Playing a musical instrument is a skill that is often looked at as being reserved for only a select few. From my experience of teaching years of elementary music I have found that the number of students who can be successful with an instrument is far greater than most people believe. In fact, I have yet to find a student who couldnt make an instrument sound good.
My results may be biased, however, for two reasons. First of all, I teach elementary aged students who dont have the hang-ups or mental obstacles that many adults have. They give music an honest try and believe they have the potential to be able to play well. Secondly, I am passionate about what I do. I truly believe that anyone who wants to learn music can, if they are taught the right way.
Learning a song can be broken down into three easy steps: listen, read and play. If these steps are down properly and patiently, the songs will flow.
Listening to music is an important step that is often skipped over. To play a song properly a student needs to be familiar with the notes. The song should be listened to a minimum of 4 times. I often play a song that we will be learning in other classes. While students are quietly working on math problems or reading, Ill play the song in the background. It is important that they listen to the song played as perfectly as possible which means a digital or professional track of the song is much better that listening to someone who is only still learning to play the song. If listened to enough, the song will become familiar and easily recognized.
The second step is to read the music. At first a student will have to look up notes on a note guide, but with practice this will become automatic. Finding the notes can be easy if note guides are clear and easy to use. Any music shop will offer a variety of choices.
The third step is the most obvious one; playing the instrument. When an instrument is played, it should be played along with an accompanying CD or experienced player. This will help the student play in tune and in rhythm. Repeated playing along with a model version of the song will encourage a high level of skill.
These steps will take a student down the path to being a skilled musician. As many parents already know, the gift of music will last a lifetime.
Darren Michalczuk is the founder of the Brick School. He is an experienced classroom teacher who has developed many programs and resources for math, language and music. The Brick School offers quality educational posters, programs and worksheets online for elementary language arts, math and music. Materials are designed to promote effective learning strategies in an easy to understand, straight-forward format. They offer both practical solutions to learning problems and leading edge technology and techniques. It reaches both struggling students and those who need extra challenges in class.With the latest software and leading edge learning strategies, our materials are paving the way for learning. User-friendly programs give students instant feedback while they practice important basic skills. Lessons and study guides also include proven learning strategies and memories techniques. Please visit our website. http://brickschool.ca
Knowledge Brings Freedom
Searching for freedom has always been part of my life.When I was 12, I wanted to learn how to play the trumpet.As our school was offering music classes, I promptly enrolled for 'The Band', not knowing how much I would enjoy the process.When Mr. Nicolau - a conductor with that glimmer in his eyes - came on the scene, we knew at once that learning fr...
Homeschool Lesson Plans Made Easy: The Secrets of Learning: The Levels of Learning
Students often struggle in class because the teacher teaches to only part of the class, often the average students. This means that the higher ability students never get challenged and the lower ability students get lost. The lesson is given to those right in the middle and is often designed to be general enough that everyone can understand. In ...
Dreamer vs. Achiever
It has been said time and time again that visualization is a powerful tool that can help you achieve anything you want in life. How come we cannot seem to be able to achieve things easily? I have found out the answers in the Science of Getting Seminar. This is the difference between a dreamer and an achiever.In case you are wondering what visualiza...
Homeschooling - How To Maintain Discipline?
Homeschooling provides both yourself and your child with immense levels of freedom, and there will be temptation to stretch this freedom. Certain rules and practices need to be implemented at the beginning stages. If your child is too young to take an active part in the decision, set aside a few hours of the day for the various activities, and stic...
Homeschool Math Lessons: The Secrets of Learning: Give Them the Answers
Give Them the AnswersTo help struggling students succeed, we need to give them the answers. This goes against our desire as teachers to keep the answer key hidden from them as if it were a sacred chalice or holy grail that we must protect. The truth is that students do better when they have access to the answers. Remember that most of our time s...
Homeschool Lessons Made Easy - The Importance of Learning for the First Time
There is a First Time for EverythingThe first time a student learns a skill is the most important. This is the time when the path for learning is established. There are many examples of this. When we accidentally call someone by the wrong name, our mind will always go back to the time we thought a persons name was Dale when it is actually Dave. ...
6 Steps You Can Feel Sexy Even If Being Overweight
Do you feel down for not feeling sexy or friends/family telling you, "You look disgusting, lose weight!"?Cheer up! First, do not let others affect your self-esteem because you are special. Hey, life is too short, forget about negative friends who put you down calling you an overweight woman or an overweight man.Start spending more time with support...
