Klarinet Archive - Posting 000141.txt from 2006/03

From: hns692@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Help with teaching
Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2006 09:43:28 -0500

I have just finished giving 25 clarinet, sax, oboe and flute students (10
and 11 years old) their 6 "free" lessons (those given with the rental/purchase
of an instrument). The majority of them, even if they have played a piano
or violin previously, had minimal understanding of music. I find that using
the abcdefg concept works well . . . they also have to understand the
"linearness" of the notes -- the up-and-down concept -- and the up-and-down of their
fingers raising and lowering notes. And, that whole, half, and every other
note always looks the same and is always called the same name. Once they have
an idea that there is some static quality to playing an instrument, it gets
easier fast. But, they have to be given the information and to have visual
reinforcement. I use reproductions from various fingering charts and
information on the pyramid chart of how many notes are in a whole note along with
other "technical" information that comes with the charts. They also have to
have the idea that their brain and fingers are in training and it sometimes
takes a while for everything to fit together.

The kids grasp this information quickly and after the six lessons some of
them were playing well beyond entry level in school band (and it becomes a
hindrance at times). They were also having fun were encouraged to try to go
beyond and try new things by themselves if they wanted. The worst problem I have
in all cases is getting a clarinet student "over the break." Their hands
are usually not large enough to accommodate nine fingers covering holes or
holding keys down without a lot of patience and perseverance (to say nothing
about reed handling).

There's other "stuff" too, but the kids are great and fun to teach, and they
are all doing very well.

Lee Ann Hansen

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