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Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 1 -- r7 k9 R: W2 j& p
Teaching Flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
7 v4 W- R' z" F3 Q- M5 ABeginner Level;6 @' X+ O; t" i F2 | h5 |0 w' n; P7 i
The basics of playing
) L* e& I8 c& K* wThe basics of music
. I$ k0 E1 }$ g( IFoundational skills are put into place.
/ ?6 ^) w1 L6 `, o4 ^In this period the pupil has to work and think very hard about what they are doing as habits5 e: E( I+ X" V% Z' }3 w1 b
are still forming. In around the 3rd year playing becomes easier and more natural and
7 }' L$ |% W* i; E; Vprogress becomes faster, as the pupil enters the intermediate level.. ~8 T& e6 n, ?) I& j3 M
Intermediate Level;
& q# l- S' w" ^8 W3 Y# A( DFoundational skills are honed and expanded in relation to the playing of music. I see the
/ L" i$ N+ Q8 E. Ibeginner level as lasting for around the first 3 years of playing.! |( T/ F7 A" ~2 V
So I see the difference between beginner and intermediate more in how the pupil handles the y, J: E. _6 T
flute rather than the level of difficulty in the music they are playing.
% t- [3 N5 J0 j! Q$ lPoor habits that are allowed to form at the beginner stage and carried over to intermediate will4 ?% a3 H7 u5 T7 H4 O, V
need a lot of work and might never be eradicated. They may instead need to be developed for
0 V- `1 A7 m U( l/ R- ]: hthat pupil`s needs. An example of this would be a side blown embouchure, which for some, is
& P$ h8 H E& g% L' T9 d2 m! }a result of facial characteristics (i.e. best suited to side blown) but for many is a result of poor6 G, N, O4 B9 h; @0 [
posture and flute position being left unattended at the beginner level.
& G5 I! p, a$ G/ ?What about Advanced Level?8 S0 e" k( C3 x' F1 G) J* T
The focus is solidly on musical goals
# l# {* ?' K; w1 Q1 b9 dThe student is motivated by these goals9 H! r$ D- K/ x4 I! a
Teaching is directed at achieving these goals
O% z/ e& F; H5 v) V$ NLesson content at the Advanced Level is in many ways pre-defined by the goal and not the
% q4 _6 h0 {9 F) T O3 hteacher." j: p/ F4 F. `
At the advanced level motivation for mastery of the instrument comes for a large degree from
( S. \& S# ^. b* p2 K8 Athe student`s wish to achieve musical goals. The student will in most cases tell the teacher
, ^! d0 Y/ l: s6 F H/ dwhat they wish to achieve and the teacher will give help and guidance. The teacher takes on
4 D, O: _+ M- a5 amuch more of a role as mentor while much of the responsibility for progress and direction has
" d" ]& }( z2 s* J9 z! P6 \+ \passed on to the student. For this reason we can disregard the Advanced level in this lecture./ l: _/ W* d0 @3 \! U2 E
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
- d6 D* e9 O9 ?: @Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 2 - Z Z3 H! Z1 Q1 ]( U
But first a little philosophy……Or……..How to get out of and avoid the rut.
- e2 z. L5 J1 J$ R8 cWe all have our own musical, artistic, aesthetic and pedagogic philosophies. This is what$ z a3 u/ r) Y- H' q& I
forms us into individuals and as we develop, so do our philosophies (and of course vice
3 @ K5 D( B X% j2 wversa). As a performing artist needs development to avoid stagnating, so does the teacher. If
7 [% [3 {* x: f$ I- qwe get bogged down in the routine rut of doing things the same way, with all pupils, year after/ g* c6 M% R i. w! {- I7 [
year we will cease to develop and grow and like all living organisms, once we stop growing9 {, r1 J9 V" b( G5 L
we start decaying.$ s' H& F" S$ L3 a
This doesn`t mean that there is no place for applying experience, or that one should discard Q" y- ^4 a; t5 P7 ^. o, m
methods or techniques that are successful, simply that one should keep an open mind for new) [, _4 o' E8 J( }) A
ideas and avoid getting complacent.
% ?: B$ g9 c7 t( Q& K$ AThe Practical triangle
5 a7 {7 i, S+ h N& a6 e2 NThe triangle represents the different levels) K/ Q0 Y; S# K4 `' ?' |
of practical application in teaching
; V! D0 `1 H4 r! y' i& ^6 t4 P5 P; c+ K1 y. V+ P( `& s d8 Y& z
The practical triangle is an aid used when engaged in guidance counselling of pedagogic
3 Y6 d" @: Q6 C; t6 `7 vstudents, while they are gaining practical experience. It is designed to help them discover6 o9 E) r1 A' | t8 J/ H
what knowledge and experience they are already in possession of and how this might be4 e: q# G3 @8 }/ [1 E8 F" e
applied to the task in hand.
9 _! w/ q" S- ^/ CThe levels explained; n- E9 T5 r4 w* a0 K2 z/ u4 b
P3 Aesthetic/artistic reasons 6 t' K( h9 F6 Y- X
P2 Your reasons for this based on education and experience( S$ ^! r8 p5 k
P1 What you are doing3 U6 g% f+ B6 U7 w0 O5 r- g& R
This tool can be useful in any application to gain perspective over a new and challenging task
3 s" J3 z/ u8 q0 i( qor simply to take stock of what one is doing now.7 U% ` W( \9 I/ M; j
Put simply; what, how, why?9 G! p. z- ~: G' k5 {" ]
For young students with little experience the first 2 levels are the most important, to avoid$ a5 E8 n1 y; S* A
getting bogged down or overdue influence from the aesthetical side. Students as we know will
; k* ]- i( ^* R$ h5 L! Toften have very strong ideas and principals, but as we mature and gain experience we become7 ~9 N7 u; s4 b: P+ }
(hopefully) more flexible. This is something to keep in mind but for a more experienced2 E3 b: h: _- u: E$ r6 N
teacher/player, especially as we are working in an art form, the importance of the levels will( z* n; J Y4 t# i
be more equal.8 ^1 d" Q' w/ o$ P' C
A word or two on Aesthetics# ?/ I: k3 @+ X; }8 \6 Q. ^. z* }
Aesthetic reasoning is more than pure artistic influence. It could be;* N3 G" o2 v/ V _' v4 U
The music school policy or goals
# Y$ k9 R+ J9 B; m; [( d”my teacher always did it like that”% m8 D1 H2 R; W/ p. K' [, g
Cultural influence
7 s% F7 _/ M- _& b1 TEtc.
+ T, }/ Q' s1 z1 M* HAesthetic reasons are often based on personal baggage!0 J$ E$ W" R3 r: ~, `2 K
P2( E- X) N4 ]/ X( h6 {& }
P3# m: I8 n( e$ v5 Q6 u' i$ Q
P1* O! y: E y" S% w. u" p0 @/ X
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels' `( P# Z" d9 [) v- E8 s
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 3 -+ e- H4 Q& P" Y: j
Aesthetics will always play a role in everything we do. If we try to be aware of their influence5 z9 m1 ^. s" \( |5 }& ]
it can be easier to be objective about what we are doing. This doesn`t mean that the
/ y1 }' O1 T* ?; |! limportance of aesthetics should be discarded, just that their often hidden influence should be
1 `# C1 Q. h Z, B% fbrought to the surface and examined. The last point regarding personal baggage is not
6 v6 j* @# B: S9 {: }necessarily negative, it should simply be kept in mind when examining why you want to do7 B7 y" R3 b( w6 V. Y, I
something a certain way.
5 G2 B2 q C9 ?# ~* ~Circle of Philosophy
: b' @ g8 x o9 `1 n4 uThe Circle of Philosophy represents
& _$ W" ~" v0 C) v4 a* Ea constant process of evaluation for the teacher.
9 f9 l) ^( B( P6 [
) n8 ]5 y6 l; d2 GOne`s own methods and motives need to be examined in relation to the task& }, c' i3 ^( x7 y- x6 `
A circle is perhaps a better illustration of how the ”levels” relate to each other with regard to
! n D; d) R6 O% q+ h, i; P. ythe teaching of a musical instrument. One can start at any point, for any task and work7 d: I8 @( T2 a4 b+ B% k1 x
backwards and forwards between the sections to gain a better perspective.
8 M7 U1 F8 d! M! n% U2 y3 v4 tThe question ”why” can just as easily be replaced with…….Why not?
. y3 f8 m; F" _1 J4 s' V% g- v% V
$ n" ]' n9 ]$ ~- o9 x, hAre there elements in ”what?” or ”how?” that solve ”why not?”?8 R4 x @! q* Z" e8 ~) c( u- q
This sort of instance arises if one is going to attempt something unusual. Are there really0 B# s8 f. b! |! ^; ~7 R: S
reasons why it can`t (or shouldn`t) be done? Again one can start anywhere and work in any
- V# y/ q+ E6 U3 fdirection but it is likely that one will be working mostly between how? and why not? Of6 `; D# l. I7 t
course ”why?” can still be included in the circle. If there are problems then maybe changing1 I X0 { ^0 ^6 v/ I
the method will open the way. In this case we will have gone from what? to why not? to& ]3 c4 u* c. r
how?, back to why? and back to how? again and finally to what? The task, or tools might; O7 D7 `- x2 z H
have changed slightly in the process of choosing a method.
, Y( U: N, N% _”Why?” and ”why not?” are two sides of the same question!
. z( D$ }, p+ v5 `The solution to ”why not?”may already be there in the circle.' t7 Z0 y7 C% ^0 x: a; R$ u
”Why?” and ”why not?” can be used as simple questions or as the start of a list of reasons to
7 o! T* ~/ f5 i9 r5 w+ N' V- mjustify something. This change of perspective will greatly influence their role in the process.
6 O9 t) W1 [! n$ x6 G”Why not” can be used both as justification for trying something or as a reason why it might$ `. y" ^; x' X+ r
be better not to.
/ ~+ }" i& T6 @# RWhy?: Z( N. f1 w- K7 b2 l0 O
What? How?
1 M3 J% B- ~% m. Q2 aTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
) V" ]+ b9 D* P, L9 TCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 4 -0 e2 b/ @; O& y: e2 E# b- |+ R6 [0 z( G
At last…………What? Teaching the flute at the beginner and intermediate levels!
/ G+ h4 c9 c6 L$ ]& qWhy? Research shows that playing an instrument;+ s: z9 g: ~/ c j% B- d
, |& ~( a# t6 ?2 ^( r3 Q
Improves cognitive progress7 u" i, ^0 X- O. k% P: k$ v
Improves co-ordination and fine motoric
) _" \ u/ W8 U8 S6 l% qskills
- s! Q$ a3 h1 c5 H+ VImproves visualisation skills
& d, L- H7 }, i3 zVastly improves academic skills. \8 J5 R$ V7 b% B; |' ^" L
Raises social awareness
( `9 T. c% n8 P8 P& R4 aImproves self image
) E+ V& P" C0 z. H! dBuilds confidence2 d( u" s* n4 d3 T9 l G1 h
Will make the child a natural leader and
* h$ w1 z1 Q Ywho knows, maybe President of the USA
; P& A7 a$ U6 q4 C w2 g3 e- |one fine day!!
' G6 k* d* q: h. YThere is a lot of of research done (much of it in the USA) into how playing an instrument and
# m7 J; G+ v- v, Wbeing involved in music programmes affects the child`s development. Some of this research is
6 _4 p6 q v$ Z b. }9 N( }of direct use to us as pedagogues as it maps out learning processes.! O$ D- @8 V4 C. s: B! ]5 k% O2 w
That said, one should keep in mind;! E& T- ?/ T2 S. Y
They are political justifications for investment in music programmes and not reasons for' e0 q' M: K0 G! d/ `
teaching the flute
5 o/ v- Y6 F nMuch of this research comes as a result of the limited resources used in music education./ Q/ I% m G8 Q5 L
They need to show that they are ”useful” to get funding$ l& |: r* N$ l/ C3 c+ x& _
While these points may be of interest politically, they have nothing to do with the& ?% E5 N" q% Z. n6 C
philosophy of a musical instrument pedagogue0 X! G. x L5 `0 Y9 i
The research in a large part has been done to justify the ”usefulness” of music programmes
4 ]1 e( C+ I& y* U! {$ ~and education in a materialistic world where everything must be measured and quantified.
; J$ m; Q; R" f4 `) j/ D# `Where everyone is fighting for funding music can no longer just be for music`s sake, it must
% h: r1 F* z B; `3 Y# o6 ]9 Nbe balanced up and shown to be a magical and jolly useful thing.5 s, q' L* [- M" j# G+ x8 @
In the short term we need to play this game if we are to get necessary funding, but in the long2 N! [+ B6 Y' ] r# Q$ Z
term we need to work to have music accepted simply for music`s sake. If we fail to do this8 t. ^1 K2 {5 W! U. p6 {; k
then the importance of music and the Arts will be slowly, but surely eroded.
/ _- F8 |$ \8 V0 N: V( ]Why should we be teaching flute to kids?2 _* i9 w1 z8 x6 n t
To train the next generation of musicians and thereby ensure the continuity of our Art and$ f; H/ p. I- X T) N
it`s central place in society.! _ I- w3 y6 \
To foster eager amateurs, who love and understand music. To ensure a new generation of
2 l, k, G/ K0 M+ w9 ] p! ~+ l% gconcert goers and patrons of the Arts.
; N$ }# U4 B: u) NOf course we need to be training the musicians of the future but should this really be our main
6 [& [5 m# \$ R9 M6 f1 Econcern? There are already too many musicians being trained for too few jobs. We need to
" O8 W% s9 O+ g5 W9 Xconcentrate on the second group much more. By taking more care of the ”average” pupils and+ ~3 o% r1 p3 O% X1 R5 p5 c1 r
inspiring them, rather than bullying them to work harder or quit, we will hopefully have a
# p w( _+ {+ ^( K4 Jfuture filled with concert goers and voters who care about where the Arts figure in politics" L# D6 f3 ?$ t7 R
and the enrichment of society as a whole. If we only make programmes that favour future' S$ h, R, O# D& c
musicians then those pupils will graduate into a world of ever decreasing job possibilities
- P' w4 y3 a) L(much like now).
1 r; N4 R6 A1 Q" T( n4 @- PIf the second group is missing then the first simply becomes a cry in the materialistic
) R' N [* a$ l$ ~1 Hwilderness.
, O/ a" N# t7 N6 _2 V; x! JNever underestimate the power and importance of the general public in the future of the Arts
. s; O, q" H% q% w" K& Y1 y4 w+ FTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels; T @! I8 p) M7 `' j0 J
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 5 -
- W8 T. H. H" n2 iOnly with a large and eager public, across all classes can music get the necessary funding.
$ `4 w% `0 s) b [. D* l6 nThe early experiences are what will have most influence on an individual`s later relationship; v4 t: h1 h9 {( r
to music and as a music pedagogue it is YOU who will influence and secure the future of9 ~7 s2 ?2 u/ h& L; d8 R9 {$ D( o
music.( F, {! z) x7 A- y# r8 p# I! R. q/ a
Remember the Advanced Level?7 ]( w0 n* A- m/ r( d M4 @
The focus is solidly on musical goals" W9 n" \3 `0 |. ]2 N" B% {3 o. E! K
The student is motivated by these goals
1 ~( D5 P$ R, M# b& f5 Z( A3 gTeaching is directed at achieving these goals7 F7 h$ }1 J6 X' R9 _
When MUSIC is the central element in lessons, then all of the above should also apply for7 C+ S8 E" k* p. T# l
the beginner and intermediate levels& J0 B+ e3 F: \; w- s0 \
Although work at the lower levels is mainly aimed at putting foundational and technical skills; m5 y1 [: _( y) v7 o) v
into place, an understanding of the musical goals can be the motivation needed to work
/ Y$ {/ D2 _' z5 Y7 Eproperly with problem areas.) I1 H( F( o7 G3 ]
Lessons should be aimed at;) ~" ?( x# |& w% r5 V$ x6 I( b0 `3 q
Enjoyment and discovery of music
! [3 |2 S- W( b% |" D8 e2 lBuilding general musicianship0 M- N* e; e$ H" b5 y
Good solid foundations of flute skills- C+ ]: b. f( y
The achievement of obtainable goals. d$ X/ C7 h; U/ v$ Y& }3 H
Building confidence and independence in the pupil! P& c0 B% V& \1 o8 q
The aim should be to develop intelligent, intuitive musical beings, not simply note reading
; [0 Y% J& Z# |$ qflute blowing robots. At all levels the flute is the chosen tool but the subject is music. This
8 z4 h' ]9 d, ~) `means music in all it`s forms, not a snobby hierarchy where classical is at the top and the7 _6 h+ S: |* v1 X( a1 @: s% w1 J
other forms are subordinate. I do feel however that classical technique should be central to the; O( V- P( o9 h0 |: ]9 O' W6 [
teaching as this gives a good and stable starting point for the investigation of other genre. We$ W9 e- _2 M" _( @$ u
should set our own biases aside and guide the pupil through all types of music so that they can# K m8 u0 ~1 B4 x. Q: h
decide what it is that they like.
: j- j6 p1 y* ^; ^5 H& J; P+ [5 v" Z0 YYou should always keep in mind that…
q4 m' n/ s* Y: Q8 o7 C8 KYou can`t fit a square peg into a round hole- Z4 X: C' B, k* }% F& i
You might however, over time, sand and form that peg to fit!
2 `8 Q4 }" w% @There`s no point in bashing your head against a wall. Do like Joshua at Jericho….' {: r, c) m+ P! J
0 P& H& I, F' l4 A
Use music and take the time it takes!!7 q @3 n8 ~5 H r& d) A: @3 V
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
3 T2 r& z8 m# g+ t$ o# ^Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 6 -
/ e7 O. f' K% b7 ]4 LThe little people- 5-8 years
. ?% Z2 c+ o/ I9 B3 ~Why?
9 B ]4 [& T" X$ _1 ?1 Q; aOpen and ready
7 Z$ W3 f) y( `; G( NBuild an early relationship to the8 a$ _& [0 T! T* L4 |
instrument and music
/ M. L) Y9 f* Q# G' |4 wPlenty of time, no rush8 |6 `/ [ m* y2 s. u, V& ~
Basic skills are put in place early
( f* c6 m9 F9 Y; Y9 Z+ VWhy not?
" V$ K$ P- f6 {! oFind it intimidating8 k+ S$ v+ b k2 C: N9 t
Embouchure problems
/ r5 E1 G* y0 L4 R' u1 {& N1 USize of instrument
N/ @8 _7 W( ?8 c' iCost of instrument
; X& ~4 d* V2 ]7 }4 Z, qUnable to concentrate very long
+ m: H& i& l1 ]7 g! y1 {Weigh the “why?” against the “why not?” and then the “why not?” against the “how?”. If5 k5 s$ t6 [; g) K# ?9 V* e& ?
there are real benefits to starting earlier than usual then adjusting the method might give a' w0 Y" i: S( z; \$ h- l8 x0 ?* |6 L
way ahead. You should however give good consideration as to whether any of the difficulties! I" P, K5 I" @# r4 x
in the “why not?” list can really be overcome., K* B) ~7 c8 K
The little people- how?
- p7 X. _" d3 F, B! z* pYamaha fife( I& z( {/ J" n: O
Group teaching
. ` O7 t1 K5 Y; O1 y H/ ?Parental involvement
# T; |% ?2 X- K Y; \1 X5 `+ H! OMany activities- not just playing
% b. _$ B$ q- h+ w. K* p) ROne thing at a time& ^, G( D2 I U6 d9 Z4 k1 ?
Patience* |- K. Z* ?3 {% u$ ^3 N
Regular ”performances”2 j. O9 X! ]3 Q/ {
FUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN8 v& K# R, ]2 \6 m4 m4 S7 |+ j; `
9-11 years- The traditional beginner age5 i: B, k; f- }$ J9 S
Some general differences to the little people;
7 r- T- w; u& PA clearer idea of how a flute should
6 B4 X: T7 ]% x+ h: c0 isound# {3 C$ s& ~8 t+ m4 j2 | q) M
Much more peer conscious `$ D# K* S* n0 w* d/ c& g* S
Impatient to improve+ \/ h5 S( `5 V. u7 x
Become demotivated if progress is too: N! P1 j4 B# W+ S- }! A, U8 K
slow
5 a+ W: n& G+ Z V* i$ _Become demotivated if progress is too
5 b% U- w, i' V% l* |5 o k Hfast!!, ^8 h$ Z, t, {/ q
Because this group has some idea of what playing a flute really is, are impatient to forge6 b( {" l5 |' M) \+ \9 I: X
ahead but at the same time are sensitive to how they measure up to their peers a fine balance) P% v8 G P+ H- r% t2 |
needs to be made in the speed of progress.7 B# A- T$ ]* l. [1 I, _7 F0 W8 r
9-11 years- how?( X8 w" ~. Q# z" @) Z% g
Yamaha fife as a primer- d; v1 r6 b1 W0 a+ Z+ p
Regular group lessons (unless it is B8 G& _% r, b: X* T9 G/ z
problematic)
8 Z( A; Y* b7 v0 M& a( }Parental involvement?' T1 ^8 H9 L9 Y( C9 T
Many activities- not just playing5 p3 |( b, |8 u. O$ K1 Z
New challenges
5 }. V; }4 W( o6 s( g5 Z8 p9 F/ o7 oPatience& t$ v3 X0 e" C- A# C2 z8 F3 G9 T# ?
Allow pupil input- talk to them" P$ I- C+ m% N2 f! Y
Performances?
7 ^" g# b- N& h" p# _1 s2 zFUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN
! i5 H; J: I, A8 |; k" tTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels( F) J3 [* c3 _
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 7 -, C6 D* b$ Y0 Y5 r' `) j7 v
Group lessons are useful as the lessons become very dynamic. However one must constantly
: w R: |9 I, M; _evaluate the usefulness against problems like one pupil falling behind or another forging
& `. P: c0 a; `) Wahead.6 g7 V) |+ ]( Q* {, m$ P
Likewise the involvement of parents and performances can help in progress and confidence
9 m$ r+ @7 ]; F7 a! E+ ^8 hbuilding. But some children in this age group (especially at the older end) prefer to be private
& Y, s7 L Q3 V9 ~; habout their playing and withdraw into the safety of the group. In such a situation the interest
6 k7 @$ [6 c. ^and enthusiasm of parents might be unwelcome and received in quite a hostile manner.; Z, Z9 _3 u. U; B7 ]- w
Performances can also be a problem with this sort of child, with them unwilling to play for the: Z |3 }6 v6 X% Y6 n$ P
usual audience of family and peers. They will however, often be willing to play in a group
/ R5 D% v9 E" F6 csetting for strangers rather than be the only who hasn`t played on a concert.
" u' l1 I4 t: l/ @) N* }8 n mAdolescence- The danger zone5 R4 b% E; @0 |% [7 g* z3 \7 \
Why do many suddenly quit playing, for no apparent reason, as they reach their early teens?
: k" e, _1 y. ~6 FWhy?: K. y$ s7 p- n' w/ F' H
A need to exercise control over their own' i1 ?6 v8 E( Z; E
lives?1 ]& } D# C, m3 y
Trying to make a point with their% h0 N& ~4 s7 B* _) E3 z; E( Z8 t
parents?! d& t2 W6 @# R8 O8 e2 f3 C0 L" A
Hormonal turmoil?
0 X+ W! S1 [: J" \4 T7 Q1 E) {; tChanging interests?
W! p i! M1 A# |$ l* HA wish to blend in with the gang?
0 r6 U6 p( I* K% r+ yPressure of school work?
6 I& J$ `. \ A; p) m/ U* ~How?0 G+ C$ z) H* U
Give them some control over lesson8 G0 W& u( A& d# {! K( H2 W0 P' Q
content
' {; L# r& [- y, e5 H; y; d. KCut the parents out of the loop" ?2 Y) u" k- H2 z
Be friendly but keep some distance!1 w3 `: Q5 w- w+ u; ^: X9 G
Only natural that interests might change! t" y9 P5 A* S, P
Help them to gain status amongst their. u4 `$ r3 K( `
peers
, @, d7 ~6 U' n. R: EDon`t pressure them about practice
J" b" p9 n* p$ ?( E% sIf you can help them through this period they will probably
( c( v/ s5 u( K1 h' y Xcarry on playing for many years: J6 ]6 I+ Y+ O
Some generalisations7 ^4 x' u/ I1 t3 r0 z9 t5 J
Girls versus Boys
8 N8 V* K9 q2 ]" p6 vOther girls play flute8 l1 [+ ~ y8 k Q0 D; j, Z
Easily influenced by peer pressure+ z O2 O g* x
Better concentration and fine motoric
& c, \" I9 R& v p8 |7 i# zskills at an earlier age
; X9 o- ?3 {3 r2 sEasily discouraged if they feel they are
3 Y& N1 Q+ o r( r; w# w6 S$ Rbehind in group
& ]# Z& C# V/ W6 h0 ^4 f/ {8 \Conscious and individual choice$ |; \1 R& I# x8 N& ]; M* T
Opinionated( \0 Y, a- w: i& @7 f! N# X
Technically minded; fast progress driven
5 W1 L3 B( {* z% z5 p, Eby a need to understand
* W m' g u' uShow uncertainty through disruptive3 {1 Z" {) k$ _; u$ W: W
behaviour
0 j# g) e8 D& fThe general reasons behind a boy or a girl choosing the flute might have some bearing on how7 H; I, l% \5 G P
you teach the individual. In general flute is seen as a typical girl`s instrument and this means
4 @( h& Y) f# s. Q. E2 Xthat a boy who chooses the flute has often thought long and hard about it.7 e' z" m _3 R8 k b
Likewise the differences between the genders can also play a part in how you choose to teach
t' _ R7 @) \, Y# x& _a certain pupil. There can also be geographical differences connected to different schools. I
0 |8 {5 i0 e3 Z3 Ywill often adjust my teaching style depending on which school I am at and the general way
; ~& Q' N" v' o3 s% ethat children from that school interact with me.! ]2 ~* V$ ^/ ]* U
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
3 ^7 u* H C5 n- k, Q* {7 ]' }# G9 vCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 8 -
: k7 G" p) X# B9 E5 G' d+ `( nDiscipline!!! C) O3 [3 ]+ H: D
Important in group teaching if it`s going to be fun: R- s3 }7 q+ _
You don`t need to scream and shout( C5 x3 V. w4 q% D. O
Sometimes you don`t need to say anything at all2 I4 ^3 t0 W4 c, r8 M( I
Self discipline in a group is the same as respect for the others# Z( r r/ m/ L* K& K8 n! }
Poor discipline can be a sign that you are on the wrong track
2 N R+ d3 `( V: V6 [4 RDiscipline doesn`t need to be overt control by the teacher, but it is an important factor if& A/ G" X$ r" P S9 B0 I7 f" M' T
lessons are going to be productive and fun. Many of my pupils complain that their day at3 p+ O& [# o* x( F, \
school is tiring and sometimes stressful simply because there is so much noise in the
( [1 R k/ x6 a8 }7 gclassroom. Some children react very badly to group disorder and things get very quickly
; i5 N; q; R& b% ]) t" @- \boring and out of hand if minor discipline problems are not taken care of immediately.
, {0 c1 P3 H9 \( _: {3 DIf the group is in turmoil then your shouting “QUIET” simply adds to the noise level. If you7 T7 d& K: v& x. |
start talking in a normal voice then chances are that the kids will quieten down because they+ `# M2 Z9 f: Y( [, r
are afraid they are missing something. Sometimes saying nothing at all, simply standing and
( x1 C' S4 d+ o/ u1 W& h T8 uwaiting can have the desired effect, or to tackle a disruptive influence simply moving closer to
1 r! A" }7 Q q0 _8 Q, I1 U$ zthem or looking at them is enough.( D) e; [ w: ?9 h* t3 g
One should work at making the group self-disciplining, with pupils showing respect not only" p( G% H8 Q( R: h$ A
yot you as a teacher but to the rest of the group. Respect of course is a two way street and by
' G* g% o& x, P; K/ x* v' y4 Jyou treating all pupils respectfully they will learn that this is the correct way to act.4 |: R1 V2 B+ n" m2 a9 P; L; Z: A
Lessons should contain;
/ f3 {# W+ f/ B* P* {0 b8 ~8 sPlaying by ear/ imitation
/ z- O5 F' y1 ^8 ~5 T! RImprovisation/ creative work% I+ B3 \" m$ C& `3 d( K& l
Rhythm work! G1 T1 U: ^8 {
Polyphonic playing" R% V! x* G: m |$ y
Theory in practice0 r- d9 ^0 Q7 z' p* j! {" @
Using notation" n; k- ?. c6 A1 e; E! }9 n
Performance training/confidence0 z3 ~( x. j" c* t/ C
building
- c8 N" T$ ?) R7 A( F0 |FUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN
0 M- X% u$ H8 M8 xPRAISE, PRAISE AND MORE PRAISE
9 K8 a3 b4 J, D; y1 Q* v8 SRemember that the goal is to create musical beings. Working in a consolidation pattern will
% g! B! d# P: I ^5 H; Yhelp the pupils to have “aha” experiences where they recognise what they already know. I feel
, m$ `, s) U7 R: D, z1 s, B: \this is also true of theory and notation. If the child already knows something before it is1 J2 R& ^5 B3 [8 X) Y/ b
introduced in the written form then they are more likely to couple it with past experience and
9 p' L% E/ y0 s( R- \remember it. This is especially true at the beginner level where I feel that notation should
3 X8 H( |" U) _9 g2 E* F7 Bnever be used to technically advance the child.
; k3 ?4 D. r* H2 l& cTeaching kids is rewarding but can at times be tiring. Remember;
6 K& w0 e5 D- C+ s: l) M- tPatience is a virtue* M1 T9 _# k: K y! E5 B) X
Everything comes to those who wait+ {' Y2 n% S) A/ t
And finally…………………….$ k0 m! ]$ C" p, y
If it ain`t no fun then what`s the point!?! |
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