Recorder Lesson 2 -- B-A-G

Here's another 3 minute lesson of the notes B-A-G.

Recorder Lesson 1 -- Basic Technique

Hey Third graders and other recorder lovers. Here is the first of two videos for you to review and practice with. It's all stuff we covered in class last Friday, but this way you can refresh your memory when you need to. Just click on the play button

Music at Third Street Begins for 2010-2011!

Friday we had our first day of music classes. I know I feel this way every year, but it does seem like Third Street has an exceptionally bright bunch of kids this year. I am excited about the prospect of working with them.

Third Graders were up first. For anyone who is new to the school or to this blog, music at Third Street is taught in three ten week blocks, with Third Grade and Fifth Grade going in Block 1 (this arrangement allows me to cover the whole school). In third grade our primary focus is on melody and note reading so every kid receives a recorder and instruction on how to use it. We also spent a little time discussing other members of the "aerophone" family and how they work. Students also received their first piece of music -- "Mary Had A Little Lamb: -- written in tablature, a style notating that tell the musician how to play as well as what to play.

Friday I also visited all fourth and fifth grade classes to let them know that ensemble is beginning next week. With furlough days coming up in November, I decided to start a little early this year, so we will be ready for our first dhow in December.

At Third Street School there are two ensembles that meet in the morning before classes -- an Orff Ensemble that meets on Tuesdays that is open to 4th and 5th graders and a Recorder Ensemble for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders that meets on Fridays. If anyone is not familiar with Orff Ensemble, there is some video on my website homepage. Permission forms for both ensembles were passed out to students and additional forms are available in the office. Feel free to e mail me at richardlawton@sbcglobal.net or post me a message on this blog, if you'd like more information about the ensembles.

Should be a great year. Keep checking back!