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