Author: nellsonic
Date: 2016-07-30 00:04
I would teach them tetrachords once they can play down to a low F. From there you can later easily build all the scales. A tetrachord in this case means the first four notes of a given major scale, played up and down.
Tetrachords have many advantages: 1) they are easy for students to retain and feel the pattern of since they are only four notes, 2) they can be repeated several times in a row in quarter notes at a moderate tempo without wearing students out while building muscle memory and endurance, 3) they are ideal for teaching proper hand position, especially if students can play them in front of a mirror. I've seen my beginners really take off with this approach since I started using it in the last few months.
This method also works well with older students who struggle to master and retain scales.
Here's the sequence I start beginners with. The numbers indicate the octave with F1 being the low F, F2 being throat F, etc.:
C1, G1, F1, D1, F scale (F1+C1) and arpeggio , G scale (G1+D1) and arpeggio.
From there it might diverge a bit depending on the student, but in a group situation I would probably follow with: F2, Bb1, E2, A1, Bb scale and arp., E scale and arp.
It's much simpler in practice than it looks here.
We also work on building the chromatic scale in small segments with lots of "saying and fingering" (note names) and have a "warm-up scale" (C Major) that we gradually add notes to until it is: low C up to throat A down to low E and back up to C that we play in half-notes, adding quarter notes, quarter notes tongued twice (paired 8th notes), and straight 8ths as they are ready.
Beginners are fun! It's very rewarding to get them set up for success so that they avoid many potential roadblocks later on, and to see and nurture their excitement at making music for the first time.
Tone production and articulation are also crucial of course - not just fingers!
I love the idea of colored stickers for the pinkie keys - especially for a class situation!
Anders
Post Edited (2016-07-30 01:47)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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