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Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 1 -# |% v- G) b$ @" f: E4 f5 E0 c/ N
Teaching Flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
# ~; B- E- x7 i0 YBeginner Level;
6 e( t+ P7 r) v! E" N7 p, Y" ZThe basics of playing2 X4 y5 [/ k) P! Q0 `
The basics of music
" t* q% c( ]5 K" oFoundational skills are put into place.
$ X1 A" X9 j7 {6 M- @& [( GIn this period the pupil has to work and think very hard about what they are doing as habits
* O+ w: _7 b. E6 ~are still forming. In around the 3rd year playing becomes easier and more natural and: S& T# P: C; K) @) n+ @
progress becomes faster, as the pupil enters the intermediate level.8 u+ k' u( A+ Q# C: f! }2 C m
Intermediate Level;
2 [( N5 e! }3 T ?9 u3 ^' eFoundational skills are honed and expanded in relation to the playing of music. I see the; s5 _$ n3 w) R4 j
beginner level as lasting for around the first 3 years of playing.6 d/ F7 X3 |* d1 ]- ~9 W
So I see the difference between beginner and intermediate more in how the pupil handles the
/ f1 S. s4 _& ]4 sflute rather than the level of difficulty in the music they are playing.9 ~; ~ B1 b& p
Poor habits that are allowed to form at the beginner stage and carried over to intermediate will
4 ~0 |; p+ X2 g" S: v! Xneed a lot of work and might never be eradicated. They may instead need to be developed for( L9 ]0 n! E6 D, e
that pupil`s needs. An example of this would be a side blown embouchure, which for some, is
, g+ n7 t9 u- K) [+ z; j3 I9 h% q, A. @a result of facial characteristics (i.e. best suited to side blown) but for many is a result of poor4 f4 C6 N+ O# B
posture and flute position being left unattended at the beginner level.! [( t6 i. T/ H' T$ c
What about Advanced Level?0 `' r, S% P2 X: W7 |
The focus is solidly on musical goals
# X& B8 I/ S6 UThe student is motivated by these goals
# ]' _( `0 q1 f+ ~5 ?Teaching is directed at achieving these goals
3 ^9 y& f6 J6 E0 j) fLesson content at the Advanced Level is in many ways pre-defined by the goal and not the
* z/ r% H$ y1 n( U# `teacher.
j4 |8 {0 s$ D& {# aAt the advanced level motivation for mastery of the instrument comes for a large degree from2 C4 y9 B. ?. \' T0 p
the student`s wish to achieve musical goals. The student will in most cases tell the teacher/ b0 T; U# X! f% G
what they wish to achieve and the teacher will give help and guidance. The teacher takes on/ S2 |/ n) w! L3 `0 l& j- F
much more of a role as mentor while much of the responsibility for progress and direction has5 R$ q/ K/ S0 K4 ?
passed on to the student. For this reason we can disregard the Advanced level in this lecture.* Y) Q' _, ^( K5 J+ X ^- y
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
8 h5 G9 z4 R$ ?Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 2 -5 w# N; \$ x' k& n* ?4 }9 S
But first a little philosophy……Or……..How to get out of and avoid the rut.- _! M& T" V9 ~, B- A' M
We all have our own musical, artistic, aesthetic and pedagogic philosophies. This is what* l# d6 ?% Y+ ?' K$ Q
forms us into individuals and as we develop, so do our philosophies (and of course vice
6 X& R( y; H& hversa). As a performing artist needs development to avoid stagnating, so does the teacher. If+ ?4 q, e4 q! _( {
we get bogged down in the routine rut of doing things the same way, with all pupils, year after
& |% i w: v( M$ |- n0 Ayear we will cease to develop and grow and like all living organisms, once we stop growing9 Z7 v4 I l1 g% k, `, L
we start decaying.
) W" L2 |7 ~- k* e( [$ O: c5 lThis doesn`t mean that there is no place for applying experience, or that one should discard
/ Q. s& o4 O8 i6 P/ H% \2 f omethods or techniques that are successful, simply that one should keep an open mind for new
2 }) |$ C7 P5 ]0 k( tideas and avoid getting complacent.2 W2 N# k2 h; \9 S0 G/ ~1 H. k# w. r
The Practical triangle. |) N: k( y; j9 M# v' P+ N4 E
The triangle represents the different levels" M* O- b2 D+ l9 s. ]3 D( J
of practical application in teaching( {/ s T1 N: C. _ a4 Z
' e3 w5 {* N$ F- j" g/ K
The practical triangle is an aid used when engaged in guidance counselling of pedagogic
" p9 _7 G4 W# N. V$ @- v9 u# X' Tstudents, while they are gaining practical experience. It is designed to help them discover* A" B8 E) q' V8 r, B. F0 X
what knowledge and experience they are already in possession of and how this might be
a3 N& u: ?3 c x! D6 v5 S( uapplied to the task in hand.& m0 n6 b( Z( ]
The levels explained;
9 k, c( m" k) iP3 Aesthetic/artistic reasons ; K1 Z! F H( Z
P2 Your reasons for this based on education and experience+ z7 N. Q _6 o* h! t
P1 What you are doing7 l% O' {4 t* T7 |% T1 u9 A/ P W) e
This tool can be useful in any application to gain perspective over a new and challenging task
& `! T f! c5 ?! Hor simply to take stock of what one is doing now.
! O* ?9 U; H$ S2 Z; [3 CPut simply; what, how, why?% d) r1 z K& j; o! c! a+ w
For young students with little experience the first 2 levels are the most important, to avoid- c- Z. H( }9 i- u& H: J
getting bogged down or overdue influence from the aesthetical side. Students as we know will
# t# j0 Z, l/ w6 e5 q4 l b9 P. foften have very strong ideas and principals, but as we mature and gain experience we become- u. m1 _$ I/ b; a
(hopefully) more flexible. This is something to keep in mind but for a more experienced
4 M6 q- i# n( {# P0 gteacher/player, especially as we are working in an art form, the importance of the levels will: _7 w8 p9 Y& A7 v2 J: O( {
be more equal.
# j$ r2 S4 u+ u* D mA word or two on Aesthetics
2 G2 c: |/ g( R/ y# u0 V' L0 GAesthetic reasoning is more than pure artistic influence. It could be;* ?# V$ }6 n/ \ q& N- n' b
The music school policy or goals
! q( \2 [7 Q% P; ~3 t3 g5 D! T”my teacher always did it like that”; e: H5 I1 u2 {7 N& b
Cultural influence5 d' F- O. n' l, ]$ v8 i5 v( w
Etc.5 d3 b5 G$ M+ ?' h" {
Aesthetic reasons are often based on personal baggage!( _$ G. A z8 Y2 }
P2
) s e0 B' C9 q+ Y- U' u9 G9 FP3. \* b8 n0 |4 i \6 `- [1 x% b
P1
5 e) ~6 ?5 o/ N. N& F5 b/ G0 ETeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
5 H' w* U+ N' @( ]& vCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 3 -) j" G& N0 D% H; a4 }
Aesthetics will always play a role in everything we do. If we try to be aware of their influence
' |/ T$ s0 _5 b9 B5 n: T3 s) m" O a) ?it can be easier to be objective about what we are doing. This doesn`t mean that the
' w5 I) ]/ q( O8 g2 ~% [importance of aesthetics should be discarded, just that their often hidden influence should be
4 k8 C* m, I b, z- a+ ]brought to the surface and examined. The last point regarding personal baggage is not7 g! A0 e$ ^: U$ h# n( Y
necessarily negative, it should simply be kept in mind when examining why you want to do! A* ~3 W! G! s0 E! @3 ]) G
something a certain way.2 @% D% m) E6 D+ T$ h
Circle of Philosophy
) ?4 t! ~' q: {6 Y8 h: QThe Circle of Philosophy represents
. E0 K4 Z& b: p! B0 xa constant process of evaluation for the teacher.+ ]5 L' v2 A$ f8 ^8 D! N
! a5 W, o- P& n) [- b4 OOne`s own methods and motives need to be examined in relation to the task
$ d4 U9 B, @: P( W; f* PA circle is perhaps a better illustration of how the ”levels” relate to each other with regard to
6 ?, H3 j2 T; A7 P! |2 x1 Dthe teaching of a musical instrument. One can start at any point, for any task and work
& |, }2 I8 u4 W6 e' c$ Y( ibackwards and forwards between the sections to gain a better perspective.
3 l, y% J b0 e$ W7 _3 HThe question ”why” can just as easily be replaced with…….Why not?0 Y7 v) G3 s, b5 z, M0 `
3 X2 H$ F4 |7 H0 [7 j( u- kAre there elements in ”what?” or ”how?” that solve ”why not?”?3 F1 j4 E( v- D/ f; s
This sort of instance arises if one is going to attempt something unusual. Are there really
3 y4 Y6 D& x. E6 ~( v( e9 w+ v4 Breasons why it can`t (or shouldn`t) be done? Again one can start anywhere and work in any
# k: U% m+ V( P' Z+ d! f: Ydirection but it is likely that one will be working mostly between how? and why not? Of+ W6 P, `8 e, Y+ a) h2 G
course ”why?” can still be included in the circle. If there are problems then maybe changing; K* b. f' Q9 h& e; o9 Y
the method will open the way. In this case we will have gone from what? to why not? to" A6 c. M# @* N( K) g
how?, back to why? and back to how? again and finally to what? The task, or tools might, W0 |+ | O: j$ q2 w6 x
have changed slightly in the process of choosing a method.
6 D2 Z7 R T% W”Why?” and ”why not?” are two sides of the same question!5 m% V- h% i2 _& [
The solution to ”why not?”may already be there in the circle.0 }. z6 f" r! W% @: Q
”Why?” and ”why not?” can be used as simple questions or as the start of a list of reasons to- @" ^$ `- D9 d
justify something. This change of perspective will greatly influence their role in the process.0 u; Q/ a) `: o% Q% N R" D
”Why not” can be used both as justification for trying something or as a reason why it might
( D! q7 V# O' m# C7 M6 z( D: c1 {5 Hbe better not to.! A! g8 m/ ~5 J! v( j5 Q
Why?/ G) m2 [, z: }: Y
What? How?
5 [2 ~9 m* w; R) Q& v0 mTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
( E% }7 g! y+ [* |# l7 \, YCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 4 -7 j1 M. J5 p4 }5 z" B% h
At last…………What? Teaching the flute at the beginner and intermediate levels!
! o% w5 h$ s( F. y: G/ H9 [Why? Research shows that playing an instrument;$ p- T( X4 }4 J/ T: A$ d* ^
; m; R6 ]3 R9 W, a2 \% D% NImproves cognitive progress) ~0 K/ Q2 `) K' S& K5 v2 V
Improves co-ordination and fine motoric3 f( u: K4 |. G' }
skills. }& k# Z) R1 `2 U. L
Improves visualisation skills, I5 p& G5 J" Y1 F8 R8 t) K/ `
Vastly improves academic skills% S6 H' K! D0 o/ h) O$ E
Raises social awareness
$ f5 q& i9 l5 KImproves self image4 t, A, d. N/ Z/ {! e
Builds confidence
5 V& g5 y2 e. H* {1 iWill make the child a natural leader and. G3 g( V, `% S! O1 ~7 W) H
who knows, maybe President of the USA: G4 y P; {! N
one fine day!!
" X9 L# w0 r& m$ k3 Y5 WThere is a lot of of research done (much of it in the USA) into how playing an instrument and
# X6 w3 p5 c) v& E% K, zbeing involved in music programmes affects the child`s development. Some of this research is
3 x1 U- R8 K4 C- I/ Qof direct use to us as pedagogues as it maps out learning processes.
* V) ]9 Q- A+ y kThat said, one should keep in mind;
& x ~; v! B1 H" e7 q, E; H9 ^: pThey are political justifications for investment in music programmes and not reasons for
, {% W1 n7 f- z; Hteaching the flute
0 l2 l3 s+ z$ _8 ^" a* E5 OMuch of this research comes as a result of the limited resources used in music education.
* ?6 `- r) B# R' \" {, B$ {They need to show that they are ”useful” to get funding; Q) F- F3 @2 ^7 Q* t4 d
While these points may be of interest politically, they have nothing to do with the. L4 |) _( B" x4 w+ [; D
philosophy of a musical instrument pedagogue
* Q9 p7 j, W# n5 A: sThe research in a large part has been done to justify the ”usefulness” of music programmes2 t8 E, L% `0 |2 x4 R' v% `
and education in a materialistic world where everything must be measured and quantified.7 X) i/ q: T4 S, w0 p
Where everyone is fighting for funding music can no longer just be for music`s sake, it must
+ g( X2 i" P& U6 t' Tbe balanced up and shown to be a magical and jolly useful thing.
) G; }4 f l" O/ R. m1 p, _! E# FIn the short term we need to play this game if we are to get necessary funding, but in the long0 ] `. \4 R$ q8 q# e" C9 X
term we need to work to have music accepted simply for music`s sake. If we fail to do this
0 Q3 @1 t) s# u2 G# @then the importance of music and the Arts will be slowly, but surely eroded.' P: E3 W* n" ~4 m
Why should we be teaching flute to kids?% j7 b* F- k4 U5 P- \
To train the next generation of musicians and thereby ensure the continuity of our Art and
9 E6 ?# N2 w4 _4 H$ V! Tit`s central place in society.
0 l; ]1 J1 X% N3 {, c9 mTo foster eager amateurs, who love and understand music. To ensure a new generation of
5 {) p7 Q \* U: w3 B3 t& o' A$ aconcert goers and patrons of the Arts.7 F! q, u9 p7 c- R o
Of course we need to be training the musicians of the future but should this really be our main
2 R' _4 E6 A$ @' o' {6 q. V) uconcern? There are already too many musicians being trained for too few jobs. We need to) `9 `' [' c+ k
concentrate on the second group much more. By taking more care of the ”average” pupils and1 y5 L% j% ?; d* F1 S# b4 y/ z
inspiring them, rather than bullying them to work harder or quit, we will hopefully have a1 ~& ~+ o7 o @; p: z
future filled with concert goers and voters who care about where the Arts figure in politics- n; ^" ?2 V) k3 ?9 a, H) E0 J
and the enrichment of society as a whole. If we only make programmes that favour future1 v# E8 [" F( u; `' M
musicians then those pupils will graduate into a world of ever decreasing job possibilities3 P* {: ~0 r9 @5 C* n
(much like now).
! O# h% z% {+ E8 J( }1 UIf the second group is missing then the first simply becomes a cry in the materialistic1 c5 x4 Y' E$ `7 e
wilderness., `5 y7 M9 \9 o$ H5 f
Never underestimate the power and importance of the general public in the future of the Arts
3 y0 U9 K) Z5 ZTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
, ^% m9 s6 F! ]+ E7 X: KCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 5 -/ y2 Q1 z, g; v
Only with a large and eager public, across all classes can music get the necessary funding." q- Z4 F* _! e: S
The early experiences are what will have most influence on an individual`s later relationship
% c9 W. n$ Y; s" [& Gto music and as a music pedagogue it is YOU who will influence and secure the future of
0 A2 _6 z' J) {: o2 R8 o$ Fmusic.
6 B- k- V: i; Q4 }5 Q7 Y' n: o fRemember the Advanced Level?
4 Y1 g/ B/ |+ `* y2 I6 C, v6 cThe focus is solidly on musical goals
_, E0 E8 i( g3 FThe student is motivated by these goals& _. ~3 b' e$ ?% Q- V" v) t9 n
Teaching is directed at achieving these goals
; l y) H8 f0 i: P5 o& \! hWhen MUSIC is the central element in lessons, then all of the above should also apply for
! a( z: I+ b/ _, g! Kthe beginner and intermediate levels
3 |- L& z! @5 x% ]; R1 T) q4 S0 DAlthough work at the lower levels is mainly aimed at putting foundational and technical skills+ p; w/ ~9 `/ t1 Z7 E B; s+ g( Y, Y
into place, an understanding of the musical goals can be the motivation needed to work, j! @4 ~7 L% o" ?: {
properly with problem areas.
. f E" `+ O/ `% XLessons should be aimed at;
5 T* c3 G, Z' p% t2 oEnjoyment and discovery of music
, H W. S+ K" B% P, Q4 u8 S! wBuilding general musicianship
- o; ?% f7 B* F) u1 e1 ]: L: KGood solid foundations of flute skills- C# l" J a: B# g
The achievement of obtainable goals
2 T. ~) h. y$ N; \Building confidence and independence in the pupil
5 f- K9 c$ n) r+ k7 t+ p3 EThe aim should be to develop intelligent, intuitive musical beings, not simply note reading( P, f* {+ Z( I: }- s7 T* X3 j
flute blowing robots. At all levels the flute is the chosen tool but the subject is music. This
+ m7 w7 ~6 d; {& t0 Y! I: j: Qmeans music in all it`s forms, not a snobby hierarchy where classical is at the top and the
7 V0 g- Y5 O! N: F( Uother forms are subordinate. I do feel however that classical technique should be central to the
/ x0 H" w# \3 K$ l) fteaching as this gives a good and stable starting point for the investigation of other genre. We* R8 t- y+ A' R/ o o
should set our own biases aside and guide the pupil through all types of music so that they can
" G. @! v2 v* o' s& H$ E5 b `decide what it is that they like.
6 W, W* t* I0 o. ZYou should always keep in mind that…
' a4 O4 {( F! pYou can`t fit a square peg into a round hole8 Z4 G; |5 |0 i; k! z& O
You might however, over time, sand and form that peg to fit!$ W' u J8 q+ q/ A c2 l [! K
There`s no point in bashing your head against a wall. Do like Joshua at Jericho….- Y c- ~- I$ V9 K$ k! Q7 X4 L
' B" k$ h9 U2 N% sUse music and take the time it takes!!' o; @) J" F0 O- T) C8 i5 w: n
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
/ `* S6 {3 v1 |Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 6 -
1 ]! k7 y, q3 q+ ~! [The little people- 5-8 years5 U# H/ ?, T. ?! x+ n3 \5 J' q
Why?: v# P+ k. q3 L, J( S) ~4 o
Open and ready
3 \8 R) }% P ~7 j% Q k+ \8 u mBuild an early relationship to the
6 P/ a; I: N3 p4 A8 Tinstrument and music
' A4 S2 \2 e9 I( L* |6 k- k9 @6 pPlenty of time, no rush
1 o# D$ u" m3 G4 M: Z( Z' F/ E: FBasic skills are put in place early
5 c0 J9 G" S5 k' g/ ]Why not?' X5 I) m8 I$ g% h. c$ {2 L
Find it intimidating
7 x/ N6 N! o4 X' YEmbouchure problems
/ |/ D1 I) Y& z; S U2 G7 vSize of instrument
, g* v, I, i, hCost of instrument
( n3 J x9 c3 Q! g0 q1 Y- KUnable to concentrate very long
% W/ w0 B& w/ Y' z) @* E+ p2 S1 vWeigh the “why?” against the “why not?” and then the “why not?” against the “how?”. If7 a, I1 L- _; J1 o' O* I3 s
there are real benefits to starting earlier than usual then adjusting the method might give a+ y. a7 \4 F. M$ w2 @# p% R
way ahead. You should however give good consideration as to whether any of the difficulties
) {, l4 G" ^! ]$ x; ^) k* }$ Pin the “why not?” list can really be overcome.
8 ^+ [- I9 W' F9 DThe little people- how?1 ~& q( e5 n2 Y6 v$ r2 ]* T8 Z3 f
Yamaha fife
! m/ C3 w" P# BGroup teaching7 |6 m( ~' Y) y" k! c; m
Parental involvement& i' h$ x5 _! B+ F4 ?' q
Many activities- not just playing7 N0 x( B/ N8 U! l' c. J* n
One thing at a time
6 K. M! ], n% `' c: O" o$ M, B& |2 SPatience
6 H# n- l9 I6 S) j8 u( _$ tRegular ”performances”
$ S9 I1 g; K! g% b, i* ]; j1 ~FUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN
0 B1 T" y) _$ A7 a6 a, i$ j9-11 years- The traditional beginner age$ n7 |9 Z1 ?: U" Y( ?. R
Some general differences to the little people;2 h5 Y( U3 ^8 T0 V& H
A clearer idea of how a flute should( e8 s1 Z; u/ ~4 Y8 T) U' s5 T
sound
3 j3 S O( L9 G0 ]5 iMuch more peer conscious/ {: X- V8 Y0 N- B g
Impatient to improve0 Y" U7 _* e |. ~9 s" ]5 R
Become demotivated if progress is too
0 A9 W2 _6 F3 k6 K5 n: P& ?' m9 u* Xslow
2 p2 `' P1 m. n$ \; S; h9 i3 JBecome demotivated if progress is too* h" [6 c+ w! z3 p
fast!!/ J% D8 a% e& F
Because this group has some idea of what playing a flute really is, are impatient to forge# M8 v" P1 R) Q, ?& M, S, L: O
ahead but at the same time are sensitive to how they measure up to their peers a fine balance
; @8 ~! t% k/ D( }, dneeds to be made in the speed of progress.: q; z9 T0 P) u# `0 j. K
9-11 years- how?3 _- I, U: l3 h+ P5 K
Yamaha fife as a primer+ l& p/ X; V$ Z" T
Regular group lessons (unless it is- O" Y) L/ m0 C$ F8 q. Z' j m: G
problematic)4 G% B& o5 d- [+ Y) c0 ~
Parental involvement?, x0 F( x+ T5 ]5 j% o ~( g' V
Many activities- not just playing& j: J d& z% r$ t9 n) F
New challenges
+ @( `8 A6 o7 dPatience. }" N7 V: S: u0 |, R$ D
Allow pupil input- talk to them
! J' h4 t( d1 }# FPerformances?
; K9 B- L& r6 }FUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN) |- E' s5 j `" Z C
Teaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels" d2 Y5 _! |6 D4 t# r1 q3 o/ T
Copyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 7 -
5 W3 {5 ` o0 L+ m8 |Group lessons are useful as the lessons become very dynamic. However one must constantly0 M% ^/ @$ x1 U% S
evaluate the usefulness against problems like one pupil falling behind or another forging/ x3 Z$ q! P( ~9 H
ahead.
7 C/ }9 h2 U8 n7 ?: i0 C& `8 SLikewise the involvement of parents and performances can help in progress and confidence
# G2 `2 v, _8 e# Bbuilding. But some children in this age group (especially at the older end) prefer to be private. Y+ q, b5 {7 @3 a
about their playing and withdraw into the safety of the group. In such a situation the interest
6 D8 u G6 x% E+ |8 v9 a' y( Iand enthusiasm of parents might be unwelcome and received in quite a hostile manner.
9 s G' d( S$ O" i' Q1 iPerformances can also be a problem with this sort of child, with them unwilling to play for the& I# Y4 x7 Y( V4 I
usual audience of family and peers. They will however, often be willing to play in a group
5 |& t9 O4 d* ~0 j/ q: f8 M8 bsetting for strangers rather than be the only who hasn`t played on a concert.8 j, a! z2 U' z
Adolescence- The danger zone
- z7 R5 N! B7 u6 h$ HWhy do many suddenly quit playing, for no apparent reason, as they reach their early teens?2 `% T" ^) g% K/ E3 j, c- h
Why?' E* x8 `( U# D; {1 b+ p) h; N' B0 p
A need to exercise control over their own9 J# {: m, p, }4 i7 y
lives? [$ P3 M. G, {' ^. F8 ?/ B* @( d
Trying to make a point with their
+ _7 ], B G; c) @6 Lparents?: i( Q5 E, y: i/ M2 C0 o
Hormonal turmoil?
" z2 M/ F6 j. A# S. l6 s7 K2 DChanging interests?
& a6 H& R3 Y# N* ^5 n# q$ n# JA wish to blend in with the gang?
( }1 b, C& S; F1 OPressure of school work?- i7 ?: T) P8 Q9 M5 o- t
How?
! Q$ }! ]* A* h$ d$ ?Give them some control over lesson5 Y, Q, y1 o) A
content
+ i, {6 f; [0 q9 u7 d: |Cut the parents out of the loop! q0 F* a& C+ [1 I9 ]. }
Be friendly but keep some distance!
/ L# i, F9 x& y* uOnly natural that interests might change
) D- U. N7 m" S; lHelp them to gain status amongst their+ }; u) X- D2 y4 |# h' M
peers
4 i2 m' d* t) w5 y9 mDon`t pressure them about practice; b( v# |. Y* u! x9 }$ k$ y
If you can help them through this period they will probably
# l1 Q# T5 x/ `carry on playing for many years
5 V6 @3 z+ ~( d4 \, l1 fSome generalisations
% Z& h4 _% G& m, e) \Girls versus Boys
: a6 q+ G, e9 F4 I. e+ G: Q" POther girls play flute
1 `1 h% e3 ~ m( V5 }( \" T1 rEasily influenced by peer pressure
: B# D7 ^+ m+ p0 S' |* LBetter concentration and fine motoric1 g( {& @9 `/ `% o
skills at an earlier age% ~1 ^% T; Y- K
Easily discouraged if they feel they are
' N0 g$ Y1 V1 \* [, r4 `1 bbehind in group
+ N* r# v* H Y* n9 ^9 tConscious and individual choice
( R, ?5 p6 W) Y9 aOpinionated
" q4 k+ r% B) ` w% UTechnically minded; fast progress driven
" O$ B2 I9 i1 [8 b( ]! z! k$ ~: ^0 Aby a need to understand* s" r, L7 v6 N" Z2 g4 X0 t8 _- z! ^
Show uncertainty through disruptive4 e1 t& g# J0 ~
behaviour/ D) z' P$ e P! j# ] O% l3 y
The general reasons behind a boy or a girl choosing the flute might have some bearing on how
7 J# [' b. c! x% ]/ [5 Myou teach the individual. In general flute is seen as a typical girl`s instrument and this means! P. H3 W- u2 u
that a boy who chooses the flute has often thought long and hard about it.6 Z$ j& W' a, g8 D6 i
Likewise the differences between the genders can also play a part in how you choose to teach2 ~: t8 a! T+ }4 W
a certain pupil. There can also be geographical differences connected to different schools. I u, E- M1 s) b& T' R
will often adjust my teaching style depending on which school I am at and the general way! g, ?/ Y }# t# {
that children from that school interact with me.
8 f5 D# ~1 D9 }3 ~) r! CTeaching flute at the beginner and intermediate levels
6 k7 f- r w! L1 FCopyright; Dean Stallard 2003 - 8 -
6 t6 s) R$ S6 W4 R$ UDiscipline!!* N, P8 L# e) a; l/ {8 J
Important in group teaching if it`s going to be fun6 @% d/ m( K4 L3 W U+ x
You don`t need to scream and shout
4 `! I2 n# t; a, M+ fSometimes you don`t need to say anything at all* t2 K" a3 N1 I. d; t
Self discipline in a group is the same as respect for the others, [0 R8 v# A% D* x- B1 O) y; U, D+ b/ o
Poor discipline can be a sign that you are on the wrong track) @1 N6 Y8 Y4 W: K/ O$ g, L2 \
Discipline doesn`t need to be overt control by the teacher, but it is an important factor if6 ]0 n J- N' {( u/ e! ]9 [
lessons are going to be productive and fun. Many of my pupils complain that their day at9 T( ?& u) F% m5 l4 a2 A h5 y
school is tiring and sometimes stressful simply because there is so much noise in the
' P) l* Q9 U# ]2 G- Tclassroom. Some children react very badly to group disorder and things get very quickly
* d. p/ {' J% a9 f8 xboring and out of hand if minor discipline problems are not taken care of immediately.
; X1 r- F$ M( \6 O4 N3 j: X& g! ~If the group is in turmoil then your shouting “QUIET” simply adds to the noise level. If you
- L4 H2 L4 R, c+ H/ \start talking in a normal voice then chances are that the kids will quieten down because they9 t. ?5 R9 @: N p! S
are afraid they are missing something. Sometimes saying nothing at all, simply standing and
, {' I; `- G$ Z5 K' r1 V3 }2 V4 Ewaiting can have the desired effect, or to tackle a disruptive influence simply moving closer to
4 v* p: B7 J: n$ |them or looking at them is enough.$ e" p Q1 m6 p4 C
One should work at making the group self-disciplining, with pupils showing respect not only. A/ b, [( o J! x2 b' r5 e: f
yot you as a teacher but to the rest of the group. Respect of course is a two way street and by5 a9 Y4 I s7 z, Q! @
you treating all pupils respectfully they will learn that this is the correct way to act.8 }+ A1 i4 L: T) l$ v
Lessons should contain;
2 o, h/ O/ r9 D" x, g2 N! ^Playing by ear/ imitation
" ?8 Z& I3 u- q/ R NImprovisation/ creative work
% O5 }# j" w2 C# g' m; |! G- ARhythm work
: I# M2 v" E: R6 Q. s FPolyphonic playing
* ]& _8 I- t2 C' p ]Theory in practice1 n, p( L) [) X m! O1 |! G5 p
Using notation
+ x) n7 ~- e/ a6 _! nPerformance training/confidence F( b3 P8 L% w! ?1 Q; o: @/ U
building, v% C3 J' }& a' K) B
FUN, FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN& X3 J5 [. O% j6 Y1 i
PRAISE, PRAISE AND MORE PRAISE
5 f+ e: ~% Z( P9 p3 _4 u v* {Remember that the goal is to create musical beings. Working in a consolidation pattern will b4 b8 T4 @& C7 l" e1 Y
help the pupils to have “aha” experiences where they recognise what they already know. I feel
! e9 B8 V, l6 w6 B; B" Mthis is also true of theory and notation. If the child already knows something before it is
* N0 ^! }3 L4 Cintroduced in the written form then they are more likely to couple it with past experience and# @+ d$ B. l' r% T# x* @. m. _
remember it. This is especially true at the beginner level where I feel that notation should' _7 n; B% k( a9 ^' U; y6 R: h9 T
never be used to technically advance the child.
: B! J! d5 U, F, _9 x8 w1 p- ?" eTeaching kids is rewarding but can at times be tiring. Remember;
6 o T* T1 D+ i5 cPatience is a virtue/ C, x S0 d L$ \4 ^0 W" v
Everything comes to those who wait
+ f! \5 X+ c/ ]. Z6 M1 A9 _And finally…………………….
# e6 y; @/ u. VIf it ain`t no fun then what`s the point!?! |
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