 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Natalie UK
Date: 2000-11-24 18:52
Hey there
I'm 18 and from England, and teach the clarinet to primary school kids (that's about 8-11yr olds). I'm about to put two of them infor their grade 1 and 2 exams, but HOW do I go about teaching the Aural?! I've got the books, and I've done it all myself...but it was SO long ago!! It's so damn hard to fit that into a half hour lesson too! I'm also having problems in getting the grade 1 to play in time. She can count really well, but she tends to kind of stammer her notes, it's hard to describe, but when I'm accompanying her it's really hard to keep her going. I've tried using a metrinome with her to keep her on the beat, but it just isn't working!! She's got a pretty crappy clarinet as well (her dad's 30yr old one - groan) but I've given her one of my mouthpieces, ligatures and reeds! That improved the sound, but she's finding it hard to get some of the notes out still. She doesn't practice either, but hell, neither did I at that age!! Can anyone give me any advice?
Natalie
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-11-24 19:09
Make the student going for grade one wait a little longer. She just isn't ready. It's much better to wait until she is ready than to set up a pattern of testing and failing or testing and getting by on luck or kindness of the examiner. Also check her instrument for leaky pads and weak springs. If there aren't too many, it is relatively cheap to fix and can make a world of difference.
Find positive ways to reinforce the concept of practicing. Little mini rewards often help. For example on an exercise where you know she has practiced and does a little better than normal, place a sticker on the sheet next to the exercise. This works quite well in this age group.
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Author: Daniel Bouwmeeszer
Date: 2000-11-25 21:49
Natalie, the best I can recommend..
Get the books, the cassettes or cds or whatever...
you will probably need a piano to teach that.. and if you can't play the piano, you'll have to get a pianist.... I don't know.. but maybe the cassetes / cds are sufficient..
If you're really stuck.... write to my mum at jgenton@ecolint.ch
she has been teaching piano, clarinet anf aural tests for ABRSM exams for many years..
Tell her I gave you her email..
Good luck
Daniel Bouwmeester
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2000-11-26 21:49
Natalie:
I've been teaching the clarinet for about 50 years in the US and do not understand all of your problem. I do agree with several answers which you have received which mention that mini rewards work wonders. The more positive encouragement you can give to a young (or older) beginner the more receptive they will be.
Many times the physical size of an individual can be a handicap. Do their fingers cover the holes, especially in the lower section? Are they holding the instrument in correct position (not allowing straying fingers to accidentally push down on the wrong keys, etc.)? How is their embrouchure? Are they supporting the tone with their tummies, etc. There are just so many automatic things that you have learn to look for that only experience will teach you as you go along.
Please explain a little more to me about the "aural exam" to which you refer? Is this a verbal or playing test? With a better clue maybe I might be able to shed some light on this. If you want to contact me more direct go to my e-mail address: BobCPhoto@wcnet.net. Good luck in your teaching.
Bob Curtis
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