How to Teach Students to Play Orff Barred Instruments in Your Music Classroom

Summary

In this engaging instructional video, the speaker shares innovative methods for teaching students to play Bard instruments. By using clear, relatable visual cues and hands-on practice, the educator fosters an inclusive learning environment. The process emphasizes the importance of technique, encouraging students to focus on wrist movements rather than arm swings. Incorporating creative elements, such as using poems for musical improvisation, enhances student engagement and expression. The speaker also promotes collaboration, allowing students to perform individually and as a group, while cultivating a sense of creativity and musicality. Overall, the approach combines fun and education, making music learning accessible and enjoyable.

Takeaways

• 😀 The instructor uses a backward instrument orientation to simplify directional cues for students.
• 🎵 Students engage in echoing exercises to reinforce basic musical patterns, promoting active participation.
• 🔤 Emphasizing the names of notes during practice helps students connect visual and auditory elements of music.
• 👐 The instructor allows students to choose their hands when playing, fostering independence and comfort.
• ⚾ The analogy of basketball dribbling is used to teach proper wrist movement and control in playing techniques.
• 📝 Creative engagement is encouraged through familiar poems, allowing students to explore music in a fun context.
• 🎶 The instructor incorporates improvisation and composition into lessons, allowing students to express creativity.
• 👥 Group dynamics are emphasized through structured performance arrangements, promoting teamwork and collaboration.
• 🌟 Peer feedback is used to reinforce playing standards and encourage positive behavior in the classroom.
• 🎤 Solo performances are encouraged, providing opportunities for individual expression and building confidence.

Q & A

What teaching method does the instructor use to orient students to the instrument?

The instructor turns their instrument around to match the direction of the students' instruments, facilitating easier communication by using terms like 'point to the ceiling' instead of left and right.

How does the instructor emphasize the importance of octave C's in their teaching?

The instructor consistently uses the low, middle, and high ends of the instrument while focusing on octave C's, explaining that understanding these octaves is crucial for the students.

What approach does the instructor take to correct students' playing techniques?

The instructor compares proper playing technique to basketball dribbling, encouraging students to use wrist action instead of raising their arms too high, and suggests practicing bouncing the mallets for better sound.

How does the instructor incorporate poems into the lesson?

The instructor uses poems, like 'Fuzzy Wuzzy,' to engage students in rhythm exercises and melodic improvisation, allowing them to create music without requiring formal sheet music.

What is the significance of practice time in the instructor's teaching strategy?

Practice time is essential for students to develop their skills independently, allowing them to experiment with notes and playing techniques before performing as a group.

How does the instructor manage student behavior and focus during lessons?

The instructor reinforces an 'Essential Agreement' of playing beautifully, using positive reinforcement and peer reminders to encourage proper behavior and attention during practice.

What strategies does the instructor use to facilitate solo performances?

The instructor allows each student to take a solo during the performance, using a serpentine method to ensure everyone has a turn, and encourages even simple one-note performances to build confidence.

What is the role of the instructor when students perform?

The instructor acts as a backup band during student performances, guiding them through the rhythm and transitions, and providing support to enhance the overall sound.

How does the instructor encourage creativity among students?

By allowing students to improvise and compose their own pieces using familiar poems, the instructor fosters an environment of creativity, encouraging exploration beyond structured lessons.

What overall message does the instructor convey about music education?

The instructor emphasizes that music education should be engaging and creative, focusing on exploration, collaboration, and the joy of making music together without being constrained by formalities.