Instrumentation and Classroom Management

Jim Matthewswww.effectivemusicteaching.comFMEA Conference/Phi Beta Mu Jan. 16 2015

Achieving Proper Instrumentation

Always start twice as many instruments as you want (need) in your top group for the following year in beginning band.

Always start from the bottom up. You MUST have a solid foundation in order to achieve the sound pyramid.

Test brass first starting with tuba moving up to French horn, then woodwinds starting with flute then clarinet, double reeds, then Saxophone and finally percussion. Give some type of physical aptitude test – DON’T LEAVE YOUR INSTRUMENTATION UP TO THEM! Kids need your professional guidance. They need to try them.

Instrumentation (cont.)

Invite colleagues, or professionals to help with testing if possible.

I explain to parents and students that I don’t tell them what they should play, but rather what they show the most aptitude for.

What do you have to offer them as far as instruments from the school? This will also help your instrumentation.

Tools for Instrumentation

Consider making a C.D. or brief recordings of professionals on each instrument as a model – play the recording while you show the instruments and then test that instrument.

Have all equipment: test instruments, mouthpieces, reeds (consider using plastic reeds just for testing so they are more sanitary), sticks, Sterisol, test sheets – scores for each instrument, pencils etc.

Create an easy score sheet – name, list each instrument being tested and have an area for tone, reached all pitches, fit for , score between 1-10, etc. There is no way they will accurately remember each instrument without some record.

Personnel for Testing

Invite your local music stores to participate. Don’t just choose one, if there are multiple stores. This will create animosity and it is not ethical to be biased to one store, or another.

Invite your feeder directors to be involved in it. Additionally, invite high school students as helpers.

Notify all feeder elementary schools and put out reminder announcements to all schools leading up to the event.

Sell your program

Sell the importance of music, testing for aptitude, balanced instrumentation – no one will enjoy hearing a poorly instrumented band. Sell the joy of being on the proper instrument.

When a student is on the proper instrument, they are not fighting to make a good sound. They are already one step ahead and will excel faster, as they are working along with their aptitude.

Classroom Management

You are simply managing a system of structure. What is your system?

Always plan more than can be accomplished in one class period.

Teach with conviction for topic, or task. Don’t allow down time – they will fill it in

with their own agenda. ALWAYS use RESPECT as the foundation for

all classroom management and discipline. Respect has many forms: people, music, and

equipment.

Poor Behavior

Poor Behavior is outward display of inward problems. Needs Attention Disrespect – towards you or another individual. Poor or Non-existent Social Skills (not learned

at home) Negative Influences – friends, relatives,

circumstances Chemical imbalance – A.D.D./A.D.H.D. – etc.

This could be real, but still not an excuse to be out of control, just needs coping techniques.

Find Root of Problem

There are many school based helps – use resources. Research Office Folders Confer with other teachers Parent Contact – don’t be afraid. “Mr./Mrs…. I want to

know if you can help me.” “I want to help ____ to be successful in my class.” “How is he/she doing in other classes?” “Is he acting this way at home, or is it just in my class?” How do you work with him/her at home when they are like this?”

My purpose here at school is to help him/her to be successful.

“This class is a team, and I must have all members of the team cooperating in order for us to be successful.” (Stick with the big picture.) DON’T MAKE IT PERSONAL.

Helpful Hints

Seek them out – walk with them to class, pull them aside before class, see them briefly after class, be real with them, let them know you are a human (not perfect) just like they are and you are there for them. Life is a journey.

Find out their story. Offer any help you can give them. Listen to them, go to their games, events, etc.

Teach Respect

They have a choice why they should respect you: Because of your role as a teacher. Because of your being: your standing in the school

and community, what you do for people etc. Because you are a human being on this earth and

deserve respect.Whatever reason they choose to respect is up to them, but disrespect if NOT AN OPTION. Focus on ALL OF THE GOOD THINGS for a positive

atmosphere! Point them out. Go to potential problems first at the beginning of the year. Don’t wait.

Respect Begins starts with YOU

You must teach what RESPECT looks like in YOUR room.

You must teach what SOCIAL SKILLS are expected in YOUR room.

I display all forms of respect toward my students – it starts with me and my attitude towards them. I will not ask them to do something I am not doing first. Good leadership trait.

See my web page for many helps and suggestions. www.effectivemusicteaching.com

Available Resources

www.effectivemusicteaching.com Webpage with articles resources etc.

The Achievement System Published by Alfred Music Publishing, Inc. $12.95

Conducting Conduct by Doug Sorenson e-book embedded with editable forms, videos, and very valuable system for classroom management $9.99

New Book Principles of Musical Performance book by Jim Matthews - How to Apply Musical Principles like a Pro does with your ensembles $9.99 – Amazon E-Book – Get it now.