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Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 1 -9 g% [- E6 u# B0 v1 ?9 _2 x
Teaching Flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
C6 i7 j3 G) D B: Z( \Beginner Level;' \, I; R: O9 y' P3 V5 q5 z8 k! F( S
The basics of playing+ L- j# O; C1 e$ ~. C
The basics of music. p$ T' ~7 D' Y. ~
Foundational skills are put into place.
4 u/ l8 V& B4 i" W+ {- g: CIn this period the pupil has to work and think very hard about what they are doing as habits5 l! R; F4 H- I8 Y2 E& l5 T
are still forming. In around the 3rd year playing becomes easier and more natural and
/ h- u6 r$ q5 @% mprogress becomes faster, as the pupil enters the intermediate level.
. U$ h# E0 v1 {) @Intermediate Level;) W' J% X- V6 {2 j
Foundational skills are honed and expanded in relation to the playing of music. I see the P& X# c0 P# i- C& m3 o$ o
beginner level as lasting for around the first 3 years of playing.
" X5 ~, ~$ U* B# o5 m" c. }6 qSo I see the difference between beginner and intermediate more in how the pupil handles the2 e- g. E$ q7 i5 ?
flute rather than the level of difficulty in the music they are playing.
# F2 j- w& a: X( m) y8 ^Poor habits that are allowed to form at the beginner stage and carried over to intermediate will
7 |- {0 g6 u$ {1 E5 \) Nneed a lot of work and might never be eradicated. They may instead need to be developed for
7 |( |+ x( B% e S' Vthat pupil`s needs. An example of this would be a side blown embouchure, which for some, is
9 l# A5 B6 [0 l. oa result of facial characteristics (i.e. best suited to side blown) but for many is a result of poor
, `; F! o9 q& v. t4 R/ ]posture and flute position being left unattended at the beginner level.2 n' Y7 e+ E8 `1 t$ ` E* i
What about Advanced Level?
+ ^6 _! O7 T" q q5 j C: \5 SThe focus is solidly on musical goals5 b m/ O# s! U, K. q' M/ S
The student is motivated by these goals; W1 j6 G% l7 ~# Z$ {- U% e
Teaching is directed at achieving these goals0 T' I' L! G/ j! }) ]
Lesson content at the Advanced Level is in many ways pre-defined by the goal and not the
# Y/ s! Y+ M* f+ O9 s. }" S- Wteacher.
7 h; B5 \: _/ ^& r6 T, R* jAt the advanced level motivation for mastery of the instrument comes for a large degree from4 b9 c& q2 ~( ]7 Y7 |
the student`s wish to achieve musical goals. The student will in most cases tell the teacher
! ^% d* i& P! ~: Hwhat they wish to achieve and the teacher will give help and guidance. The teacher takes on
# W* w1 Q' N& P0 d7 Zmuch more of a role as mentor while much of the responsibility for progress and direction has% ]$ O4 n! h" u4 x- s& v+ d
passed on to the student. For this reason we can disregard the Advanced level in this lecture.3 g7 R% V! P5 c" M- Y
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels! z2 b* k& `2 z, @
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 2 -
8 `8 I, w+ h4 \ y; y# \But first a little philosophy……Or……..How to get out of and avoid the rut.
6 @& w% [% B1 q/ }2 w! `We all have our own musical, artistic, aesthetic and pedagogic philosophies. This is what
$ p( {2 L& Q" Z, L& zforms us into individuals and as we develop, so do our philosophies (and of course vice, g7 e" A( Y+ C8 w6 C% h
versa). As a performing artist needs development to avoid stagnating, so does the teacher. If
7 ~6 z1 b' F" F( hwe get bogged down in the routine rut of doing things the same way, with all pupils, year after: I! i4 @9 [% s6 v
year we will cease to develop and grow and like all living organisms, once we stop growing: N+ D8 B: A9 z) u$ ~' Z
we start decaying.7 c. N( Y, T( T' m
This doesn`t mean that there is no place for applying experience, or that one should discard* \# j, w& i6 m! r0 R
methods or techniques that are successful, simply that one should keep an open mind for new
4 k8 x& P: f x& |# jideas and avoid getting complacent.- ?1 ] G: ]3 m9 k/ S
The Practical triangle+ }' _" |6 }' m. c
The triangle represents the different levels
' _$ C% f5 c1 l5 H: Cof practical application in teaching
1 J, r4 \* ?5 [1 h* T, @3 U: C# k+ w8 M; V
The practical triangle is an aid used when engaged in guidance counselling of pedagogic
% W: j5 s7 [ c6 x8 bstudents, while they are gaining practical experience. It is designed to help them discover
$ J, c/ w. ^! l& w$ }9 x4 cwhat knowledge and experience they are already in possession of and how this might be( z& ^7 }7 I5 Q$ i0 |2 P7 V
applied to the task in hand.- O+ `$ c1 L' C9 T0 S8 h0 h. ]+ n
The levels explained;
- \' ^( H5 o0 T. r% G. b* UP3 Aesthetic/artistic reasons
! V' ~ W. n% T/ k+ |P2 Your reasons for this based on education and experience0 m: V( y; p, c5 V; g8 ?7 t+ ~! i
P1 What you are doing
+ i. c/ y I& k7 FThis tool can be useful in any application to gain perspective over a new and challenging task
' \8 { x d3 B7 D% F" k+ oor simply to take stock of what one is doing now.
. X" n1 W; G* y: j5 `5 nPut simply; what, how, why?, G+ u1 \* `: {' G% b
For young students with little experience the first 2 levels are the most important, to avoid
i* D# G4 @! o% K5 ]0 B$ bgetting bogged down or overdue influence from the aesthetical side. Students as we know will
- W4 A6 {2 W. `% H/ v7 o5 M( Roften have very strong ideas and principals, but as we mature and gain experience we become
& [ ]7 s4 l+ V(hopefully) more flexible. This is something to keep in mind but for a more experienced/ b6 c0 A8 q; V; A: G A1 q
teacher/player, especially as we are working in an art form, the importance of the levels will
8 r" z9 U+ x- dbe more equal.
, n9 @$ E( b5 l" G& [+ EA word or two on Aesthetics! Y' Q* P0 K1 S9 `# ?' X
Aesthetic reasoning is more than pure artistic influence. It could be;
" O3 O, ~$ d IThe music school policy or goals
: q: h; E; Q! u. A”my teacher always did it like that”, f$ K( y6 E, u& P1 f+ I% Z
Cultural influence
. r( b# @/ {$ R/ BEtc.+ ]( E( `2 e4 J4 l
Aesthetic reasons are often based on personal baggage!8 w0 D- f' i: V5 C2 K I; T
P21 h ^3 J* i, r3 ^! ~
P3) X% }3 D- t! s6 h, q
P12 U3 B" a; O% W' I% I4 I# E* D
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels' L1 h/ N- y% Y: [+ e8 h( H
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 3 -
: c' _, h/ ~* U) [. sAesthetics will always play a role in everything we do. If we try to be aware of their influence) W! `& ?5 u# |8 P0 j
it can be easier to be objective about what we are doing. This doesn`t mean that the
7 m9 e7 A/ Q& [# _( e& \; Wimportance of aesthetics should be discarded, just that their often hidden influence should be" N4 f2 O) o' E* A6 D
brought to the surface and examined. The last point regarding personal baggage is not
6 D$ Q% s4 s* _1 q! O8 b3 Ynecessarily negative, it should simply be kept in mind when examining why you want to do
: p0 U0 }( T( g7 S( V6 B8 }something a certain way.% B6 ^( Q* c. b1 z/ h
Circle of Philosophy
( R( P$ S8 `0 l8 x/ \2 O3 kThe Circle of Philosophy represents- B: J) |+ ?( {# u
a constant process of evaluation for the teacher.
2 Z% e- z& k. I. K& F) ^# D* d: ` c3 P2 b
One`s own methods and motives need to be examined in relation to the task$ L4 B0 u$ j0 r+ s. _: \
A circle is perhaps a better illustration of how the ”levels” relate to each other with regard to
2 C+ b% {7 b6 v# D6 M3 I( |the teaching of a musical instrument. One can start at any point, for any task and work
1 B- q5 I4 f. {' [$ G- S1 wbackwards and forwards between the sections to gain a better perspective.+ e. A8 v7 B, ^
The question ”why” can just as easily be replaced with…….Why not?
! R$ m" m) {" ~- l2 T
" }$ l" u" r' h5 ?+ [3 Y+ z9 E+ `3 iAre there elements in ”what?” or ”how?” that solve ”why not?”?% K% ?, S5 P$ I; v
This sort of instance arises if one is going to attempt something unusual. Are there really
; i( \6 N4 u+ v sreasons why it can`t (or shouldn`t) be done? Again one can start anywhere and work in any
5 I. G( J% W7 m3 u8 {direction but it is likely that one will be working mostly between how? and why not? Of4 L+ R2 u, Z4 ]- V
course ”why?” can still be included in the circle. If there are problems then maybe changing0 [* k! B0 l$ A! z( o" r& S
the method will open the way. In this case we will have gone from what? to why not? to
% e, Q/ V' F S+ M; B, ehow?, back to why? and back to how? again and finally to what? The task, or tools might
0 z7 `, o1 b4 p" g% N1 xhave changed slightly in the process of choosing a method.
0 k+ t4 E7 q( | P, R' a r# t”Why?” and ”why not?” are two sides of the same question!) ^" Z( P8 _+ @5 W( p2 W
The solution to ”why not?”may already be there in the circle. b, M$ c+ a, I2 l' L
”Why?” and ”why not?” can be used as simple questions or as the start of a list of reasons to* d' Z+ n, {: `% e+ b4 l: J
justify something. This change of perspective will greatly influence their role in the process.9 }+ j6 g: f6 l3 E$ m2 K" m
”Why not” can be used both as justification for trying something or as a reason why it might; P% l, p) @. o% w8 a
be better not to.
6 p# J$ e5 |. z% eWhy?
' S. Z5 `- e- p1 P! L* `What? How?% a2 B7 m7 B7 ] A. f
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels/ m3 N- C1 w( `- [: g& e
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 4 -! \* r- O8 }5 t7 _5 u: R- z$ D' f9 B
At last…………What? Teaching the flute at the beginner and intermediate levels!" o, @$ z, h5 d8 t& E
Why? Research shows that playing an instrument;
8 A2 ]& V- ^. m6 G1 E7 c8 Q) r2 ]5 L2 g6 b
Improves cognitive progress) @) j# ~ s9 v+ r2 L
Improves co-ordination and fine motoric
0 C2 R0 ?# i, Q: S. R2 O$ Qskills, X1 Q2 P! c) n' M. l; H( O& @, K1 i
Improves visualisation skills
$ n2 X L5 L& A; }9 F3 M& gVastly improves academic skills
# T1 H4 v1 V7 jRaises social awareness
$ ?+ k8 P. U9 N! X( |- }, Z* QImproves self image
6 v: P- t& M+ M/ [2 n! M6 i- wBuilds confidence2 A7 ]- u3 P# I6 X7 |) Z3 R# z+ ~
Will make the child a natural leader and/ a) R: f% ~7 W7 G
who knows, maybe President of the USA
) T' {- R- T l- xone fine day!!$ P, ?* @3 X5 w) e7 b' z
There is a lot of of research done (much of it in the USA) into how playing an instrument and( m9 x4 b" H6 c* w7 E
being involved in music programmes affects the child`s development. Some of this research is0 [8 T( W/ `. o3 o1 [- b
of direct use to us as pedagogues as it maps out learning processes. @, o# e* `/ g! E/ k- y% C5 k
That said, one should keep in mind;
8 y/ x6 X& p, | `$ q0 bThey are political justifications for investment in music programmes and not reasons for
) U& U# N ]3 y! ^teaching the flute' A4 u( q; @. b7 a& d4 ?
Much of this research comes as a result of the limited resources used in music education.: x/ u/ j7 c- e
They need to show that they are ”useful” to get funding
$ r7 l6 r4 N7 o% \While these points may be of interest politically, they have nothing to do with the/ i B, c* O4 f. g
philosophy of a musical instrument pedagogue
+ k6 Y* C; i$ {The research in a large part has been done to justify the ”usefulness” of music programmes7 Y# |! @9 i8 n7 r8 x
and education in a materialistic world where everything must be measured and quantified.
1 D, e% D- ^9 M* |# jWhere everyone is fighting for funding music can no longer just be for music`s sake, it must
' W. k" d0 q* e) y# y, z/ q6 Cbe balanced up and shown to be a magical and jolly useful thing.& W \4 }# }- [4 q: i6 \
In the short term we need to play this game if we are to get necessary funding, but in the long$ i/ a0 b5 C1 t: g9 L
term we need to work to have music accepted simply for music`s sake. If we fail to do this/ O. ]% f5 ]& k, g. O
then the importance of music and the Arts will be slowly, but surely eroded.& E& V/ ]! F* n) M& b
Why should we be teaching flute to kids?+ P- A% [% |3 k( s
To train the next generation of musicians and thereby ensure the continuity of our Art and$ w8 c% k8 L2 \! Y. i
it`s central place in society.- k7 {- U% ^3 @. T- j/ g0 o
To foster eager amateurs, who love and understand music. To ensure a new generation of
6 O9 O" M% z) U) C/ O6 e, pconcert goers and patrons of the Arts.
- s0 ]. U2 S% C% B$ _7 ROf course we need to be training the musicians of the future but should this really be our main
$ H" R, a$ Z7 r; R; w9 I. {# Q% a( Lconcern? There are already too many musicians being trained for too few jobs. We need to
2 U. w. e1 \" z: fconcentrate on the second group much more. By taking more care of the ”average” pupils and X: H9 R- g8 @( i' h: P( x) Y! n
inspiring them, rather than bullying them to work harder or quit, we will hopefully have a, |6 S, V! T1 o
future filled with concert goers and voters who care about where the Arts figure in politics
% v8 W$ \: T% \3 F$ `and the enrichment of society as a whole. If we only make programmes that favour future
4 @' L% q3 I& amusicians then those pupils will graduate into a world of ever decreasing job possibilities9 y; W0 W7 C& d6 a; E
(much like now).1 N% b% @. {& K+ ^' T- o4 Y! x* W
If the second group is missing then the first simply becomes a cry in the materialistic
/ }' Y& w+ f' H* b# a; Mwilderness.
7 ?- v/ C/ g+ Q$ M0 c) J% ^Never underestimate the power and importance of the general public in the future of the Arts2 {9 N ~7 a- `" e' ]
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels8 ~- a- I: I# p# ~) q. ?3 g# f
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 5 -7 F' z7 u8 j1 `9 Y9 G+ J; ~
Only with a large and eager public, across all classes can music get the necessary funding. ]4 v+ g% a! ?( X, F d
The early experiences are what will have most influence on an individual`s later relationship e& W! [# I2 y" U, u5 V" v$ C
to music and as a music pedagogue it is YOU who will influence and secure the future of
( `" {* N' j* Ymusic.
. l0 |- P# s& [& e- N, \$ s3 nRemember the Advanced Level?
% F" [9 ^) T0 `( w% [8 J8 XThe focus is solidly on musical goals
) J8 f& i. M( o6 a$ gThe student is motivated by these goals. Z3 X+ n- t) A$ k( A$ A
Teaching is directed at achieving these goals# o) I% G# H- H$ m+ t! P
When MUSIC is the central element in lessons, then all of the above should also apply for
% c6 _9 A4 w/ y% t; q) @the beginner and intermediate levels; ^! ]: f, j+ n+ `
Although work at the lower levels is mainly aimed at putting foundational and technical skills: X1 K5 y4 u( B, X
into place, an understanding of the musical goals can be the motivation needed to work. ?, j* `0 K% I; F. h/ I
properly with problem areas.: Y% l, n) q- E7 N0 x
Lessons should be aimed at;: `3 O$ H7 N, M8 C
Enjoyment and discovery of music
1 j$ w3 R* m! G, nBuilding general musicianship# o( z; g9 v! t+ c& l
Good solid foundations of flute skills
$ ?9 F1 A& b" H$ m4 [: dThe achievement of obtainable goals) M B8 Y7 m' N# S5 I
Building confidence and independence in the pupil# w/ p: n- D% N. Q$ _9 d
The aim should be to develop intelligent, intuitive musical beings, not simply note reading% j. H2 e) u: M7 k
flute blowing robots. At all levels the flute is the chosen tool but the subject is music. This; b, \0 d% D( W8 K H* K9 N U* i: P
means music in all it`s forms, not a snobby hierarchy where classical is at the top and the8 p8 n. q; E/ ]" @
other forms are subordinate. I do feel however that classical technique should be central to the
0 h# J- K/ k9 |teaching as this gives a good and stable starting point for the investigation of other genre. We" `) r$ {$ B5 u5 F' ~; h, P
should set our own biases aside and guide the pupil through all types of music so that they can
# \0 j, v% V" w7 j. ?4 idecide what it is that they like.0 D* C; u5 j2 \
You should always keep in mind that…
1 ?" a, D* G( ^% t1 D" b# ]5 yYou can`t fit a square peg into a round hole- Y- W" c A) P6 ~( f. q
You might however, over time, sand and form that peg to fit!% U& K; Z. _* A2 }' n# z) z
There`s no point in bashing your head against a wall. Do like Joshua at Jericho….
4 |5 Z, @' r& s6 ~: U9 m: R
6 d) a/ H2 ?) }9 [, QUse music and take the time it takes!!
3 ~1 r- p9 Z9 _1 d! \Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels# k$ d) l5 Q) [' ~7 B+ l! R7 B! A
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 6 -
5 ?! w- N3 t; w) b0 l7 mThe little people- 5-8 years2 U9 t5 v+ V, }9 }- p+ I1 B
Why?
) G/ p9 |; m( nOpen and ready" k4 E3 n8 U- C' O( J9 u9 X
Build an early relationship to the8 `& N! c7 E' h9 [, @
instrument and music2 E/ [+ p. ~3 f! V. N+ \
Plenty of time, no rush
1 P% A+ ^0 T( X. e/ c1 J) BBasic skills are put in place early
4 b+ A, {4 i% K' H* q. dWhy not?' M$ ^, j. e* T" a; g7 K
Find it intimidating* R$ l4 P' [( |3 z
Embouchure problems+ ~) O0 l% Z3 w5 v# ~5 s/ L) K0 u
Size of instrument3 A+ G7 C# e( x# r
Cost of instrument
1 H) Y6 o- h U9 |6 B2 sUnable to concentrate very long
1 J' V2 F0 I( X" C yWeigh the “why?” against the “why not?” and then the “why not?” against the “how?”. If! ]4 F4 o: j- `& n( i, c8 K H+ ?: I
there are real benefits to starting earlier than usual then adjusting the method might give a
. X, S. e4 X2 {! Tway ahead. You should however give good consideration as to whether any of the difficulties
- b6 g% }- q) o5 c, win the “why not?” list can really be overcome.2 v9 T7 }# B7 A9 H8 E) P& \- ^% j
The little people- how?* Y+ @5 B0 |9 R7 _& `) F
Yamaha fife+ J! ?9 Q: m2 u, p' g) G4 x! X
Group teaching
0 P/ L) g% f! v& NParental involvement3 M2 l( J$ M* Q
Many activities- not just playing
% q# |2 b" E) ]4 @; t' AOne thing at a time5 e: D, c$ N1 B: K9 W
Patience) }" |) p2 w. ? \3 C4 u3 B
Regular ”performances”) a% q; J/ c6 ?+ y* |3 T
FUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN; N3 [% r) J+ K5 [; p& q0 Y# k
9-11 years- The traditional beginner age6 [9 N* ^5 g* O% D
Some general differences to the little people;
7 j& s z' W. lA clearer idea of how a flute should7 j) O+ Z1 ]6 F' m; W- g% d
sound" B; s# Y* ^/ F: C5 F/ u5 v; p
Much more peer conscious
. T& I8 G$ j% j; O) v- xImpatient to improve
2 v) @( s9 a Y: XBecome demotivated if progress is too
3 m& Z6 d+ X! W0 vslow% J, ^* ~- F% _3 G5 `8 a& d
Become demotivated if progress is too
' T/ G* a# k, G2 T; h& ?fast!!: F `& m6 G/ t9 i! x6 W* V
Because this group has some idea of what playing a flute really is, are impatient to forge
8 Q' d: w: m! Y3 C- i6 A+ Cahead but at the same time are sensitive to how they measure up to their peers a fine balance
/ s' A& Q. w% p' M5 k! |# O, Gneeds to be made in the speed of progress.
8 \# ?9 R7 [6 U& W! o- R9-11 years- how?
* O4 c$ {2 h: F( N# _1 bYamaha fife as a primer
4 U6 y# I1 u9 c9 mRegular group lessons (unless it is
4 w( B& A! m' B4 H& p! @- u6 Aproblematic)5 i; M+ k" K/ M, i* [6 I7 y7 x5 Q+ a
Parental involvement?/ E( [4 V- V. n
Many activities- not just playing, }2 M% a( \5 [ M
New challenges
4 p. C+ y$ W: ~7 yPatience
8 _5 P; ?+ O3 UAllow pupil input- talk to them! [. ~0 r2 s7 Z6 W+ R3 U
Performances?) V6 \- k* q! I# E2 l- p
FUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN
$ i' A+ M8 X7 KTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels) ~4 T; H0 n5 G `
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 7 -
' C. w6 g/ ~2 [+ W& }Group lessons are useful as the lessons become very dynamic. However one must constantly& v. ?' a7 V# ~2 w' D8 x
evaluate the usefulness against problems like one pupil falling behind or another forging8 H. B1 ^- x- e3 Y( ^
ahead.
7 Q) ~: n3 I9 jLikewise the involvement of parents and performances can help in progress and confidence: V( R, f3 R. x7 ?
building. But some children in this age group (especially at the older end) prefer to be private+ x3 E# _3 S' y: ^' M
about their playing and withdraw into the safety of the group. In such a situation the interest! F' ?6 f4 R1 y$ w2 V, s+ Q9 u. A
and enthusiasm of parents might be unwelcome and received in quite a hostile manner.6 l, V6 ~/ \1 R: S& ?7 A
Performances can also be a problem with this sort of child, with them unwilling to play for the8 M. t/ n! [2 k6 X
usual audience of family and peers. They will however, often be willing to play in a group; o5 c1 B9 ^. V1 {* F; d
setting for strangers rather than be the only who hasn`t played on a concert., A' a# j( d& j3 I N1 M, c
Adolescence- The danger zone. B& I6 J/ ~9 E' }
Why do many suddenly quit playing, for no apparent reason, as they reach their early teens?
$ R2 D; M) Z' k# U+ |Why?8 }& T& E# u M# e5 f$ C8 ]8 ^
A need to exercise control over their own' s' T6 _/ K& k) y3 `
lives?
7 M" H5 m! i' j) L% FTrying to make a point with their
4 ?& G5 ^5 O' f& y* L3 v9 B5 y9 q$ P7 yparents?
( ^- M, C5 p$ `Hormonal turmoil?. D9 [( V" m! `: B
Changing interests?
6 f9 z: l E' w0 V2 KA wish to blend in with the gang?
F$ Y" P5 n' B- g; t1 H. kPressure of school work?
3 m* w& o$ J. b4 i5 `# @7 pHow?
6 `, R5 d& P7 n: ?' `& b. O2 B4 QGive them some control over lesson) I7 u5 i- C4 z3 `4 d7 a1 ^
content
: j! b: | h2 _* ~- ^% ZCut the parents out of the loop
F$ g( V# W# }Be friendly but keep some distance!$ Z/ f* ?' N- n+ ]
Only natural that interests might change
# `: x/ z5 I) W [; E$ yHelp them to gain status amongst their3 t7 C/ x5 o6 R2 ~4 }2 x
peers+ ?, \2 ~: a- a8 i6 F" O
Don`t pressure them about practice
& J+ I" U0 x! R5 D, c: cIf you can help them through this period they will probably4 g& k: Z- R+ s* N4 Z4 b
carry on playing for many years
/ ^) o& J8 }8 p9 m( MSome generalisations
* {( B T6 d( F* H& h. KGirls versus Boys
) ^& B4 A+ {5 v$ `Other girls play flute0 v( E1 a: Q: R% r8 q" y) _6 r3 w
Easily influenced by peer pressure
8 w; ?; g j' B% WBetter concentration and fine motoric
. C0 Q4 J) X4 |6 a" I9 y7 ^, Xskills at an earlier age
& ?3 t& }$ a- ^Easily discouraged if they feel they are
) ?4 O9 ~( T& u6 Xbehind in group
, w/ i, m4 Y/ ?6 O1 h8 d% l9 D6 KConscious and individual choice
6 |0 p( k4 W( G4 v; bOpinionated
8 j7 y3 t! I* k& g+ h2 Y! zTechnically minded; fast progress driven
" c7 E: u. h4 @5 Z, G0 g+ n8 n& p& }by a need to understand; u7 Q- L. ~+ g( G n$ J1 w P/ t
Show uncertainty through disruptive4 w3 J; X- f) X! w3 Z: k
behaviour! D/ t6 K+ z, e6 J! G' y, Z
The general reasons behind a boy or a girl choosing the flute might have some bearing on how7 M* h3 N1 ?4 _+ o. {" `6 F& J
you teach the individual. In general flute is seen as a typical girl`s instrument and this means, H$ a0 K, s$ a# \5 z
that a boy who chooses the flute has often thought long and hard about it.: p6 E0 B4 u5 `7 m* ^8 ]
Likewise the differences between the genders can also play a part in how you choose to teach
4 y: w1 Z4 z+ }8 Q. S0 u- fa certain pupil. There can also be geographical differences connected to different schools. I
% m, `) W7 M3 [, \8 \will often adjust my teaching style depending on which school I am at and the general way: ]3 k6 Q8 V% r& W' b$ s2 z" }
that children from that school interact with me.
* I; M9 X1 b6 x' c: bTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
T! G6 i6 B2 i. x6 e, p6 jCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 8 -
& Q3 k6 H6 W9 F: F$ xDiscipline!!
' `* S- z4 u- S9 t4 JImportant in group teaching if it`s going to be fun
: }5 w5 b" v0 G m* OYou don`t need to scream and shout. R, @& l0 R( ]0 ]" Q e
Sometimes you don`t need to say anything at all/ D8 _- p! s2 `. [4 g1 @
Self discipline in a group is the same as respect for the others4 P2 X! ^& m8 m* h D/ ]2 ^
Poor discipline can be a sign that you are on the wrong track
, ~6 g9 S4 \$ K, x" G3 w* M- r; ?Discipline doesn`t need to be overt control by the teacher, but it is an important factor if- _2 G$ ^4 \% M$ p& `( e2 A
lessons are going to be productive and fun. Many of my pupils complain that their day at
2 L% v: p' J4 X- Ischool is tiring and sometimes stressful simply because there is so much noise in the
i/ }3 ~8 @" ]) Zclassroom. Some children react very badly to group disorder and things get very quickly7 s u0 f5 l) T9 j
boring and out of hand if minor discipline problems are not taken care of immediately.
E! S8 n q9 b! P8 l* W8 |* ]If the group is in turmoil then your shouting “QUIET” simply adds to the noise level. If you/ @( U( D" ~- u5 y1 Q& C7 Z
start talking in a normal voice then chances are that the kids will quieten down because they" \! w( ^6 X6 j$ X/ r( M8 A2 u
are afraid they are missing something. Sometimes saying nothing at all, simply standing and
/ w0 ]! u8 X* bwaiting can have the desired effect, or to tackle a disruptive influence simply moving closer to ^6 v% [3 ]; U( F
them or looking at them is enough.
" g! R. ~& H! tOne should work at making the group self-disciplining, with pupils showing respect not only
% t0 [1 R! o1 w, k" t/ dyot you as a teacher but to the rest of the group. Respect of course is a two way street and by
/ J! E" h- v% v& J+ k+ nyou treating all pupils respectfully they will learn that this is the correct way to act.
$ u% O- l+ l& }+ X) \Lessons should contain;/ }- E, }: q4 F8 m/ A0 G
Playing by ear/ imitation6 t) p, h& _) M& S4 D2 \+ g( w6 T
Improvisation/ creative work
O; R8 A/ }5 g4 E! bRhythm work
# g( Z$ N* ]: U+ TPolyphonic playing, w8 a: H3 r) V7 \# Q" }
Theory in practice
" O+ }" Z* ?2 U' R8 U' u! SUsing notation/ i+ t v) f: a% o- W$ W, \1 d6 l
Performance training/confidence
$ I1 C, S" J. S- `building
* j$ ?* }& q, z" b1 K. KFUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN6 k% t3 H% R0 P0 p
PRAISE, PRAISE AND MORE PRAISE
. [) N8 U4 v' I$ u/ W1 YRemember that the goal is to create musical beings. Working in a consolidation pattern will: O3 A5 t" ~: f
help the pupils to have “aha” experiences where they recognise what they already know. I feel
. `- W" M* f2 ?- d5 {6 xthis is also true of theory and notation. If the child already knows something before it is% f& v+ o2 K- [
introduced in the written form then they are more likely to couple it with past experience and
1 h7 n& I! ]: _8 ~ hremember it. This is especially true at the beginner level where I feel that notation should
8 H. r$ { {1 N& R) `/ H, t1 k7 [5 Gnever be used to technically advance the child.
@, P& j3 m/ D1 P, q+ QTeaching kids is rewarding but can at times be tiring. Remember;; a& G2 B+ N* W. z% M
Patience is a virtue5 q+ T9 N+ T# a7 z* _7 e
Everything comes to those who wait
1 d, n2 L+ T5 zAnd finally…………………….
' Q& K& g w1 V! |+ CIf it ain`t no fun then what`s the point!?! |
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