theory practice books?

roygbivlaw · Post by **roygbivlaw** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 9:09 pm

i teach an 11-year old girl (my first student)
and i was wondering if anybody knew of any good music theory books with which i
could have her practice counting, reading notes correctly, and learning key
signatures? i am having her use the Rubank Beginner Method at the moment for
practice, but i am afraid that it is not always enough. she does not always read
either the music or the key signature but plays what she thinks it should sound
like. i remember that when i began piano (my first instrument) my teacher gave
me leila fletcher theory workbooks on which to practice things like key
signatures and time signatures. (it had exercises for you to write in notes,
counting, etc., as well as instruction) is there an equivalent for flute?
thanks. i really need to get her to understand things like half-step/whole-step,
circle of fourths/fifths because she wants to try out for regional band next
year and in order to do so she needs to learn all of her scales and do
sightreading. but to learn the scales, and especially to do sightreading, she
needs to understand the theory behind key signatures, rhythm, etc.

AG950Flute · Post by **AG950Flute** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 9:15 pm

piano theory books tend to work really well for
any instrument. i personally really like the basic keyboard theory books b julie
mcintosh johnson. there's 10 levels and a separate answer guide. really clear
and concise. good luck!

roygbivlaw · Post by **roygbivlaw** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 9:34 pm

thanks! i will def. look into the series that
you suggested. in the meantime (while i'm trying to get copies of that series)
i might start her off with an empty fletcher book that i have from years and
years ago.

MattMom · Post by **MattMom** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 9:44 pm

It's funny - I never thought of it like this,
but it certainly seems like piano books do more with teaching music theory than
any of the other instrument specific band books. I know my younger daughter's
violin teacher supplements the Suzuki method (which isn't strong on theory, but
very strong on ear) with flash cards, and lots of questions on key signature,
etc. Not only did she make up flash cards, but she also did matching game cards
for her younger students. Have you tried giving her 4-6 measures of music (the
call) and having her right the response? I remember doing that on a chalkboard
with my piano teacher when I was about eight! It uses creativity, but also
forces you to stay within the structure given. I'm sure there are books that
provide those exercises, but you can probably come up with some yourself. It
really depends upon the child. My older child still struggles with all aspects
of music theory - yet takes several AP courses in High School with an average
way above 4.0. My younger daughter sightreads music better than she reads the
English language - it just makes sense to her. Brain wiring is very unique, and
it takes a caring teacher to figure it out. Kudos on being concerned, caring and
inquisitive. I wish I could give you more titles, but you might be able to come
up with something pertinent on you own.

flutietootie4lyfe · Post by **flutietootie4lyfe** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 5:35 pm

rubank intermediate is great

angel_of_music · Post by **angel_of_music** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 6:27 pm

i use the Rubank advanced method, its great one
of the girls in my section uses Trevor Wye, ive looked at it, it looks good. i
dunno how it would be for a beginner though...i dont really remember what all
was in it Raymond Fussel is awesome. it has scales (M/m/Chromatic), arpeggios,
intervals, chords, rhythem exercises, everything

dancingflutist3000 · Post by **dancingflutist3000** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 4:02 pm

[quote] ---------------- On 12/20/2003 9:09:03
PM i teach an 11-year old girl (my first student) and i was wondering if anybody
knew of any good music theory books with which i could have her practice
counting, reading notes correctly, and learning key signatures? i am having her
use the Rubank Beginner Method at the moment for practice, but i am afraid that
it is not always enough. she does not always read either the music or the key
signature but plays what she thinks it should sound like. i remember that when i
began piano (my first instrument) my teacher gave me leila fletcher theory
workbooks on which to practice things like key signatures and time signatures.
(it had exercises for you to write in notes, counting, etc., as well as
instruction) is there an equivalent for flute? thanks. i really need to get her
to understand things like half-step/whole-step, circle of fourths/fifths because
she wants to try out for regional band next year and in order to do so she needs
to learn all of her scales and do sightreading. but to learn the scales, and
especially to do sightreading, she needs to understand the theory behind key
signatures, rhythm, etc. ---------------- [/quote] I know the PERFECT book! AT
school we are required to have it and we use everyday. It's called Winning
Rhythms. It's just a book full of different rhythms. There's no clef so you
choose the note. Though I admit doing rhythms in the book can get boring
(challenging but boring) I have to admit I wouldn't be as good a flutist as I
am now without it.

flutietootie4lyfe · Post by **flutietootie4lyfe** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 4:40 pm

I use rubank advanced volume one right now

BandGeek16 · Post by **BandGeek16** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 8:40 pm

When I was in beginning band, we used the
Standard of Excellence theory books. They were really great for counting and
rhythms, and even had music history sections.