Thursday, October 15, 2009
PLN #6
This week, I found an interesting article on the Music Ed Lounge titled Beginning Flute Notes. I'm not a flute player, and I've never been taught anything about playing the flute, so I have no concept of the challenges that the beginning player faces. However, I found not just this post, but also the responses very intriguing. I was interested to look at the approaches and the reasoning that these proactive educators are using to change the way they approach traditional problems instead of using the traditional instruction methods. I think that it is important that we allow ourselves as educators to examine not only what, but how we're teaching what we are. Without self-evaluation and re-examination of our techniques, our art form won't grow as a whole.
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Do you have a link to this site? As someone who just took flute in my methods class, I would be very intrigued to take a look at it.
ReplyDeleteYes, as a flute player, I'm quite interested in a link to this site.
ReplyDeleteI searched and found this (http://stengel99.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/beginning-flute-notes/), which is what I assume you're describing.
I think it's a great idea to alter the beginning notes. However, I suggest you ignore the comment that says to teach the alternate Bb fingering first (often called Thumb Bb). It's certainly an easier fingering, but it would be harder to learn how to use the chromatic fingering after you've used the alternate.
I actually didn't alter the beginning flute notes when I was teaching. The C-D finger switch is hard, but most students who were having relative success on the instrument were just fine after some practice. I always had them practice fingerings in their lap so they could see what they were doing (then transfer to playing position). It's a similar concept to going over the break on clarinet. The blog author's suggestion delays this tricky finger switch for a bit, which makes sense since the players have time to build their other skills and general confidence before approaching the challenge.
Good luck in any case. Beginning flute is difficult because everything about it is so abstract for little ones (e.g. - embouchure, instrument position, insane amount of air required since it doesn't all flow into the instrument).
Nathan!
ReplyDeleteI am also not a flute player by any means. Flute was probably my worse instrument. It's so difficult to make a noise on that thing! I'll try to search for the article because I know Case puts a strong emphasis on learning the instruments. Two semesters later I was required to teach three periods of beginning flute to classrooms of 26 5th grade flute players for instrumental methods. It was hilarious.....and humiliating....and difficult. Flute advice would be appreciated. Let me know how you like the Flute Skills and Pedagogy course.
This is very important for all future music educators. We need to know vast amounts of information for all the instruments available. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful site - I'm going to add it to my Social Bookmarking page!
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