Recreational Music Making

in EVERY Lesson

National Conference on Piano PedagogyOak Brook • 2007

Susan FlinnOwner & Instructor

The Music StudioStafford, Virginia

Serena Mackey

Owner • Program Director • TEACHER! • Curriculum Development

Education Consultant,

Recreational Music Making... as an Attitude of Instruction

Recreational Music Making Defined

Proficiency, Mastery, Discipline

Individual Lessons

Performance

Exclusive

Teacher

Wellness, Enjoyment, Communication, Support, Creative, Non-musical Outcomes

Group Lessons

Performance Alternatives

Inclusive

Coach

Formal Music Instruction RMM

Recreational Music Making...as a cultural response to the Millennial Generation

• Child based choices

• Satisfaction component

• Alternatives to performance

Traditional v. Recreational

Theory Workbook Homework Assignment

Use Alfred’s EMT or Music Ace during lesson/lab

Chord/Cadence exercises for I, IV, V, and inversions,

Identifying Major/minor chords

Play chords along with Piano/Vocal/Guitar Pop Songs (ex: sneak preview of Alison Kraus piece available on SheetMusicPlus.com)

Ear Training Requirement for National Guild

singing with Auralia interval drills

Constructing Scales, Composition, understanding time signature/rhythm

Music Ace Doodle Pad (teacher sets parameters)Rhythm Dictation (Auralia/Musition)

Sight reading Home Concert from Timewarp Technologies

Recreational Music Making...and implementation of technology

• Make authentic music• Digital Instruments

– Use of CDs– ensemble playing

• Computers– composition

• iPod Access• YouTube• MIDI Playback

Use of MIDI Playback

Recreational Music Making...and use of group

• No one recreates alone

• Stereotype: solitude to social

• Group as motivator

Recreational Music Making…and benefits to students

• Pride in taking music lessons

• Music appreciation

• Realistic Goals for a Musical Future– Adult Lessons– Musical choices for the next generation

Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generationby Neil Howe and William Strauss

• Only 3 in 10 hang out with 1 or 2 close friends

• 66% prefer larger groups of friends• 8th and 10th graders would rather be

active with friends than creative alone

Recreational Music Making...as a marketing tool• Match need to

Market• The Cool Factor• The Sandwich

Board Student• Replace the

Recital• Peer Support and

Low turnover

Music is an artistry of time.

Being able to give a superb performance in real time requires extreme discipline and practice....only a handful of musicians are able to attain both the technique and the musical sensitivity needed at this level.

--Ikutaro Kakehashi, I Believe In Music