Why are you teaching THAT to my child?
@GardenGerty (169448)
United States
February 17, 2017 6:51am CST
In this case "that" is the recorder. The music teacher was asked that by a parent.
He explained it to them and then to the students as well.
Learning the recorder, you learn manual dexterity as you finger the notes. You learn to use your fingers separately and effectively.
You learn concentration, to follow the notes.
Learning music means learning how to listen, to yourself and others to make your pitches match.
There is dedication, to practice the music, at home, on your own.
I never thought of it this way, but it is true. Each piece of music that the student masters is an accomplishment that he or she can be proud of as they become progressively more difficult.
16 people like this
18 responses
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Feb 17
I took some piano lessons when I was ten or eleven. I practiced for hours. Never very musically inclined. Perhaps I could concentrate better now if I had stayed with it longer.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
19 Feb 17
@celticeagle LOL, I think we all do as we are aging.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
You still got the basics in and the practice was good for you. It may even have improved your typing for your writing that you do . Yes, I know I would concentrate better now than I did when I was younger, because I would know why I was doing it.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Feb 17
@GardenGerty .....That's a good thing. I need better concentration.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
17 Feb 17
Its a great instrument to learn on and very forgiving at the start as you can make so many blunders with the notes as you go along. I learned to play by ear. I did not follow the music at all. I did not read it in other words.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
19 Feb 17
@lovinangelsinstead21 My sister was made to wear ear plugs and she got a ruler on her knuckles.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
My sister and some other people I know play everything by ear. I think it is a real talent. When she was learning though it was considered a weakness.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
18 Feb 17
@GardenGerty
So we are two of a kind. I could not read the Music properly at all but I could play by ear and that is all what counted for me.
Teacher had got a Cardboard Roll and you got donked on the head with it when you did not read the Music.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
I was not good at it. I remember a younger friend from a different school learning violin. At first it was awful to hear him practice, but he became so good at it. I believe he got scholarships.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (74987)
• United States
18 Feb 17
@GardenGerty I think I was really good at the recorder but I would have to ask my parents now if so wanted a truthful answer haha.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
19 Feb 17
@shaggin Well it sounds as if you have good memories of it, so you must have felt successful.
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
Our country has put so much emphasis on standardized testing in math, English, reading, science and social studies that if a program does not have a written standardized test, it is perceived as unworthy. I hope all parents understand that in real life you have to be able to do and enjoy many things.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
19 Feb 17
@LadyDuck It is constantly in the news how we are falling behind in education in the US. No wonder people get focused on the tests.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502424)
• Italy
18 Feb 17
@GardenGerty There is more in life that knowing math and science, but too many parents cannot understand.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
17 Feb 17
Everything we learn enriches us. My grandson plays for a marching band. The dedication needed to produce a food performance will always be with him. The experiences he's gained because of this are beyond price. In January 2018 he will be marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena California...now that's something to add to your resume.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
Oh, that is wonderful for.him. Yes, marching while playing is a challenge, we did that a lot.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
19 Feb 17
@Morleyhunt We would be at school at six in the morning to practice on the football field in Jr. Hi and High School.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
18 Feb 17
@GardenGerty and anyone who has seen this group of young people are amazed at how perfect they look....perfectly groomed...perfectly in step....perfectly in line....this takes hours and days and weeks of practice.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
17 Feb 17
I would think a parent would love for their child to be taught any instrument. There is far too little of the right type of music in young people's lifes today. Learning music is a wonder thing, you use you r reading, listening, fine motor skils, and so many other things.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
Yes, music is an enrichment as is music appreciation. You cannot ever seem to please everyone, though. J who is one of the students on our caseload, is focused more on learning and succeeding in his classes. Is it because of music? Who knows, but so far he has learned to play and has memorized three little songs.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
21 Feb 17
@GardenGerty you never know what will motivate a child.
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
This will probably only last for one quarter here. Is she fourth grade as well? Our instructor is doing "recorder karate" where the kids earn a colored piece of yarn for each song they learn.
1 person likes this
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
22 Feb 17
@GardenGerty I think she is in 4th grade....I lose track...too many kids to keep track of.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
21 Feb 17
Oh, the memories that brings back! I was so pleased and proud of myself when I learned to play a song! The recorder can do more for self esteem than a fake participation trophy ever could.
The recorder is a very inexpensive way to foster a love of music in a child, to start them on their way to playing or just appreciating music. Ours used to be black in the 60s but I noticed the one I bought my granddaughter at a thrift store was white. Maybe they changed or expanded the colors,
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
22 Feb 17
I started taking flute in fifth grade. A recorder would have been more suitable and affordable. My daughter remembers learning it in school. I do not remember her doing it. The ones we use and all I had ever seen were white. The instructor has a brown, cinnamon colored one. We watched all kinds of videos on youtube today of various recorders. There was even a double contra bass recorder in a recorder ensemble. I love how you sum up some of the benefits of music in the schools, and learning the recorder.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
18 Feb 17
It is such a great thing to learn the recorder.
My sisters learned that in school and to this day they always talk about how fun it was. It always reminds me of a piccolo.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
It has some of the same fingerings as piccolo, I believe. It is just played in front like a clarinet or an oboe. I am not good with music but I do enjoy it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
In so many schools we have "trimmed the fat" from learning, and also lost the fun and pleasure of getting new skills. I admire the teachers I work with here.
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
17 Feb 17
Did he accept the reasoning..?? sometimes it's hard to see the benefits from doing some simple things....when we're young and as we get older or in re-hab from strokes ect....
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
I imagine the parent did. For all I know, it may be the parent who constantly removes his student (who loves music, and singing) from doing what his peers due because of stated religious beliefs. If it was that parent. . . well his student is still in class so he must have accepted it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
Yes, it is much like a "toy" instrument, but it is a good introduction for students who may not otherwise venture to try learning to read music or play. Doing it in the company of a class lets them feel it is normal or okay.
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
It is around three dollars and they do not even have to buy it unless they want to.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
18 Feb 17
I actually loved music when I was in school.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
I enjoyed it more as an adult when I was with a church choir that did a lot. I did not have enough push behind me at home to get good at an instrument.
@luisadannointed (11852)
• Philippines
17 Feb 17
If that can make the students be better in school and to what they do that is good then be it. God bless.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
17 Feb 17
I can understand them wanting to know what good comes from something (there is always something), but that's a rude way to ask!
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
Well, they could ask in a little more toned down manner. "I am curious how learning a recorder will benefit my child?" They may just sound rude without it being intended though. He could have sent home a note telling parents about the program initially, but many would not read it.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
20 Feb 17
@GardenGerty @MALUSE yeah, I would have asked, "I see the kids are learning recorder. I remember doing that as a kid, but I have to admit, I have no idea WHY schools teach that. What all do they learn from it?"
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
20 Feb 17
@MALUSE oh I agree, it's more funny, but I just know I wouldn't have been that rude myself
@xFiacre (14805)
• Ireland
17 Feb 17
@gardengerty That's all very well for him but it's the parents who have to listen to the darned thing endlessly!!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
That is what bedroom doors are for. It will not last long, they will either get better, or quit.
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
18 Feb 17
I like both of the music teachers we have at this small school. They teach at other schools in the district as well. They both use music to help kids learn other things.
