Great new method books for beginning music students

In my years of teaching elementary music, I've discovered a method of instruction that will enable students to learn to play quickly. I have found that it's important to let children explore and practice technical elements of their instruments, such as correct position, sound production and fingering in an interesting and non-threatening way.

The more success the student has, the more easily he or she will navigate the difficult first stages of learning to play an instrument.

I developed Right from the Start© by observing what really works in teaching groups of third and fourth grade beginning instrumental students. I present the material in a way that gets the students playing immediately. The result is a learning experience that builds their enthusiasm and provides a foundation for continuing music education.

Right from the Start© is written with the unique needs of elementary school students in mind. Young children need to experience success quickly, and Right from the Start© is designed to motivate students to practice and encourage them in the difficult early stages of learning to play an instrument.

Right from the Start© will give your students a repertoire of familiar tunes that will prepare them for theoretical knowledge and serve as a solid foundation for developing reading and ensemble skills. The focus is on developing the technical skill to play with fluency, good tone and enjoyment.

As the children master beginning technical elements, they are also developing a repertoire of songs that they know and enjoy. This book is intended as a primer, to be used before any standard method book. Although music reading is presented, the focus is on playing music before reading music.

Right from the Start© is presented in a format that is easy for a young student to read. The uncluttered pages allow the student to develop the ability to track while playing, a basic skill which will be required to read music.

After some beginning instruction in holding the instrument, producing a sound and learning several notes, the student can easily use the pages with letter names to play the songs. Because the same songs are presented on the musical staff, the students can use them later to begin making the transition from rote to reading.

After completing Right from the Start©, the student should be able to:

• produce an acceptable tone
• know fingerings/bowing patterns
• demonstrate correct posture, position and/or embouchure
• play the songs easily.

They also will know the basic theoretical elements that prepare them to continue with other method books or ensemble repertoire.

Right from the Start© presents only what the child needs to achieve the desired result —playing the song. Explanation and guidance come from you, the teacher. After instruction in the basic mechanics of playing the instrument, your student will be able to use the pages with only note names as a guide to practice.

Right from the Start also prepares the student for reading music. As students are able to play the songs easily, they can begin to look at the versions written on the staff. Most students will need direct instruction in music reading, but some will immediately make the connection between the note names and music on the staff.

I would especially like to thank Pat Pinkston and June Cheleden for their example of excellent teaching. Right from the Start© builds upon work created and used successfully by them to teach their own students.

Thanks also to Sandy Gunn, who provided the right mix of musical knowledge, understanding of teaching and expertise in computer technology and graphic design to bring these method books to their present form.

If Right from the Start© helps to bring the joy of making music to many children and their teachers, it will have accomplished its purpose.

Thank you,
Phyllis Moss

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