I’m now in my fifth 12 months of educating on the elementary degree, having survived the transition from secondary educating…in addition to a worldwide pandemic.
I train recorder to my college students over two years (Grades 3 & 4), with a number of guiding ideas:
- College students are studying easy methods to learn notation and make music on a wind instrument from written notation.
- It’s a pre-band expertise, permitting college students to expertise taking part in a wind instrument.
- It’s an reasonably priced instrument, the place each pupil should purchase their very own—or we will present one for them.
- It backs up all the basis we have now laid in earlier years, combining pitch, rhythm, and expression.
- It may be extremely enjoyable.
My first 12 months, I used our present literature, which was Recorder Karate. Although I nonetheless use songs from Recorder Karate, I don’t use it completely. I needed to increase upon what I taught, and there was a request in our district to not use “Karate” as it could be thought of cultural appropriation. I don’t need to get right into a debate about that, however as I needed so as to add to Recorder Karate, it was time to increase what I used to be doing.
I additionally didn’t like coping with the tears and anger once I couldn’t “go” a pupil on a belt degree. That was brutal, and it didn’t have to occur.
I’ve been shopping for each recorder technique I can, notably these with video and audio sources, and making play alongside movies with that materials, in addition to tapping into the sources supplied by many lecturers on YouTube. No, I can not share the movies I make for recorder from present content material—it’s for my use solely (sorry!).
I do know there are some recorder strategies that begin with E above center C (effectively, really an octave greater…however in written notation at any price), however most strategies begin with B, add A, after which G. From the quantity of sources in the marketplace, I assume that many music lecturers don’t progress past BAG.
The strategies, nonetheless, do transcend BAG, and whereas there may be some distinction in what notes come subsequent, I’ve been including E, D, then C’ (excessive C), then D’ (Excessive D). And my college students haven’t actually gone previous these notes, although I’ve content material for E’, low C, F, F-sharp, and B-flat as effectively.
For this put up, I assumed I’d merely report on the strategies which my college students discover most satisfying. I’m not trying to criticize any technique, and at this level, I’ve been working with no less than a dozen strategies plus another sources.
Within the class of “old-fashioned” recorder, however not likely “previous,” is the Ed Sueta “Be a Recorder Star” technique. The accompaniments are wonderful, and the online software is a pleasure to play with. My solely criticism is that the net model doesn’t point out the present word or measure whereas the track is performed/carried out—and may the tactic ever be up to date, that’s what I want to see added. My college students actually benefit from the songs and the accompaniments. You would need to go to Macie Publishing for pricing—however it is a wonderful useful resource. They do provide a trial interval if you wish to see what it’s all about. I’d additionally prefer to see a digital ebook 2, however then once more, if most lecturers aren’t going previous BAG, that’s a number of work for a really small variety of gross sales.
The second technique I’d counsel, together with Be a Recorder Star (or another technique) is the YouTube Channel Music With Mr. Grey. Mr. Grey has created a sequence of movies for recorder (ukulele, percussion, and so forth.) which are utterly newly composed items of music (No “Scorching Cross Buns”) that my college students like to play. They’re extremely effectively completed, and are free—although I strongly encourage shopping for a number of the different sources that Mr. Grey gives (e.g. sheet music, or simply making a donation). By itself, he has created a sequence of recorder literature that may stand by itself.
The ultimate technique is model new, and gives ranges differently than Recorder Karate. Rob DelGaudio, a beautiful music instructor in the USA (whose “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies” is an annual expertise with my Kinder and 1st Grade College students) has come out with a brand new Recorder technique known as Recorder Scouts that has movies, printed supplies, and extra, for $25 (see his web site, robdelgaudio.com), and college students earn badges alongside the best way. So in the event you NEED a degree/reward system and must keep away from “karate,” then contemplate Recorder Scouts.
I’m beginning to work with Recorder Monster’s supplies this 12 months, and have but to strive them with college students—I’ve a sense that college students will benefit from the monster/gross facets of that technique as effectively. I might be sprinkling these sources in with different sources. My solely criticism to date is similar as Be a Recorder Star—the net model of Recorder Monster doesn’t present the scholar the place they’re in the course of the track. On a constructive word, college students can play some songs that is perhaps “on the sting” in some colleges (e.g. Spirituals and Christmas Songs) because the lyrics and accompaniments have NOTHING to do with the unique songs.
The opposite strategies are effective—however I can attest that college students aren’t as within the audio accompaniments that include them—and that’s honest. Why shouldn’t recorder be enjoyable and attention-grabbing to play? I suppose there may be an argument that they received’t be taking part in to such “enjoyable” accompaniments in band or orchestra (notably as a newbie, as band and orchestra BECOME the accompaniment and full instrument over time)…however I feel even that has modified with software program like MakeMusic Cloud, Follow First, and even Sight Studying Manufacturing facility.
At any price, in the event you train recorder and are searching for some wonderful sources, at this level, I extremely advocate Be a Recorder Star, Music with Mr. Grey, and Recorder Scouts…and I feel Recorder Monster might be successful. If it’s okay with you, I want to NOT record the sources that aren’t fairly as fashionable.
If you already know of a recorder useful resource that you prefer to me to take a look at, or work for a recorder useful resource that you prefer to me to evaluation and/or present suggestions, please let me know (my contact data is on this web site). Please bear in mind that I’m a tech-minded educator, so I’m concerned about options that contain expertise, can be utilized with a big group at one time, and that curiosity college students via the content material, whether or not it’s topical or particular options corresponding to wonderful audio.
