My curriculum by instrument.
As a quick note:
While this includes a lot of thought and experience on my part regarding what comprises effective learning and teaching, it is very general in nature, and is no way set in stone and may vary from student to student. I believe in helping students to accomplish their goals, and refining and focusing their goals. So, I will ammend my curriculum as I see fit for each student. I like to try new things in teaching, and am constantly growing in this respect. So, I rely a lot of feedback from students, and will adapt depending on the student and the goals in question.
Piano
Normally I use Faber & Faber books for students. I combine the music and activities in the books with activities of my own, as well as composition projects.
If you would like to take piano lessons to play by ear, chords, etc. Then the curriculum is based on your ability level, and skill building. I approach this kind of lesson by attacking three specific areas; harmony, rhythm, and melody.
Harmony:
1. Intervals
2. Triads
3. Chord building
4. Five finger scales and tonal centers
5. Harmonic function
6. Harmonic rhythm
Rhythm:
1. Hierarchy of steady beat and note durations
2. Rhythm variation and patterns
3. Harmonic rhythm
Melody:
1. Notes on the piano
2. Pentascale patterns, positions, and tonal centers.
3. Melodies within pentascale positions (aural)
4. Melody with octave scale positions (aural)
5. Melodies with harmony
We will often be looking at each area independent from the other two before combing any of the three areas. This means we will be working on skills that will accomplish a specific goal, a particular piece for example, and will cultivate the harmony, rhythm, and melody for the piece before we put them together.
If you would like to take piano lessons to play by ear, chords, etc. Then the curriculum is based on your ability level, and skill building. I approach this kind of lesson by attacking three specific areas; harmony, rhythm, and melody.
Harmony:
1. Intervals
2. Triads
3. Chord building
4. Five finger scales and tonal centers
5. Harmonic function
6. Harmonic rhythm
Rhythm:
1. Hierarchy of steady beat and note durations
2. Rhythm variation and patterns
3. Harmonic rhythm
Melody:
1. Notes on the piano
2. Pentascale patterns, positions, and tonal centers.
3. Melodies within pentascale positions (aural)
4. Melody with octave scale positions (aural)
5. Melodies with harmony
We will often be looking at each area independent from the other two before combing any of the three areas. This means we will be working on skills that will accomplish a specific goal, a particular piece for example, and will cultivate the harmony, rhythm, and melody for the piece before we put them together.
Flute
For beginning flute I often use the "A New Tune A Day for Flute" series. Eventually working our way up to working on specific pieces to learn skills and technique. I also augment lessons with scales, warm up exercises, and other technique books depending on the student.
For students looking to learn to play the flute by ear, or for Rock, Jazz, etc. I will start with a lot of rote teaching, in order to learn fingerings, tone, etc. Once the basics have been accomplished I approach lesson by attacking these elements:
1. Scales, Licks, riffs
2. Basic theory, chords, arppegios
3. Melody (aural)
*as a note, melody is accomplished through working on specific pieces/songs. Normally I will record the melody for the student, and allow the student to learn aurally in this method.
For students looking to learn to play the flute by ear, or for Rock, Jazz, etc. I will start with a lot of rote teaching, in order to learn fingerings, tone, etc. Once the basics have been accomplished I approach lesson by attacking these elements:
1. Scales, Licks, riffs
2. Basic theory, chords, arppegios
3. Melody (aural)
*as a note, melody is accomplished through working on specific pieces/songs. Normally I will record the melody for the student, and allow the student to learn aurally in this method.
Wooden Flute
The wooden flute is used for less genres of music than the modern flute. Because of this, the style a student wishes to learn will have a huge impact on curriculum. Keep in mind that even I have listed a progression, this progression might not be completely linear. This is the order these elements will appear for the most part however.
Irish Traditional:
1. I'll start with rote learning notes, fingerings, and basic tone control.
2. Next is articulation. This can depend on the style, or school of thought (there are many.)
3. Next is melody, learning aurally through recordings I'll prepare.
4. Traditional Irish ornamentation and phrasing.
5. Tune building, applying techniques, and variation.
Celtic/Scottish/English:
1. Rote learning of notes, fingerings, and basic tone control
2. Music notation & articulation
3. Melody, both notated and aural
4. Ornamentation, phrasing
5. Tune building, technique
Irish Traditional:
1. I'll start with rote learning notes, fingerings, and basic tone control.
2. Next is articulation. This can depend on the style, or school of thought (there are many.)
3. Next is melody, learning aurally through recordings I'll prepare.
4. Traditional Irish ornamentation and phrasing.
5. Tune building, applying techniques, and variation.
Celtic/Scottish/English:
1. Rote learning of notes, fingerings, and basic tone control
2. Music notation & articulation
3. Melody, both notated and aural
4. Ornamentation, phrasing
5. Tune building, technique
Tin Whistle
The tin whistle is a wonderful instrument that is both fun and easy to aquire. Tin whistle is similar to the recorder in several respects, and is less challenging as a result.
Irish Traditional:
1. Rote learning of notes, fingerings, tone control
2. Articulation
3. Melody (aural)
4. Ornamentation, phrasing
5. Tune building, technique
Celtic/Scottish/English:
1. Rote learning of notes, fingerings, tone control
2. Articulation, notation
3. Melody, both aural and notated.
4. Ornamentation, phrasing
5. Tune building, technique
Irish Traditional:
1. Rote learning of notes, fingerings, tone control
2. Articulation
3. Melody (aural)
4. Ornamentation, phrasing
5. Tune building, technique
Celtic/Scottish/English:
1. Rote learning of notes, fingerings, tone control
2. Articulation, notation
3. Melody, both aural and notated.
4. Ornamentation, phrasing
5. Tune building, technique
Guitar
I approach beginning guitar similarly to beginning piano by ear. I attack three basic elements; harmony, rhythm, and melody. Generally, I use the Hal Leonard Guitar Method series as well.
Harmony:
1. Guitar basics and strings
2. Chord building
3. One, two, and three string chords.
4. Harmonic function and chord progressions.
5. Harmonic rhythm
Rhythm:
1. Note value hierarchy and strumming
2. Strumming, strumming patterns, up and down strum,
3. Harmonic rhythm
4. Picking patterns on 1, 2, and 3 strings.
5. Finger picking patterns on 4,5, and 6 strings.
Melody:
1. Tablature
2. Single string tab songs
3. Tab Melodies on 2 and 3 strings.
Harmony:
1. Guitar basics and strings
2. Chord building
3. One, two, and three string chords.
4. Harmonic function and chord progressions.
5. Harmonic rhythm
Rhythm:
1. Note value hierarchy and strumming
2. Strumming, strumming patterns, up and down strum,
3. Harmonic rhythm
4. Picking patterns on 1, 2, and 3 strings.
5. Finger picking patterns on 4,5, and 6 strings.
Melody:
1. Tablature
2. Single string tab songs
3. Tab Melodies on 2 and 3 strings.