I love the peanut tip, I will have to try it myself, I wonder if it works with M&Ms?
Tips I have learned in teaching the whistle and other instruments.
1st off establish a no whistle playing when you are talking rule. Come up with a signal that means no playing and use it. I start with a new group by telling them not to play until I say. Then I teach them to blow whole notes on an “A” or “B” note. I count to four then I signal them to stop. This is not only useful in teaching them to count, the value of a whole note, and how to hold that individual note but most importantly how to listen and when to play. If people insist on playing when it is quiet time, repeat your expectations of silence but not to the individual, instead tell the class with humour as if they are all stepping out of line. That way you avoid signaling people out but get your message across.
2nd tip, give them time to work out a problem. For instance, if you have taught them a concept and they understand it but can not physically do it because their hands all of a sudden don’t listen to them, then give the group a few minutes of “free play time” Use this sparingly as you need to remain sane!
When introducing complicated or new rhythms, have the class clap them. It is easier on the ear and teaches them problem solving techniques.
Remember everyone learns differently and at different speeds. This means that you will feel like you are going too slow for some people and too fast for others. Some people who are behind need to be allowed to be behind. As long as you are aware of their progress and offer them tips to improve their own performance, it doesn’t matter how fast they improve.
You will loose students. This doesn’t mean you are doing a bad job, some people just find that they are not progressing as they would like, or can’t get into the instrument. This is not your fault!
For me, I find that 8-10 students for 1 hour is perfect. I don’t envy you having them for 3 hours as I find that people begin to overload after 1 and just want to go home and try out the new concepts! Perhaps having them team up into pairs and putting them in different areas after and hour and going from team to team might give them some down time, companionship and a little one on one!
Hope some of that helps and good luck!
Sandy
) Do you have any recommendations on how to split the groups up? (They’re grouped from last year’s teacher - I have no idea how). Age? Ability? Manageability?
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