I have the opportunity to teach a new elective at my middle school (11 to 15 year olds). I've been to sessions but have never been a regular at them. We have a group of kids who play acoustic instruments who would also like the opportunity to play together. They often play at lunch if they can find a space. However, this class would be open to all students, no matter previous experience or level of playing. There wouldn't be more than 9 of them at a time. Before I have to tell my Head Master that I will run a session, I need to know more about it. How does one run a good session? What makes a session work? What do I need to do to make it successful?
My objective is to get them to listen to each other and play for the music, not necessarily for the applause.
Well, if you have to have rank beginners as well as more experienced musicians, I think this would be hard. For most slow sessions to work the players have to have the basic ability to play their instruments...not well mind you, but they should be able to play a tune with some speed.
If they can all play, simply teach them a tune by ear breaking it down into 2 measure sections...very slowly. Keep going over a section and move on to the next bit. Before you know it, they'll have a tune. Then, you practice that tune next time - at a faster clip, and perhaps start working on another.
I like slow sessions - great way to pick up tunes.
The nice thing about one of the sessions I go to is that the more experienced players will often show tunes and techniques to the less experienced players, by playing for them, by writing parts on beer mats, by repeatedly playing teeny bits for the learner to play back till it sticks.
This all assumes that everyone actually wants to be there - and that the music is by the players and for the players. It can look chaotic at times, but the focus and concentration in their eyes is something to see.
"If they can all play, simply teach them a tune by ear breaking it down into 2 measure sections...very slowly. Keep going over a section and move on to the next bit. Before you know it, they'll have a tune. Then, you practice that tune next time - at a faster clip, and perhaps start working on another."
That's what my high school music teacher did. (There were four of us, and we were all at approximately the same level.)
Generally, we would learn a new tune every second week, by ear, (although we would write them down after learning it so that we could remember it to practice it), and then spend the rest of the time playing old ones.
And, like others above, I've been to some lovely teaching sessions where tunes are shared by playng a few bars at a time, with notation to take home for practice.
Unfortunately, your students can't get into most bars for a "field trip." There used to be a session at Wilde Oscar's in SF that kids could hear (I'd brought my 10 year old a few times) because they had a full kitchen too. But sadly, that session ended. I' not sure where to send you for that. Perhaps the Espresso Garden in San Jose...?
Anyway, wish I'd had this opportunity when I was in school
- good luck!
If they are anything like my student son - don't start it before 11 pm - he will only just be going out, and don't think of finishing before 4am - no lectures in the morning.
We'd be together the last period of the day for about 55 minutes. That would be from about 2:30 to 3:30. Our school day is longer than most here in California. So, that makes field trips out. There are some local jam sessions that don't go too late that also restaurants, we could arrange to meet there a few times, perhaps.
This sounds like a great opportunity for kids to learn to learn by ear - and being young, they will probably get the idea pretty quickly. Kids being kids, some of them will probably want to show off by outplaying each other, so it's your responsibility to keep the tunes at a manageable pace.
It occurs to me that since, as regards traditional music, they are (I assume) all starting from scratch, and they will all naturally learn at different rates, there will very quickly be a discrepancy between their abilities. So, broadly speaking, there will be a point where the participants will fall into two categories: those that can play the tune(s) and those that can't - as distinct from a 'real' session, where a certain amount of common repertoire is a given for any participant. The faster learners will probably very quickly get frustrated with playing everything at learning speed, or phrase by phrase, and will want to be allowed to play their repertoire 'unshackled'. So it might be necessary eventually to establish two separate groups - one for 'learners' and one for 'players'. The two need not be mutually exclusive - the players can attend the learners' group to add to their repertoires, and the slower learners can join the players in the tunes that they have mastered - the 'learners' become 'players' as soon as they learn a tune, and the 'players' never stop being 'learners' (This is something that should be pointed out to all the kids). Meanwhile, if and when the players' group takes on a musical life of its own, it will serve as an excellent role model and incentive to the learners.
That's my theory, anyway.
And finally, I am not Murfbox, I am *spoon* posting as Murfbox.
This is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. I love the links Keith D. sent. I can ask them all to read some of these musings and maybe some excerpts from Last Night's Fun as we go through the year.
Spoon/Murfbox has a good point. Learners to Players, Players are always Learners. And all of them need to learn when to sit out and why it's not a disgrace.
I think it might be impossible to find tunes not on this site!
Well, science camp is over and we are back to school tomorrow. Wish me luck, I'm talking to the head lady about starting a session tomorrow morning. Wee-hoo!
if you're going to send them home with recordings, how about giving them tunes for the next lesson? that way, you can get it caught in their ear, so that learning by ear wont be so difficult.
most people who learn by ear use this method: listen, listen, listen! the third listen is a teacher or a pause button, where you pick apart each phrase. the other two are casual listening and then attentive listening.
give the students something to work on without you, that way they will own the music more, as well as be more eager to listen as you help them work on the tunes they struggled with at home. you should also do some tunes that are not pre-recorded, because this creates a sense of learning and community that can not be replicated by a cd.
also, give them some dots sometime if they want it! practice all three ways to approach tunes; you'll be able to figure out the right proportion of methods tha will work for your group (or if you want to use every method). the methods are: entirely by ear (both tunes that are fresh, and tunes that have been pre-listened to), ear with sheet music (you can hand it out while you're learning the tune by ear, or afterword), and then giving them sheet music to learn without ever having heard the tune.
How to run a students' session?
How to run a students' session?
I have the opportunity to teach a new elective at my middle school (11 to 15 year olds). I've been to sessions but have never been a regular at them. We have a group of kids who play acoustic instruments who would also like the opportunity to play together. They often play at lunch if they can find a space. However, this class would be open to all students, no matter previous experience or level of playing. There wouldn't be more than 9 of them at a time. Before I have to tell my Head Master that I will run a session, I need to know more about it. How does one run a good session? What makes a session work? What do I need to do to make it successful?
My objective is to get them to listen to each other and play for the music, not necessarily for the applause.
Advice?
# Posted on May 26th 2006 by Meri-pixie
Re: How to run a students' session?
Well, if you have to have rank beginners as well as more experienced musicians, I think this would be hard. For most slow sessions to work the players have to have the basic ability to play their instruments...not well mind you, but they should be able to play a tune with some speed.
If they can all play, simply teach them a tune by ear breaking it down into 2 measure sections...very slowly. Keep going over a section and move on to the next bit. Before you know it, they'll have a tune. Then, you practice that tune next time - at a faster clip, and perhaps start working on another.
I like slow sessions - great way to pick up tunes.
Eric
# Posted on May 26th 2006 by Jayhawk
Re: How to run a students' session?
The nice thing about one of the sessions I go to is that the more experienced players will often show tunes and techniques to the less experienced players, by playing for them, by writing parts on beer mats, by repeatedly playing teeny bits for the learner to play back till it sticks.
This all assumes that everyone actually wants to be there - and that the music is by the players and for the players. It can look chaotic at times, but the focus and concentration in their eyes is something to see.
# Posted on May 26th 2006 by billiamconkey
Re: How to run a students' session?
"If they can all play, simply teach them a tune by ear breaking it down into 2 measure sections...very slowly. Keep going over a section and move on to the next bit. Before you know it, they'll have a tune. Then, you practice that tune next time - at a faster clip, and perhaps start working on another."
That's what my high school music teacher did. (There were four of us, and we were all at approximately the same level.)
Generally, we would learn a new tune every second week, by ear, (although we would write them down after learning it so that we could remember it to practice it), and then spend the rest of the time playing old ones.
# Posted on May 26th 2006 by Toresica
Re: How to run a students' session?
Meri-P,
Please forgive me if this is off-track, but since you say you've not been a regular at session, here are some links to good descriptions of sessions:
http://www.theploughandstars.com/
(click on the word "seisiun" - there are some good book ref's at the bottom of this page)
http://www.belfastfolk.co.uk/reflections/index11.asp
http://www.folkplanet.com/cce/
And, like others above, I've been to some lovely teaching sessions where tunes are shared by playng a few bars at a time, with notation to take home for practice.
Unfortunately, your students can't get into most bars for a "field trip." There used to be a session at Wilde Oscar's in SF that kids could hear (I'd brought my 10 year old a few times) because they had a full kitchen too. But sadly, that session ended. I' not sure where to send you for that. Perhaps the Espresso Garden in San Jose...?
Anyway, wish I'd had this opportunity when I was in school
- good luck!
# Posted on May 26th 2006 by Keith Dubinsky
Re: How to run a students' session?
If they are anything like my student son - don't start it before 11 pm - he will only just be going out, and don't think of finishing before 4am - no lectures in the morning.
# Posted on May 27th 2006 by geoffwright
Re: How to run a students' session?
We'd be together the last period of the day for about 55 minutes. That would be from about 2:30 to 3:30. Our school day is longer than most here in California. So, that makes field trips out. There are some local jam sessions that don't go too late that also restaurants, we could arrange to meet there a few times, perhaps.
Any tips for weening them off sheet music?
# Posted on May 27th 2006 by Meri-pixie
Re: How to run a students' session?
Teach by ear, and send them home with a recording to back it up. Try to find a tune that hasn't been transcribed yet on this website...
# Posted on May 27th 2006 by Keith Dubinsky
Re: How to run a students' session?
This sounds like a great opportunity for kids to learn to learn by ear - and being young, they will probably get the idea pretty quickly. Kids being kids, some of them will probably want to show off by outplaying each other, so it's your responsibility to keep the tunes at a manageable pace.
It occurs to me that since, as regards traditional music, they are (I assume) all starting from scratch, and they will all naturally learn at different rates, there will very quickly be a discrepancy between their abilities. So, broadly speaking, there will be a point where the participants will fall into two categories: those that can play the tune(s) and those that can't - as distinct from a 'real' session, where a certain amount of common repertoire is a given for any participant. The faster learners will probably very quickly get frustrated with playing everything at learning speed, or phrase by phrase, and will want to be allowed to play their repertoire 'unshackled'. So it might be necessary eventually to establish two separate groups - one for 'learners' and one for 'players'. The two need not be mutually exclusive - the players can attend the learners' group to add to their repertoires, and the slower learners can join the players in the tunes that they have mastered - the 'learners' become 'players' as soon as they learn a tune, and the 'players' never stop being 'learners' (This is something that should be pointed out to all the kids). Meanwhile, if and when the players' group takes on a musical life of its own, it will serve as an excellent role model and incentive to the learners.
That's my theory, anyway.
And finally, I am not Murfbox, I am *spoon* posting as Murfbox.
# Posted on May 28th 2006 by murfbox
Re: How to run a students' session?
This is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. I love the links Keith D. sent. I can ask them all to read some of these musings and maybe some excerpts from Last Night's Fun as we go through the year.
Spoon/Murfbox has a good point. Learners to Players, Players are always Learners. And all of them need to learn when to sit out and why it's not a disgrace.
I think it might be impossible to find tunes not on this site!
# Posted on May 28th 2006 by Meri-pixie
Re: How to run a students' session?
I don't have advice, just applause and lots of good wishes. You've already gotten some fine ideas here, though.
Brava and thanks for helping power the sessions of the future.
# Posted on May 28th 2006 by cathrynb
Re: How to run a students' session?
Well, science camp is over and we are back to school tomorrow. Wish me luck, I'm talking to the head lady about starting a session tomorrow morning. Wee-hoo!
# Posted on May 30th 2006 by Meri-pixie
Re: How to run a students' session?
if you're going to send them home with recordings, how about giving them tunes for the next lesson? that way, you can get it caught in their ear, so that learning by ear wont be so difficult.
most people who learn by ear use this method: listen, listen, listen! the third listen is a teacher or a pause button, where you pick apart each phrase. the other two are casual listening and then attentive listening.
give the students something to work on without you, that way they will own the music more, as well as be more eager to listen as you help them work on the tunes they struggled with at home. you should also do some tunes that are not pre-recorded, because this creates a sense of learning and community that can not be replicated by a cd.
also, give them some dots sometime if they want it! practice all three ways to approach tunes; you'll be able to figure out the right proportion of methods tha will work for your group (or if you want to use every method). the methods are: entirely by ear (both tunes that are fresh, and tunes that have been pre-listened to), ear with sheet music (you can hand it out while you're learning the tune by ear, or afterword), and then giving them sheet music to learn without ever having heard the tune.
# Posted on May 30th 2006 by daiv