Newbie here! A few questions...

[mjlamarche]

Hi all!
So glad I found this place. I would like to give some background info on me before asking what I'm wondering about.

I am 31. Currently stay-at-home-mom of four children, ages 8 mo, 2, 5, and 7. So that's how busy I am right now. The extent of my flute playing at the moment is playing for my kids at home some silly songs and sometimes church hymn songs on Sundays and special music events.

In my growing up years, I started playing flute when I was 8, and continued on through high school and college. The high school I came from was well known for its strong musical history and winning band competitions. In band, we marched, competed in concerts, and individuals tried out for State. I was one of them who tried out and was recalled a few times, but never made it to the state level. I was usually first chair in my flute group after regular assessments. I also took private flute lessons for 3 years in high school from a GREAT teacher. I graduated college in 2003 so its been a good 10 years since I was really wrapped up in the world of flute playing, but now when I pick up my flute and play, the excitement comes rushing back. I genuinely ENJOY playing and I am a fairly good player. Not pro by ANY means. But I know my notes (alsp played piano for 15 years growing up) and am pretty good at regular music stuff. Other than a lazy right pinky, I don't have any major playing kinks.

I have recently been asked by some friends to help teach their 6th grader flute. She has been playing for 6 months and they're interested in me helping her, they said they'd pay me regular private lesson wages. Of course I said yes, and really want to...but now that I've been really thinking about it, the idea of TEACHING someone everything about flute is overwhelming to me. Starting to research HOW TO TEACH encompasses so much more than I thought, and I realize that I DO NOT know everything I need to learn. Techniques to teach good embouchure, vibrato, fingerings, scales, etc. I guess what I'm saying is I know how to play, but not so much HOW TO TEACH flute. I could easily sit down with this girl, see where she's at, and help her how I know how, but I don't really want to just "wing it"...I want her to do better and learn more so she plays better and gains confidence in her playing ability.

In the month of March, I've been asked to do a special flute piece for church. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just something special which is out of the ordinary praise worship band stuff. Flute can bring a very serene and reflective sound to church worship. I want to play a couple songs myself along with this who I want to teach. She can play simple things and she has an interest in playing with me.

So. What I'm asking is....

1. Do you know of any easy to play church hymn type stuff (maybe celtic style?) we could play together for this church thing? Needs to take up 5-10 minutes. We can include piano.

2. How do I learn HOW TO TEACH flute???

thanks for reading and helping if you can!!

Maria

[evrmre]

I'm not sure if this helps, but for a church type piece, I'd suggest a graduated arrangement, where you start very simple, and slowly add bits to the tune as you go, using volume and dynamics to add complexity. I'm only an average player, so I use this trick quite a bit. It allows for both experts and beginners to contribute as they can, and rests more on the expression of the player than the complexity of the playing. A personal favorite of mine was "be thou my vision", as the capacity of the hymn is vaste, while being quite simple to play.

I'll leave commenting on the teaching thing to the pros on the forum, as they can probably offer better advice...

[pied_piper]

You might try here for some music. http://www.flutetunes.com/ There are lots of duets available there in varying difficulty. You should be able to find something suitable.

Your question about teaching is more difficult to answer, because, as you pointed out, there are so many aspects to teaching, it's not something that you can learn in a day or two. The first question that I'd ask you is when is last time that YOU have had a private lesson? Teachers learn by both studying and observing. If you have not had a private lesson recently, perhaps that would be a good place to start. Take the lesson from the perspective of watching and learning how the teacher approaches a lesson from start to finish. Ask for pointers on how to teach a beginning to intermediate student. Many teachers continue to study privately all their life. I completed my Music Ed degree in 1973 and I still take occasional private lessons - I had one two weeks ago...

There is a big difference between being a good player and being a good teacher. You know how to play, but can you observe another person playing and determine if that person has a proper embouchure, good breath control and support, good hand positions, etc.? Can you explain those to someone else? Those and many other things are all important aspects of teaching flute.

While not all flute teachers have music degrees, many do, either in Music Education or Music Performance. If you think you want to take on the responsibility of teaching, you might consider taking a least some classes in those subject areas. Anyone who teaches anything, owes their students the best and it's more than simply reading some websites. It takes a lot of experience, dedication, and preparation.

Please do not take any of this as trying to discourage you. Quite the opposite. The fact that you came here and asked for advice shows that you care and want to learn how to do a good job as a teacher. That's an excellent first step. The next step is to begin the preparation for the task.

Good luck!

[flutego12]

Hi all!
So glad I found this place. Ditto! I would like to give some background info on me before asking what I'm wondering about.

I am 31. Currently stay-at-home-mom of four children, ages 8 mo, 2, 5, and 7. So that's how busy I am right now. The extent of my flute playing at the moment is playing for my kids at home some silly songs and sometimes church hymn songs on Sundays and special music events.

In my growing up years, I started playing flute when I was 8, and continued on through high school and college. The high school I came from was well known for its strong musical history and winning band competitions. In band, we marched, competed in concerts, and individuals tried out for State. I was one of them who tried out and was recalled a few times, but never made it to the state level. I was usually first chair in my flute group after regular assessments. I also took private flute lessons for 3 years in high school from a GREAT teacher. I graduated college in 2003 so its been a good 10 years since I was really wrapped up in the world of flute playing, but now when I pick up my flute and play, the excitement comes rushing back. I genuinely ENJOY playing and I am a fairly good player. Not pro by ANY means. But I know my notes (alsp played piano for 15 years growing up) and am pretty good at regular music stuff. Other than a lazy right pinky, I don't have any major playing kinks.

I have recently been asked by some friends to help teach their 6th grader flute. She has been playing for 6 months and they're interested in me helping her, they said they'd pay me regular private lesson wages. Of course I said yes, and really want to...but now that I've been really thinking about it, the idea of TEACHING someone everything about flute is overwhelming to me. Starting to research HOW TO TEACH encompasses so much more than I thought, and I realize that I DO NOT know everything I need to learn. Techniques to teach good embouchure, vibrato, fingerings, scales, etc. I guess what I'm saying is I know how to play, but not so much HOW TO TEACH flute. I could easily sit down with this girl, see where she's at, and help her how I know how, but I don't really want to just "wing it"...I want her to do better and learn more so she plays better and gains confidence in her playing ability.

In the month of March, I've been asked to do a special flute piece for church. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just something special which is out of the ordinary praise worship band stuff. Flute can bring a very serene and reflective sound to church worship. I want to play a couple songs myself along with this who I want to teach. She can play simple things and she has an interest in playing with me.

So. What I'm asking is....

1. Do you know of any easy to play church hymn type stuff (maybe celtic style?) we could play together for this church thing? Needs to take up 5-10 minutes. We can include piano.
This is a little older but what about something from Robin Mark's "Revival in Belfast" album eg 1) "WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE" OR "BE UNTO YOUR NAME" (violin interchangeable with the flute - do a Bouriakov , 2) "HOW GREAT ARE YOU LORD" OR 2) "WITH ALL FAITH" OR 3) "REVIVAL" (flute parts beautiful, improvise! ) or how about replacing the bagpipes in Garments of Praise with the flute Pick one,... that's my order of pref - don't know many celtic songs, the ones I know are not P&W I am sure it will be beautiful. My pick? No 1 TIED. Best Regards

2. How do I learn HOW TO TEACH flute???

thanks for reading and helping if you can!!

Maria

[mjlamarche]

Thank you all for the suggestions and input.

[auslagger]

Hi,
my favourite churchy reflective is bach

I sometimes use him at my church for fillers when people are setting up the altar, or going for communion.
jesu of mans desiring but as a beginner i fail : (im a pianist - trying to learn flute)
and also.. prelude in C is a good one too (also ave maria)
if you can find.. the music from that film "the mission" that can be quite good and reflective also