially as we are working in an art form, the importance of the levels will$ i! W: ~3 w* e$ [! h3 K
be more equal.
% ~/ ]& y8 `7 PA word or two on Aesthetics) D4 k; S& r0 R0 r
Aesthetic reasoning is more than pure artistic influence. It could be;! K; e- d0 B8 S9 P& f6 i! s6 ]/ g$ z
The music school policy or goals- G( u- S# o9 a9 n$ M* p2 @& |
”my teacher always did it like that”5 A4 n' u$ z$ f/ C
Cultural influence
: j- ^6 }# Q1 K1 T5 Q$ v. M2 uEtc.: c; Y- d) t8 K1 `, k3 S1 I* Q/ r
Aesthetic reasons are often based on personal baggage!' b2 n& A4 b0 D6 L
P2& @) f' {/ W G! Y
P3$ S: K0 q+ @8 W# J6 N1 C) p
P1
+ |6 p1 i+ Y; P/ p, M; OTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels, i$ J- @2 G8 c0 ^& i- e
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 3 -
8 r1 b7 G4 m, mAesthetics will always play a role in everything we do. If we try to be aware of their influence" Q8 h: G! u# o3 u* O
it can be easier to be objective about what we are doing. This doesn`t mean that the
0 `# \) k) \6 n$ O! k# j; h R/ Limportance of aesthetics should be discarded, just that their often hidden influence should be
& S1 ~( B; ]* J. Xbrought to the surface and examined. The last point regarding personal baggage is not# ~2 ?+ g, e9 `; Q
necessarily negative, it should simply be kept in mind when examining why you want to do, i" `, `+ Q4 M
something a certain way.4 J3 f, r" P, N+ `
Circle of Philosophy
2 L, s; `- t% Z( p' |6 u2 ^3 n# EThe Circle of Philosophy represents
/ D0 x3 d. z! B4 s$ `5 n6 za constant process of evaluation for the teacher.4 W- |3 n6 e; b1 ?% y, {
5 ? U' c. t+ u3 U9 WOne`s own methods and motives need to be examined in relation to the task% Q0 o. m( u4 {, L
A circle is perhaps a better illustration of how the ”levels” relate to each other with regard to
8 r- ]2 V; Z! x/ d( @& W/ H) _the teaching of a musical instrument. One can start at any point, for any task and work5 z9 Z( M0 v9 F, X8 v) }- l
backwards and forwards between the sections to gain a better perspective.' ] [3 X& n, d4 ] z
The question ”why” can just as easily be replaced with…….Why not?
: K0 F, ~- @) o. r& b- w' [: X
o* e/ Q: _' YAre there elements in ”what?” or ”how?” that solve ”why not?”?
' u% m( A8 B. ]* AThis sort of instance arises if one is going to attempt something unusual. Are there really
; C: y4 S* ]7 d9 b; Y2 p; Lreasons why it can`t (or shouldn`t) be done? Again one can start anywhere and work in any
& x5 W4 F: u0 \# odirection but it is likely that one will be working mostly between how? and why not? Of2 u1 [0 ?+ L% C( y3 X A- N/ M' r
course ”why?” can still be included in the circle. If there are problems then maybe changing4 U a. \$ c2 G3 S3 N
the method will open the way. In this case we will have gone from what? to why not? to( q) ?0 `6 P# g. G9 l
how?, back to why? and back to how? again and finally to what? The task, or tools might* i7 k$ \# D( A9 D0 W2 G
have changed slightly in the process of choosing a method." c- P1 d! M: {1 E
”Why?” and ”why not?” are two sides of the same question!
$ S1 @2 W( Y' k7 R; T! _2 e' Y/ mThe solution to ”why not?”may already be there in the circle.
. b5 i4 A! E1 H4 z( g/ x! R( d# f$ u5 b”Why?” and ”why not?” can be used as simple questions or as the start of a list of reasons to5 ~$ z7 A4 F& @4 Q
justify something. This change of perspective will greatly influence their role in the process.
8 M% D F. N# u) n, Z% I! @- u”Why not” can be used both as justification for trying something or as a reason why it might% I# v$ h; H Y1 @5 W6 o0 P- N8 i+ s
be better not to.
) U( N1 ^) V6 V" z! [: Y: tWhy?
9 j" h7 h; |2 m+ ^) H8 U) ?7 KWhat? How?
. d. G- w% [- Q: ]5 Y; uTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels% R$ `3 _9 z+ K
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 4 -
# ^# m; U+ T8 fAt last…………What? Teaching the flute at the beginner and intermediate levels!3 ^7 F# l! w* Z7 t- E) W3 i( u
Why? Research shows that playing an instrument;
2 n* k- n9 ?5 @/ ?7 d/ O! e% v/ k0 v" B9 u ]8 I; F9 V
Improves cognitive progress/ P3 k* g! u! h% m2 \6 S
Improves co-ordination and fine motoric. W6 X( t) h x8 F2 u0 J9 z
skills
. X8 w/ v7 I8 L6 N, |1 ?* WImproves visualisation skills
1 P8 g. N; G: L5 a7 kVastly improves academic skills2 s) h7 I: k( [+ U
Raises social awareness
; U- j( o+ b' f+ H. bImproves self image0 Z4 Q+ q' q2 K2 r7 S6 ^+ `
Builds confidence& o: P' s9 j2 o+ J1 v6 R
Will make the child a natural leader and Q C, T" h( f( g9 V) I# i
who knows, maybe President of the USA/ [1 o9 }% v$ g
one fine day!!' O& Y" y7 [3 A
There is a lot of of research done (much of it in the USA) into how playing an instrument and
# m, h1 t/ e! L* ibeing involved in music programmes affects the child`s development. Some of this research is# A( ^) M$ s7 e' i* m: j* y$ I1 N
of direct use to us as pedagogues as it maps out learning processes.
' `8 }& c7 ]4 A% n1 HThat said, one should keep in mind;* a6 _4 O7 ^& O2 d* }: ^( u* E
They are political justifications for investment in music programmes and not reasons for# b+ ]8 j& l* w& ?6 [& T
teaching the flute2 G* ?4 g* A1 N. P
Much of this research comes as a result of the limited resources used in music education.6 w& B! I5 [4 n% r3 ~5 E% ?
They need to show that they are ”useful” to get funding) }6 s! Q$ W! p. m* U! Z
While these points may be of interest politically, they have nothing to do with the
9 ], l; [/ R5 M9 Iphilosophy of a musical instrument pedagogue$ m; W( X6 W: S8 _/ l6 v1 d
The research in a large part has been done to justify the ”usefulness” of music programmes2 J% m8 h7 I! h& y
and education in a materialistic world where everything must be measured and quantified.6 ^ I% D1 i+ D5 L) r& L6 ]9 _
Where everyone is fighting for funding music can no longer just be for music`s sake, it must2 W' y. q0 p/ m% d" P; p
be balanced up and shown to be a magical and jolly useful thing.* {; _- H8 e( @/ y( J3 I! H
In the short term we need to play this game if we are to get necessary funding, but in the long
; p! d$ S2 z4 J/ Q, k7 e! F5 f) x, iterm we need to work to have music accepted simply for music`s sake. If we fail to do this- m8 t; o% @+ L3 {* x5 l0 z
then the importance of music and the Arts will be slowly, but surely eroded.; S9 k* P5 R2 Z6 m. O2 S: S
Why should we be teaching flute to kids?
- n* p0 g4 s! d8 JTo train the next generation of musicians and thereby ensure the continuity of our Art and
* R& S# i: ?1 B! I4 p4 t7 yit`s central place in society.
s; j v# m; r( I5 b, STo foster eager amateurs, who love and understand music. To ensure a new generation of) G1 S8 N x3 B7 z
concert goers and patrons of the Arts.
0 U7 G; p7 [4 c) l& _, ]: xOf course we need to be training the musicians of the future but should this really be our main
) Z0 P" b8 B/ B4 w1 Cconcern? There are already too many musicians being trained for too few jobs. We need to
( Z$ A, U. A+ P4 o j9 xconcentrate on the second group much more. By taking more care of the ”average” pupils and! ^2 j/ Q' s! G4 f3 F
inspiring them, rather than bullying them to work harder or quit, we will hopefully have a
. U* W1 I0 }2 O5 | h2 C( f6 ]future filled with concert goers and voters who care about where the Arts figure in politics8 v! V: C, ~( X% @* G$ l
and the enrichment of society as a whole. If we only make programmes that favour future! J7 \' _2 x7 u: K$ R0 x% L+ ]
musicians then those pupils will graduate into a world of ever decreasing job possibilities
* z0 Z6 m/ L: S: N" G$ ^(much like now).
. {2 N+ q b' FIf the second group is missing then the first simply becomes a cry in the materialistic
2 D) F6 h7 }5 Y; ^wilderness.
% C5 b- q' R! r3 ^Never underestimate the power and importance of the general public in the future of the Arts
5 B( @' |2 o1 ]3 G/ n6 ]Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
; U) m5 U) {/ o! z$ p: _Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 5 -. |& N. l3 W7 w! @( y: N) {
Only with a large and eager public, across all classes can music get the necessary funding.! w/ q4 M1 {: o3 z7 M q% a& m3 b6 X
The early experiences are what will have most influence on an individual`s later relationship, X& E3 V. J5 p" T3 U9 Z* k1 _
to music and as a music pedagogue it is YOU who will influence and secure the future of
" z9 E4 } q7 nmusic.! w. J0 C1 H$ D1 O4 M( T! V& m0 {
Remember the Advanced Level?
) o9 w/ D% e' r$ }) h3 k% @The focus is solidly on musical goals
# u! V( b% X% `' BThe student is motivated by these goals' ~6 S& _9 y5 L* T
Teaching is directed at achieving these goals3 i7 d2 s- z; c2 p/ U5 ]
When MUSIC is the central element in lessons, then all of the above should also apply for
! i0 e( T( O7 x8 a+ ~. Tthe beginner and intermediate levels6 k) \' j. f, w9 E; @
Although work at the lower levels is mainly aimed at putting foundational and technical skills* T+ w* \. ]! G' Y
into place, an understanding of the musical goals can be the motivation needed to work
+ ^6 ^9 q2 {4 r! F; pproperly with problem areas.
4 T8 r) |! q: t) wLessons should be aimed at;2 V v u4 |7 L' S' z* ^& O- C
Enjoyment and discovery of music
2 E4 _. i# i6 I: i" R. J) H- FBuilding general musicianship: f! O8 K8 J2 T7 n% W) c4 \5 B( M& V
Good solid foundations of flute skills
" b$ L* A' t e- o7 X7 A. G* `$ wThe achievement of obtainable goals& J7 D8 K# {2 R; ~& A
Building confidence and independence in the pupil
4 o" V' p0 x: I S7 ^5 o' S5 ?3 BThe aim should be to develop intelligent, intuitive musical beings, not simply note reading
2 X! \: G" j! |) [0 m5 d9 Q aflute blowing robots. At all levels the flute is the chosen tool but the subject is music. This
5 J2 B, M1 C: w Y' R* _) L p* Zmeans music in all it`s forms, not a snobby hierarchy where classical is at the top and the& \. U! Z* W& J" [/ {" G0 i. I: n
other forms are subordinate. I do feel however that classical technique should be central to the
! r: k4 ~+ }! [6 ]/ ~teaching as this gives a good and stable starting point for the investigation of other genre. We4 h8 u: C* `% r! o; H+ j6 R
should set our own biases aside and guide the pupil through all types of music so that they can
4 P/ e. u" }4 gdecide what it is that they like.. q4 Y1 W5 f8 l) h, t
You should always keep in mind that…
$ x) E* u2 O; R3 o6 m% RYou can`t fit a square peg into a round hole
, W: P# {( m3 l, i5 u5 }1 \You might however, over time, sand and form that peg to fit!
0 A4 K5 v- |; D$ P& G* p, EThere`s no point in bashing your head against a wall. Do like Joshua at Jericho….
, @. `5 o6 x3 Z' [! o
, |) F1 ]2 g4 w5 W4 E9 FUse music and take the time it takes!!
. J4 e9 ?% g: [+ Q& ?Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
U3 O. P9 M _: RCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 6 -; \4 O8 B9 j5 Z1 M' W
The little people- 5-8 years
$ k+ a6 i" h' |- k, BWhy?; K8 z3 H' P# l; @
Open and ready e% U) ^, O- i( W& |1 [
Build an early relationship to the
e, n" L4 {' m2 xinstrument and music( O5 \& ]- T! H. j+ f
Plenty of time, no rush
& l3 g$ m0 n- A) ^6 ^Basic skills are put in place early! C8 ]. [) B" f# q
Why not?
% Q& q9 |, P' k: u- cFind it intimidating
6 ^; R& I- L4 `% {Embouchure problems7 N: c& }8 P0 f$ @
Size of instrument
! I+ S8 k1 l6 i% S# ZCost of instrument, ~3 E3 A4 s. X
Unable to concentrate very long
) P" X' z/ e$ h( R% z$ y. ]7 [; RWeigh the “why?” against the “why not?” and then the “why not?” against the “how?”. If
- ]6 J# K. ]+ U) K. D! Ithere are real benefits to starting earlier than usual then adjusting the method might give a
0 L) }) d' V0 b9 \way ahead. You should however give good consideration as to whether any of the difficulties
: @: u4 f3 t ]+ |! p Hin the “why not?” list can really be overcome.- C1 v* Q, M/ x' x$ |. V% j% r
The little people- how?
3 Y/ c6 S" m. IYamaha fife5 }( B6 A' w+ d+ A
Group teaching( l9 s9 S' Y* v, m
Parental involvement
t3 g% P: K) }! p0 L4 \' kMany activities- not just playing( h3 O' N- w3 f1 G6 X5 i
One thing at a time
3 c5 L% n. o) u0 i6 N& I2 n/ jPatience
2 v9 p. k c- y6 F8 V1 @/ bRegular ”performances”$ N% U9 h o; B8 O( {& o- ^+ \
FUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN4 q. g4 K7 m; q) u0 m/ \1 n2 q
9-11 years- The traditional beginner age- {1 S a; t" @3 T( o5 q# v3 g8 m
Some general differences to the little people;
4 Q0 T* t6 f0 l5 |0 NA clearer idea of how a flute should
+ M3 k8 q& S' Y+ Y7 a3 c' Ssound7 w% x/ z( G% _1 ]7 @6 l( }
Much more peer conscious/ F4 J3 E7 t8 L+ R
Impatient to improve
- `5 j- f7 B3 i+ ~5 cBecome demotivated if progress is too
2 Y3 i3 {( c+ b0 A/ x2 l& tslow y. k0 c2 X+ K# h; L/ n
Become demotivated if progress is too3 |- k" W- Y9 Z9 O8 m4 V! p! J
fast!!( V+ n( ^! A* a3 n" r3 c$ a4 N
Because this group has some idea of what playing a flute really is, are impatient to forge
# [" v" \+ T6 {* g5 Eahead but at the same time are sensitive to how they measure up to their peers a fine balance( T! X) ^- S" I: j* e) @
needs to be made in the speed of progress.3 n# l" ]# }6 l; b2 G- `# ]
9-11 years- how?) \% j$ r4 M( g: ~" t
Yamaha fife as a primer
$ B h$ N- M- H1 F1 s$ uRegular group lessons (unless it is: p$ }- Y* w6 d+ I; m
problematic)2 l& l8 E5 }9 h
Parental involvement?5 k! t! ?5 t: a" c
Many activities- not just playing
( Y+ j7 {% ~$ ~( |New challenges+ v' P' T; x9 i) Q* x5 m, h" j( I
Patience
# @" e: ^) h- V. c, }- @/ q5 w$ {Allow pupil input- talk to them
( i) K! a) O9 D: f) Z* D' s4 bPerformances?
3 ~9 u2 @! f! k2 _; sFUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN$ f( A2 H8 b9 i
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
) p$ \6 G9 @' ]! b, D6 j W8 FCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 7 -" d7 g1 s5 Z+ T% ?6 Z
Group lessons are useful as the lessons become very dynamic. However one must constantly
4 O( i! v- I# i% o* P, a6 Zevaluate the usefulness against problems like one pupil falling behind or another forging
) b/ _, n% |4 aahead.; f% Z9 O! ]. Z. N' P0 @' n$ m" ^
Likewise the involvement of parents and performances can help in progress and confidence" D# D2 B) d5 ]7 q( D* |7 d
building. But some children in this age group (especially at the older end) prefer to be private
/ z X" z- A- d& t V7 O+ E6 yabout their playing and withdraw into the safety of the group. In such a situation the interest% e0 ?, `1 A* j2 j1 q7 ^
and enthusiasm of parents might be unwelcome and received in quite a hostile manner.( v; C! D3 h( g- t3 W5 D/ n2 S3 ~, ]. W
Performances can also be a problem with this sort of child, with them unwilling to play for the, u2 y8 k' o" z7 X+ p
usual audience of family and peers. They will however, often be willing to play in a group
: \3 M5 G3 e I( m! w* Gsetting for strangers rather than be the only who hasn`t played on a concert.* ]9 \/ \! y R- J3 |5 E
Adolescence- The danger zone
3 T% f$ X# {0 tWhy do many suddenly quit playing, for no apparent reason, as they reach their early teens?/ I$ a8 D* \6 B3 `$ S8 U; d5 }! f
Why?
' E7 V" _4 s& w7 L: [( S# `7 xA need to exercise control over their own
5 p' _4 o7 C0 T: Olives?
1 ^; p& r# B; y5 A4 f3 ZTrying to make a point with their7 _' ~0 v/ ]9 a- X3 ]
parents? Z, |- y% ~, o, k
Hormonal turmoil?
( ^$ {1 r2 p3 `Changing interests?, z C/ |- Y* v. \/ g6 f+ @# ]
A wish to blend in with the gang?" E3 m& s( N& N2 U$ Z- O' x7 v0 h
Pressure of school work?9 g+ Q X' O* T# [/ E
How?* R% h' S& u- W) v" k7 D* j {% A. m
Give them some control over lesson
' @" B& t, `; _- ` V1 g0 Ncontent
6 N6 _) p* l& j+ |' BCut the parents out of the loop/ p+ V0 f' J# m8 ?
Be friendly but keep some distance!# c8 Z0 x. _- u0 f
Only natural that interests might change
' I& g, q% F( ?" O: yHelp them to gain status amongst their( f9 }8 d# l$ t( P8 k6 H F1 T- s
peers" X0 n' _% S* V u; I9 A2 O( V2 S
Don`t pressure them about practice
3 v) S, Z* X$ `If you can help them through this period they will probably H+ z- x( V2 |" n
carry on playing for many years
1 J3 I( o' b- R+ b+ v- P: VSome generalisations
' I% O" O5 f9 T& WGirls versus Boys2 P( X% K/ g+ ?* E
Other girls play flute
x# ~0 ]- U' A- L! b/ kEasily influenced by peer pressure
* M. g( p, \( [6 y! iBetter concentration and fine motoric
5 q; O( H7 p1 ~7 Pskills at an earlier age# K- D$ L \: S# J9 j4 U; Y
Easily discouraged if they feel they are7 J+ Z* V1 _, T1 {5 f1 y5 ?! [/ N
behind in group
8 Y/ y) f# s RConscious and individual choice
) f' M# ^& [& E% x9 u" y' KOpinionated! { X, z6 l6 p9 t% q, h1 \. P9 E6 ^
Technically minded; fast progress driven1 a% F j( D/ W: [6 W6 q/ V
by a need to understand
) r/ T" T" F, P. \( U5 z# aShow uncertainty through disruptive
. f/ @- e- k9 Z) p- J' hbehaviour4 O5 \% N( u! S9 C$ t7 Q; T
The general reasons behind a boy or a girl choosing the flute might have some bearing on how
8 \( r, z; p. j, D2 qyou teach the individual. In general flute is seen as a typical girl`s instrument and this means
8 |' U! `% S4 T: U7 mthat a boy who chooses the flute has often thought long and hard about it.2 }: W# }! q- r* _% N
Likewise the differences between the genders can also play a part in how you choose to teach! d, m! N8 E+ J& V* f
a certain pupil. There can also be geographical differences connected to different schools. I
! g; n( Y9 M9 l1 H( kwill often adjust my teaching style depending on which school I am at and the general way
0 `( j% ?* y' S4 v. _, p6 q0 k. Sthat children from that school interact with me.
4 p$ W& ]4 s5 C0 F1 h7 bTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
2 F& k3 t1 m: h- m S, w; `Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 8 -
% y0 ^, v" O& r% P2 Y# }4 dDiscipline!!& L% N/ g0 g- w! p
Important in group teaching if it`s going to be fun m9 s! C" g0 H
You don`t need to scream and shout- A4 ]% ~9 \- b6 F) q- L
Sometimes you don`t need to say anything at all
$ [* l5 E" b5 @, Z" C9 BSelf discipline in a group is the same as respect for the others% \- D2 F. \/ ~! g
Poor discipline can be a sign that you are on the wrong track+ U+ P/ T) \6 f% p$ z
Discipline doesn`t need to be overt control by the teacher, but it is an important factor if
* c2 ~: ~: S* ?, qlessons are going to be productive and fun. Many of my pupils complain that their day at
1 o9 a* ? T5 g; k0 Cschool is tiring and sometimes stressful simply because there is so much noise in the% [ p4 G; O) G1 \) j' N6 Q! w8 c2 P
classroom. Some children react very badly to group disorder and things get very quickly2 T- H( ]: K1 g/ }% O1 x
boring and out of hand if minor discipline problems are not taken care of immediately.
! ~2 q, K2 J" k) b7 j: ZIf the group is in turmoil then your shouting “QUIET” simply adds to the noise level. If you4 @# ]! [4 q; x+ r
start talking in a normal voice then chances are that the kids will quieten down because they# x [0 G4 c5 E
are afraid they are missing something. Sometimes saying nothing at all, simply standing and
0 y' K1 Z- f- E, f; awaiting can have the desired effect, or to tackle a disruptive influence simply moving closer to9 d+ d, W. ?+ f
them or looking at them is enough.
$ g x9 I' @3 r! Q) Y0 FOne should work at making the group self-disciplining, with pupils showing respect not only" g/ o8 \$ }7 p" N
yot you as a teacher but to the rest of the group. Respect of course is a two way street and by' j- A% q- k/ m& i: t7 }5 o
you treating all pupils respectfully they will learn that this is the correct way to act.; i3 T+ G: s! ?* w- S0 x) \
Lessons should contain;
4 u0 k5 ^. X7 F) e, W5 mPlaying by ear/ imitation
( b+ Q9 o5 K) ?: EImprovisation/ creative work; I" h @/ ? P0 Q4 A! G1 g
Rhythm work
3 |& m2 e0 b* @7 n% o" }Polyphonic playing
7 {5 w! A- X1 B$ {- R8 L K) W, hTheory in practice/ u+ Q* G9 ?3 J+ z+ V
Using notation
5 I7 Q8 Q1 [0 uPerformance training/confidence
$ D" }2 M# t; l7 {building
; O" p. [9 {8 S/ C" M" vFUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN
6 N; r, q: @/ W* XPRAISE, PRAISE AND MORE PRAISE& b* @8 k2 X' g0 P; J" _
Remember that the goal is to create musical beings. Working in a consolidation pattern will
6 y% f; @$ c! @, Rhelp the pupils to have “aha” experiences where they recognise what they already know. I feel- L/ R' A C7 ?& h; f( d3 P
this is also true of theory and notation. If the child already knows something before it is# P( A3 L h5 |( S
introduced in the written form then they are more likely to couple it with past experience and/ W( P+ G& f7 {7 Z- m! y
remember it. This is especially true at the beginner level where I feel that notation should3 Q# O# C- f" e& s" q% s
never be used to technically advance the child.$ D$ J) O- \" o( P
Teaching kids is rewarding but can at times be tiring. Remember;
3 } _' M7 d+ y6 O( @* ~+ bPatience is a virtue( t3 {" Q5 a4 K! Z+ W2 p
Everything comes to those who wait: |0 _. m1 e3 g! S) Y
And finally…………………….5 a/ k% g3 l* k2 v. G
If it ain`t no fun then what`s the point!?! |
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