WOODWIND METHODS CLASS (MU : 041 :01)

WOODWIND METHODS CLASS (MU : 041 :01)

Fall 2001

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Gail B. Levinsky

OFFICE: Heilman Hall/Room 109 OFFICE HOURS: Open door policy and by appointment PHONE: 372-4266

E-Mail: gblevinsky@susqu.edu CLASS TIMES: M/W 12:30 - 1:20 PM CLASS LOCATION: Heilman Hall Rehearsal Room

Catalog Description:

One Hour Credit. Study of woodwind instruments with emphasis on embouchure, technique, and teaching problems.

Objectives:

1. To familiarize each student with the fundamentals of teaching and performing woodwind instruments.

2. To demonstrate mechanical understanding of each woodwind instrument through scales, prepared literature and teaching demonstrations.

3. To build a student's confidence with their ability to evaluate a wide variety of potential problems in teaching the woodwind family.

Topics to Be Covered:

1. Basic Performance Skills:

a. Assembly

b. Embouchure

c. Fingerings

d. Breathing

e. Tonguing & Articulation

f. Technique

g. Intonation

h. Student qualifications

2. Elementary Woodwind Pedagogy

a. Band Methods

b. Specific Woodwind Teaching Methods for the Beginning Student

c. Specific Woodwind Repertoire for the Beginning Student

d. Teaching Strategies for Special Needs Students

3. Specific Administrative Requirements for the Instrumental Music Education Specialist.

a. Equipment selection: instrument, reed, and mouthpiece.

b. Classroom environment: homogeneous v.s. heterogeneous setup

c. Music Technology relative to the woodwind teaching.

Student Activities:

1. Performance Skills (15%)

• This will include both weekly assignments and a final performance examination on each instrument.

• Weekly assignments will be taken from the text and other elementary band repertoire.

2. Teaching Demonstration (20%)

• During each class session students will at times be requested to demonstrate their understanding of specific woodwind pedagogical problems by teaching fellow classmates. Moreover, a final teaching demonstration will be tentatively presented.

3. Resource File: (25%)

• This file/notebook will become an invaluable resource as a professional music educator. Contents of the Resource File should include information from instrument manufacturers, reed and accessories companies, fingering charts, music catalogs, magazine articles, class notes, video tape reviews, solo/chamber bibliography, and so forth. Using the World Wide Web for information is greatly encouraged

4. Written Examinations: (25%)

• A examination covering classroom discussions and reading materials will be given after the study of each woodwind instrument. Students will be tested on their knowledge of elementary performance and pedagogical issues relevant to the flute, clarinet, and saxophone.

Method of Instruction:

Lecture, discussion, demonstration sessions, and individual instruction.

Supplies:

2 clarinet reeds, 2 saxophone reeds, 1 oboe reed, 1 bassoon reed depending on instrument selection.

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PURCHASE OF ABOVE PRODUCTS.

Evaluations:

Course grade is based on written examinations, performance exams, resource file and teaching demonstrations.

Attendance: Registration for this course suggests your desire to learn about teaching woodwind instruments. It is anticipated and expected that you will be in class. This is the moment that many of you have been waiting for! Learning about pedagogy and methodology of all those instruments that someday you will get paid to teach others about. You are allowed two unexcused absences. ALL OTHER ABSENCES WILL REDUCE YOUR FINAL GRADE BY ONE LETTER GRADE!!! It is the responsibility of each student to make-up any classwork.

Required Text:

DIETZ, WILLIAM, general editor, Teaching Woodwinds: A Method and Resource Handbook for Music Educators, New York: Schirmer Books, 1998.

Bibliography

GENERAL WOODWINDS

Merriman, L., Woodwind Research Guide (1978)

Rasmussen, M., Teacher's Guide to the Literature of Woodwind Instruments

Skei, A., Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Instruments (1985)

Voxman, H., Woodwind Solo and Study Material Music Guide (1975)

Weerts, Richard K., How to Develop & Maintain Successful Woodwind Section. West Nynack, NY: Parker Publishing Co., 1972.

HISTORY, PERFORMANCE, PEDAGOGY

Moss Rehabilitation Hospital Settlement Music School Therapeutic Music Program. Guide to the Selection of Music Instruments with Respect to Physical Ability and Disability. (1982)

Weisberg, A. The Art of Wind Playing (1975)

Westphal, F. Guide to Teaching Woodwinds Orchestra! Woodwinds (1991)

Video Instrumentalist. Woodwind Anthology (1992)

WWW site & Internet newsgroups

General woodwind information:

Wind World http://www.windworld.com/

Windplayer On-line http://www.windplayer.com/

Woodwind Guide http://www.wfg.sneezy.org/

Instrument manufacturers and makers:

Boosey & Hawkes http://www.boosey.com/

Leblanc http://www.gleblanc.com/

Selmer http://www.selmer.com/

Yamaha http://www.yamaha.com/

Reeds and instrument products:

Rico International http://www.ricoreeds.com/

Rovner Products, Inc. http://www.rovnerproducts.com/

Vandoren Reed Products http://www.daddario.com/

Bassoon/Oboe:

The Bassoon Studio http://www.geocities.com/shellyandryan/bassoon1.html

Bassoon.Org http://bassoon.org/page1.htm

Bassoon Fingering Companion http://idrs.colorado.edu/bsnfing/finghome.htm

International Doublereed Society http://idrs.colorado.edu/

Oboe Grand Central http://www.wsu.edu/~blake/

Clarinet:

The Clarinet Homepage http://www.windplayer.com/wp/clarinet.html

International Clarinet Association http://www.clarinet.org/

The Clarinet Corner http://www.selmer.com/clarinet/discus/index.html

Jazz Clarinet Homepage http://www.mikecassara.com/clarinet/

Flute:

General information. http://users.uniserve.com/~lwk/supply.htm

National Flute Association http://www.nfaonline.org/

Saxophone:

North American Saxophone Alliance http://www.saxalliance.org/

International Saxophone Homepage http://www.saxophone.org/

Saxophone FAQ http://www.rahul.net/rrk/saxfaq/

Music Education:

Music Eduation National Conference http://www.menc.org/

Important Dates for Fall 2001

SEPT 4, Tuesday Course Drop/Add deadline. Students who add a course after this date are subject to a $25. Late-change fee.

SEPT 14, Thursday Withdrawal deadline for 14-week course.

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO WITHDRAW FROM A COURSE AFTER THIS DEADLINE BY PAYING A LATE FEE.

SEPT 19, Wednesday No Class: Yom Kippur

OCT 15, Monday No Class--Mid-term Break

NOV 21, Wednesday No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday

DEC 8-9 Reading Days

December 10 Final examination 3 :00 - 5:00 PM

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