Open the Magic Door! Teaching Beginners (Session 1 of 3)
Saturday, February 27, 2021 11:30 AM EST
Instructor: Kathleen Wissinger
In this 3-class track, we will explore a systematic, logical and very effective way to introduce brand new musicians to the joys of ringing – whether in person or virtually!! Topics will include chord playing, basic L1 rhythms, space and line note designation, use of unison exercises, learning to read notes on a staff and playing notes on a grand staff. Spiraling and scaffolding concepts are used throughout to assure readiness for each step and mastery of skills. You will participate as if you are a new ringer – and time for questions will be included during each step of the process. Two resources primarily used will be: Square One (Kathleen Wissinger, RE3013R) and Beginning Busy Ringers (Kirtsy Mitchell, AG010). Tunes That Teach (M.L. Thompson, AG009) will also be used. You DO NOT need to own these materials; examples will be projected during the classes. While geared for the classroom, these teaching methods apply in sacred and community settings as well. My goal in teaching is to produce well-informed, confident, capable, independent musicians.
Equipment needed – 3 bells/chimes – two adjacent natural notes (the lower one a space note and the upper a line note) – like DE5 or GA6, plus one sharp (any Black note) – OR – 3 similar-sized objects to stand in as bells like wooden spoons, Silicone pastry brushes, hair brushes, salad dressing bottles
Please note: Many of the questions in the chat will have been answered verbally and will appear in the recording.
00:28:53 Mya: Kath Wissinger [email protected]
00:43:04 Anita Meserole: what do you do with students who already play an instrument and this is way too easy?
00:43:05 Lise Meloy: This is really informative. Thank you!
00:43:34 Denise: I think this is a wonderful way to teach children. Thank you so much for this class.
00:43:56 maryryrholm: What age would you like to start beginners?
00:48:07 Deborah Madden: I have been ringing for fours years and this is the first time someone has explained how to hold the chimes properly, damp and use the flashlight position
00:49:07 Anita Meserole: Great Thanks
00:51:08 Karen: is there anything specific that you would change for beginning adults?
00:55:20 Karen: thank you!!!!
00:56:24 Anita Meserole: Is it better to start new ringers at a “busy” spot or a “non-busy” spot where theres a lot of rests?
00:58:30 Deborah Madden: Can you recommend practice bells sets for home use
00:59:29 Deborah Madden: Thanks
01:00:58 Sara Shierling: Do you have trouble with students ringing together in a chord?
01:03:16 Nikki Evans: When I started solo ringing, I practiced weaving with colored pens. Then they all matched, but I could also know if I put one in the wrong spot
01:03:59 Nikki Evans: So the weight matched, but the colors helped me tell them apart. Could also help for bell changes