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Recreational Music Making in EVERY Lesson
National Conference on Piano Pedagogy Oak Brook • 2007
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Susan Flinn Owner & Instructor
The Music Studio Stafford, Virginia
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Owner • Program Director • TEACHER! • Curriculum Development
Serena Mackey Owner • Program Director • TEACHER! • Curriculum Development Education Consultant,
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Recreational Music Making... as an Attitude of Instruction
For many of us, the majority of our students are not seeking competitive performance opportunities or looking forward to a professional music career. Most students are seeking music purely for enjoyment, as a hobby, or as an opportunity to socialize. They seek a fun, relaxed approach as well as a creative, engaging teacher who can offer a variety of repertoire and musical medial to keep them stimulated.
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Recreational Music Making Defined
Formal Music Instruction RMM Proficiency, Mastery, Discipline Individual Lessons Performance Exclusive Teacher Wellness, Enjoyment, Communication, Support, Creative, Non-musical Outcomes Group Lessons Performance Alternatives Inclusive Coach
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Recreational Music Making
Recreational Music Making ...as a cultural response to the Millennial Generation Child based choices Satisfaction component Alternatives to performance
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Traditional v. Recreational
Theory Workbook Homework Assignment Use Alfred’s EMT or Music Ace during lesson/lab Chord/Cadence exercises for I, IV, V, and inversions, Identifying Major/minor chords Play chords along with Piano/Vocal/Guitar Pop Songs (ex: sneak preview of Alison Kraus piece available on SheetMusicPlus.com) Ear Training Requirement for National Guild singing with Auralia interval drills Constructing Scales, Composition, understanding time signature/rhythm Music Ace Doodle Pad (teacher sets parameters)Rhythm Dictation (Auralia/Musition) Sight reading Home Concert from Timewarp Technologies Although students can always use these software programs in a traditional sense, a slightly different spin on each can effectively relate what they need to learn in a practical, recreational way.
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Recreational Music Making ...and implementation of technology
Make authentic music Digital Instruments Use of CDs ensemble playing Computers composition iPod Access YouTube MIDI Playback Recreational music students need to progress as well as have fun we are doing our students a disservice by allowing them to pass on theory, ear training and sight reading skills (these are the elements that will allow them to eventually be independent musicians) Technology to help introduce recreational students to new musical experiences they would not otherwise have – let them go beyond method books pieces, theory workbooks and recitals to experience what your advanced students might experience: ensemble playing (using digital instruments, midi playback along with music written for multiple pianos or orchestra) composition (using Music Ace doodle pad, finale, or even by hand after working with Musition/Auralia programs) accompanying (playing along with CDs, or creating chord progressions for Ipod tunes) experimenting with other instruments (using digital piano set to different instruments, score reading) Such opportunities are typically reserved for the advanced students in their final years of study after they have developed their skills, yet exposing beginning and intermediate students to more advanced recreational music opportunities (assisted by technology) is going to have tremendous influence on their current studies and development as recreational musicians (use example from personal observation of swim team) Use video examples of students making RM: Student composed CD with multiple tracks, incorporating scales, chords, repetitive patterns Recital clip of student playing with midi accompaniment (created by the student) Demonstration of use of Music Ace Doodle Pad during lessons (individual and group composition)
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Use of MIDI Playback
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Recreational Music Making ...and use of group
No one recreates alone Stereotype: solitude to social Group as motivator Video clip of adult quartet at recital (as an example of a recreational group) Partner Lessons
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Recreational Music Making …and benefits to students
Pride in taking music lessons Music appreciation Realistic Goals for a Musical Future Adult Lessons Musical choices for the next generation
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Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation by Neil Howe and William Strauss
Only 3 in 10 hang out with 1 or 2 close friends 66% prefer larger groups of friends 8th and 10th graders would rather be active with friends than creative alone
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Recreational Music Making ...as a marketing tool
Match need to Market The Cool Factor The Sandwich Board Student Replace the Recital Peer Support and Low turnover We are less in competition with our fellow music teachers and retail stores than with the many activities of the over-scheduled child….sports, dance, martial arts, school activities. To get ourselves included on their lists, we need to consider the social aspect.
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Music is an artistry of time.
Being able to give a superb performance in real time requires extreme discipline and practice....only a handful of musicians are able to attain both the technique and the musical sensitivity needed at this level. --Ikutaro Kakehashi, I Believe In Music
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