As an overall approach:
Let the children know that the instrument is their friend, and the means by which they can play the tunes.
NOT that the instrument is an enemy that they must subdue to their will, and then force it to play tunes.
Oh, and watch out for the parent who wants to take over the outfit to showcase their amazingly talented child. Parents trying to live through their kids are tough to deal with.
Well, there's a lot of factors involved. As bribanjo says, there'll be kids there who don't really want to be there -- their parents want them there. You'll have to learn to cope with that, it'll be a matter of degree. There'll be the aforementioned parents who want to have their kids do the stuff they would like to do themselves. (Give them a pennywhistle and suggest that they learn along with their kid in order to help them learn.)
One thing that surprised me when I started teaching was that you can't predict ahead of time which students will do well and stick with it. They have a way of surprising you. So don't have any expectations of the students other than that they'll have fun while learning at a speed that works for them. Don't be afraid of asking for self-discipline from them, both in class and in practicing at home, they'll eventually respect you for it if you're not too stuffy about it and they'll learn to respect their own self-discipline. Expect that they'll be polite to each other and to their teachers. As your students, they partially carry your name and reputation in their hands. Make sure they behave in a way consistent with that.
And for your own sanity, teach them early on that the instrument is not a toy and not to be tweeted upon as loudly as possible.
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eirrean have produced a full programme for teaching traditional Irish Music in junior schools in Ireland. You could ask them for a copy?
As a primary school teacher, I always try to get a mix of different things going. Not just playing instruments, but listening and talking, singing, doing some rhythm work etc.
My ex tutor has a little bag of 'tricks' for when her violin pupils just don't want play their fiddles. She says this helps their general musicality...after all some kids just haven't had a lot of experience of music (like life) and find the instrument arduous. She's never afraid to let parents know of her methodology before their children join her...so NO conflict. She also says she thinks grades for most kids is what puts them off the most.
It certainly put my daughters off when at school they were told they had to do this grade or that to be able to play.
traditional music and teaching
traditional music and teaching
Hello everyone it’s good to be back, after being away from the posts here
Finally I’ve put together an association devoted to traditional music and teaching children’s to play and dance.
I need some tips if possible; it’s just so many things going on here.
# Posted on July 1st 2004 by pitnekit
Re: traditional music and teaching
Welcome back, pitnekit! So, um. Tips on what, specifically?
# Posted on July 1st 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: traditional music and teaching
As an overall approach:
Let the children know that the instrument is their friend, and the means by which they can play the tunes.
NOT that the instrument is an enemy that they must subdue to their will, and then force it to play tunes.
Good luck now!
Dave
# Posted on July 1st 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: traditional music and teaching
well they have d whistles but I canot expect a great evolution this year..... i'm talking about 6 to 10 years old kids
the whistle is nice and resistent to those little devils
# Posted on July 1st 2004 by pitnekit
Re: traditional music and teaching
Make it fun.
# Posted on July 2nd 2004 by rainog
Re: traditional music and teaching
Oh, and watch out for the parent who wants to take over the outfit to showcase their amazingly talented child. Parents trying to live through their kids are tough to deal with.
# Posted on July 2nd 2004 by rainog
Re: traditional music and teaching
Well, there's a lot of factors involved. As bribanjo says, there'll be kids there who don't really want to be there -- their parents want them there. You'll have to learn to cope with that, it'll be a matter of degree. There'll be the aforementioned parents who want to have their kids do the stuff they would like to do themselves. (Give them a pennywhistle and suggest that they learn along with their kid in order to help them learn.)
One thing that surprised me when I started teaching was that you can't predict ahead of time which students will do well and stick with it. They have a way of surprising you. So don't have any expectations of the students other than that they'll have fun while learning at a speed that works for them. Don't be afraid of asking for self-discipline from them, both in class and in practicing at home, they'll eventually respect you for it if you're not too stuffy about it and they'll learn to respect their own self-discipline. Expect that they'll be polite to each other and to their teachers. As your students, they partially carry your name and reputation in their hands. Make sure they behave in a way consistent with that.
And for your own sanity, teach them early on that the instrument is not a toy and not to be tweeted upon as loudly as possible.
6-10 years old is a great age to teach. Have fun!
# Posted on July 2nd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: traditional music and teaching
They are the quickest tune learners at that age!
# Posted on July 2nd 2004 by geoffwright
Re: traditional music and teaching
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eirrean have produced a full programme for teaching traditional Irish Music in junior schools in Ireland. You could ask them for a copy?
# Posted on July 2nd 2004 by Piano Accordion
Re: traditional music and teaching
Kids imitate their parents. If the parents want the kids to learn an instrument, they should set an example and learn along with them.
# Posted on July 2nd 2004 by rocking bow
Re: traditional music and teaching
As a primary school teacher, I always try to get a mix of different things going. Not just playing instruments, but listening and talking, singing, doing some rhythm work etc.
My ex tutor has a little bag of 'tricks' for when her violin pupils just don't want play their fiddles. She says this helps their general musicality...after all some kids just haven't had a lot of experience of music (like life) and find the instrument arduous. She's never afraid to let parents know of her methodology before their children join her...so NO conflict. She also says she thinks grades for most kids is what puts them off the most.
It certainly put my daughters off when at school they were told they had to do this grade or that to be able to play.
Surely it must be FUN. Otherwise why do it?
SUE
# Posted on July 3rd 2004 by Susie-Lee