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DEDSound New Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2020 Posts: 1 Location: North Dakota
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 9:16 am Post subject: Teaching a Young Student |
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Hi,
I'm a Trumpet Student who teaches lessons at the local music store in my college town. Recently a 5 year old signed up for lessons with me. I let the parents know that it's really young for starting and they might want to consider waiting until he's physically larger (so he can hold the instrument at least) and has a larger attention span, but they really want to make this happen.
He had his first lesson with me last week, and I'm very surprised at how well he's doing. He's a natural on mouthpiece buzzing and responds really well to instructions.
My issue is I don't know what to do with a student this young. He can read a little bit (knows his ABCs), and I'm planning on teaching him basic musical notation in the coming weeks. He can hold the trumpet mostly fine, and apparently is growing like a weed so that won't be an issue for long. At the moment I'm planning on teaching him to play some basic children's songs. I was wondering if anybody had any experience with students this young and could give me tips or advice on what techniques would be useful for a student this young.
Thanks!
Dawson _________________ Hang in there and keep playin'. |
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tyler.slamkowski Veteran Member
Joined: 03 Jun 2017 Posts: 103 Location: Muskegon, MI
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:27 am Post subject: |
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The masters of teaching really young children instrument are Suzuki teachers. It’s an approach that is typically taken by string players, but there is a trumpet method that’s forthcoming. The basic idea is you do a lot of songs by rote. Lots of word rhythms. Focus on the feeling of how to play the instrument. I started a student in third grade, and we are just getting to notation now that he is in fifth grade. But he can play quite a variety of songs with very good technique and has a nice range.
An example beginning project would be to teach him how to play C, D, and E. Then, learn Hot Cross Buns. Again, all by rote. At the same time, teach him the following three word rhythms: “pepperoni pizza” (4 eighths, two quarters), “yum yum peanut butter” (two quarters, four eighths), and “Tom took a turkey toe” (quarter, 4 eighths, quarter). Eventually, you can sub in the word rhythms in the place of the original rhythm of hot cross buns. And you can do this with any other song. This gives the student lots of repetition while still having some variety.
A really traditional mile stone for a Suzuki violin player is playing twinkle twinkle little star with the original rhythm and all three of these word rhythms (which my teacher called the “Lunch Bunch Rhythms”). Always keep a pulse, and remember that kids like to have fun! |
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deleted_user_687c31b New Member
Joined: 03 Apr 1996 Posts: 0
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:26 pm Post subject: |
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tyler.slamkowski wrote: | and remember that kids like to have fun! |
Can't emphasize this enough. Above all, ensure that your student enjoys what they're doing. The most important thing you can do at a young age is inspire. If they have fun and enjoy what they're doing, they're far more likely to keep playing (and practice at home). Try to avoid making it a chore or 'homework'...there's plenty of time for that later. If you can inspire your student so that they're looking forward to next week's lesson then you've already done a great job.
Good luck to both of you! |
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Jeff_Purtle Heavyweight Member
Joined: 14 Mar 2003 Posts: 936 Location: Greenville, South Carolina
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