Simplicity Is A Beautiful Thing!
Posted by: fuzzylogic85 on: November 12, 2008
“My Doggy Likes to Disco” is a piece that I recently arranged for the elementary music classroom which is orchestrated for both voice and the integration of Orff instruments. It was this piece that I was to teach to my peers during a wonderful session of Vocal Methods. The final product was, to say the least, a bit disconcerting. I wholeheartedly blame it on my planning. It was truly a fantastic learning experience however! After being involved in observational settings, courses that are beneficial in teaching me learning/teaching strategies needed to be successful, and having the wonderfully unique experience of not only getting in front of my own peers to teach, but teaching preschoolers and elementary level students as well, I have truly learned to appreciate the importance, difficulty, and necessity of effective lesson planning and preparation. It seems that while I pushed aside the one aspect I knew I could teach (the singing) and focused on the aspects which I felt “shaky” on (the instrumental parts) I was only dooming myself. “Teachers do not practice their songs enough,” my professor informed me, “they drill what they feel uncertain about, ignoring what they believe to be their “expertise,” making the lesson seem awkward and uncomfortable.” So, the moral of this story, practice, practice, practice! ALL aspects, not just those that come naturally! This is a good motto for students to have as well. Students should have an outlet to do this freely, and be given the opportunities to hear themselves, as individuals and as a part of a larger ensemble, and critique themselves. A fantastic device that I have heard a lot of hype about, which can help a student to do just that, is the H2 Handy Recorder. “The H2 begins with a simple idea: provide brilliant stereo recording in an easy-to-use, ultra-portable device. Now everyone can record pristine audio in an infinite variety of applications. From seminars and conferences, to electronic news gathering (ENG), interviews and podcasting, to musical performances, songwriting sessions and rehearsals, the H2 provides amazing recording quality. And no matter what kind of recording you want to make, the H2 can effortlessly record it.” This company also makes the Effects Processor, Rhythm Machine, and much more. I believe these products to be on the “Must Have” list of every teacher and student out there!! Check it out…you just might be adding it to your Chirstmas lists! http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h2/index.php”>http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h2/index.php
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