The second section of the book is called " Improving Skills ". A valuable take-away from this section was tip # 19. Instead of assigning a page of the lesson book, we play a game called " Can ' t Get It Wrong ". The students work on one or two exercises and practice it until they " can ' t get it wrong ". They use the other exercises on the page for sightreading work. The benefit of this method is that the students learn how to completely master a piece of music, including every detail and nuance from key signature to accidentals.
" Sustaining Progress " is the heading of Part Three. Tip # 47, To Learn Something More Deeply, Teach It, is a valuable reminder that even our young students can benefit from the opportunity to teach others. Challenging the students to teach their parents how to play " Hot Cross Buns " gives both the parent and the student a new point of view!
Daniel Coyle is a New York Times best-selling author. The Little Book of Talent is an offshoot of his larger work The Talent Code. Both books explore the common qualities successful athletes and musicians share and condenses the information into tips. For older students, this would be a fabulous reading requirement; for younger students, a guide the teacher can use or share with parents.
Cindy is a Music Specialist at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School in Brunswick. She can be reached at cbrown @ brunswick. k12. me. us.
2017 NAfME STUDENT COMPOSERS COMPOSITION COMPETITION
NAfME is seeking original music written by student composers for featured performance in the 2017 Young Composers Concert, held in Dallas, Texas, and the 2017 All-National Honor Orchestra performance as part of the NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles performances at Walt Disney World.
Teachers and students are invited to submit original compositions by students for possible inclusion in the concerts. Students in elementary school, secondary school, college, and graduate school are eligible to submit compositions. Winning compositions may be eligible for cash awards. Learn more: bit. ly / NAfMECompetitions Application Deadline: April 15, 2017