A couple of final points on why I see the power of teaching recorder to young kids:
Fine Motor Skills
Playing recorder supports the fine motor skills and finger/hand independence that are needed for playing piano (as well as using a fork and knife or typing on a computer keyboard).
Teaching Personal Responsibility
A recorder is often the first instrument a child owns. They have to learn the practical applications of responsibility: cleaning it, practicing it, putting it in their backpack the night before they need it in music class, and self-control (as in the proper environments they are allowed to play).
Self-esteem
Every kid likes to show off to their teacher, principal, or parent. Recorder provides this opportunity in a challenging music format.
Like Ringo Sang, “It Don’t Come Easy!”
Recorder is not a game app that can be mastered in an afternoon.
It is the patron saint of delayed gratification, a crucial concept that all children need to learn and have reinforced on a daily basis.
The flip side is achievement only comes with sustained effort and mastery of reading skill. All the sugar found in “Laughy Taffy” or a “Kit Kat” can’t hold a candle to the sweet taste of success after a kid plays a song for the first time.
Being Part of Something that Is Bigger Than Ourselves
The first few weeks of recorder amount to beginning a recorder ensemble. Kids learn that they have to work together to do hard things in tandem when making music.
The Best of Expectations
The anticipation that a teacher can build for the coming recorder program in the minds of kids can reach apoplectic heights.
There is nothing quite like waiting and counting down the daays until you get your recorder.
Bottom line: teach recorder!
Fine Motor Skills
Playing recorder supports the fine motor skills and finger/hand independence that are needed for playing piano (as well as using a fork and knife or typing on a computer keyboard).
Teaching Personal Responsibility
A recorder is often the first instrument a child owns. They have to learn the practical applications of responsibility: cleaning it, practicing it, putting it in their backpack the night before they need it in music class, and self-control (as in the proper environments they are allowed to play).
Self-esteem
Every kid likes to show off to their teacher, principal, or parent. Recorder provides this opportunity in a challenging music format.
Like Ringo Sang, “It Don’t Come Easy!”
Recorder is not a game app that can be mastered in an afternoon.
It is the patron saint of delayed gratification, a crucial concept that all children need to learn and have reinforced on a daily basis.
The flip side is achievement only comes with sustained effort and mastery of reading skill. All the sugar found in “Laughy Taffy” or a “Kit Kat” can’t hold a candle to the sweet taste of success after a kid plays a song for the first time.
Being Part of Something that Is Bigger Than Ourselves
The first few weeks of recorder amount to beginning a recorder ensemble. Kids learn that they have to work together to do hard things in tandem when making music.
The Best of Expectations
The anticipation that a teacher can build for the coming recorder program in the minds of kids can reach apoplectic heights.
There is nothing quite like waiting and counting down the daays until you get your recorder.
Bottom line: teach recorder!
RSS Feed