Klarinet Archive - Posting 000883.txt from 2000/03

From: "Patricia Smith" <pattiesmith@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] re: good beginner books
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2000 18:29:00 -0500

Dee, thanks for going into the details that I did not. I tend to alter what
I do according to each particular student's needs (and try to thoroughly
ignore parents who want the child to catch up and pass the entire band in 6
months). I am finding, for example, that I am not introducing tonguing at
all until I feel the student is breathing correctly, forming the correct
embouchure and holding the instrument right. This can take quite some time
for some kids. I am also finding that when I wait to introduce tonguing,
they seem to do better at it, and they also do it independently of other
things such as breathing, etc.
It is interesting that you feel one could skip the Intermediate Rubank. I
see where you are coming from on that one. It does have its uses, however.
There is a little more melodic material and the focus is even more obviously
on scales. For me as a teacher, I think it probably best serves students I
get after two or three years in band who are not ready for the Advanced
books but are past the Beginning Stage. Don't forget also, there is a
Rubank Supplemental Studies Book that can be used with the first two books
or with other methods. I like it because each study has a particular
articulatory, form or dynamic focus.
John Sheridan wrote, "...anything that gets them interested and practicing
is worth the bucks." I agree, John. However, one need not have to spend
lots of money, to give the children the melodic material they crave. I like
to help develop ear training and reading skills in the following way: I
will have the student select a song he or she likes, and ask the child to
play it on the horn; then we write down what was played. Next, we play
what was written, see how close it is to what the song is supposed to sound
like, and revise it to what it needs to be. If students learn listening
skills early, they have more musical options later.
Patty Smith

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