Teaching

Jen314 · Post by **Jen314** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:24 pm

Hi all. I wanted to solicite some advice from some of you. I have been played flute for 15 years. Actually, over the last 4 or so, I really haven't played as much as I would have liked.

I just recently moved back home to work, and save some money. My sister asked me if I would teach my niece. She is 9, had an overview class last spring, and really is in the extreme beginning. She has to take lessons to participate in the performing orchestra at her school.

I was thinking of getting her in the Rubank Elementary, but I was wondering if you had some advice. I don't want her to get bored, but I also want to make sure she gets a firm foundation.

(incedentally, any tips you can give me on how to get back into it myself. I know I'll have to practice myself to make sure that I can actually help her.)

Thanks so much! I look forward to getting to know you all.

Jen

embum79 · Post by **embum79** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:54 pm

I'm sort of in the same boat in that I was away from flute for awhile and then got back into it.

I'm not sure about the teaching thing (although I'd like to know more about that myself!), but as far as playing again, try to play each day if you can. And even take lessons if you can.

I took lessons for several months but then had to quit due to work and going back to school. But I do try to play as often as I can.

Good luck! Hope you enjoy playing again.

MonikaFL · Post by **MonikaFL** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 10:20 pm

I would consider starting her in the Trevor Wye "Beginner's Book for the Flute, Vol. 1" ~ it starts with B, A and G... all naturals. I think the way it progresses will prepare her for orchestra (who will tend to play in sharp keys at the beginning levels) more than the Rubank (which favors flat keys early on, good for beginners who will be in band).

There are a lot of pieces that have a duet part as well. So you guys can play together, switch parts on repeats... or they can stand alone as solos with piano accompaniment (which comes separately in a piano book, OR some of the method books can be purchased with the piano parts on CD so you can play along) I think that makes it more fun than Rubank!

Trevor Wye's method also really lends itself to helping students develop their tone from the start, introducing the tone studies modeled after Moyse as soon as possible. I have had great success with this method with my elementary school-aged students.

Hope this helps!

Jen314 · Post by **Jen314** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:50 am

thanks so much. I had forgotten about Trevor Wye. You both have been a big help. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Jen

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 9:12 am

Amen for Trevor Wye! The Beginner's books (volumes 1 and 2) are great! The piano accompaniment book, as well as all those duets, is quite handy-students learn early how to play with others. The tone exercises are valuable, and the focus on teaching musical concepts from the beginning, instead of a greater attention to learning more and more notes/fingerings (many band methods are at least a little guilty of this) is a welcome change.

powayflute01 · Post by **powayflute01** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 1:58 pm

I learned on the Rubank Elementry along with the Rubank "Selected duets" volume one. I actually did the beginning, intermediate and advanced rubank books and both duet books. I'm unfamiliar with Trevor Wye, but I do agree with Monika that the Rubank books don't focus enough on sharps. I think that playing duets as a supplement to etude/method books is a great idea (more fun for the student and good lessons in playing together with people).