Fingering Fine - with RECORDERS
| Students at my school begin Recorder when they enter the 5th grade. By the end of september they are playing a few songs, which they learn mainly by rote. To transition into reading and learning other pitches we play Music Alphabet Fine forwards and backwards in 2nds. I noticed the other day that when we start with letter C on the bottom it ends up matching the way the notes fall on the recorder. |
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Immediately a new game came into my head! Students had just learned a new song using B and G. I asked them if they noticed anything about the way the letters looked - if it reminded them of anything else we are doing in music class. Of course after a minute of thinking and some very creative answers a student said "B is on top just like on the recorder" A-HA!!!! Students laid their recorders down next to the letters and immediately made the connection. I asked each student to take a mental picture of the way cards looked and then we turned them all over letter side down. Next each student got a blank WILD CARD to use for the thumb hole. The cards represent the holes on the recorder. Each student gathered 8 magic notes to represent fingers - 4 of one color for the Left Hand and 4 of a different color for the Right Hand. We lined up the magic notes, one next to each card (hole). Then I took a set of alphabet cards that were a contrasting color to my own, pulled out the notes they knew how to finger, and as I turned them over they showed me the fingering with their magic notes and said "FINE" when they were done. To check we would say the letter followed by what holes to cover: "A - Thumb, 1 and 2". To make sure students were making the connection from the floor to the recorder I did a quick echo pattern for each note (my students have neck straps for recorders so they are always handy when we need them and out of the way when we don't). Then we were ready to play Recorder Fingering Fine :) |
| Here is what you need: Two different colored sets of Music Alphabet Cards for the teacher - one for each student, 8 magic notes per player (4 of one color for the Left Hand and 4 of a different color for the Right Hand), one wild card for each player (to serve as the thumb hole), and a recorder.
Here's how to play: Each student plays Music Alphabet Fine starting with C. When we are all Fine all the cards are turned over. Each student places a blank wild card for the thumbhole next to the top card (B). Next, a magic note is placed next to each card. 4 for the Left Hand and 4 for the Right Hand. The teacher shuffles a deck of alphabet cards and lays out the card on top while calling it out. Students then place magic notes on the cards that represent the correct fingering for that note. (you may say High C, High D or C2 and D2, but remember to differentiate which one you mean or students are confused). When they are finished they say "Fine" of course! Finally everyone checks. EX: B - Thumb and 1 G - Thumb 1, 2 and 3 Teacher says clear and you play to your hearts content. I tried this game with my 6th graders later that day as review and they impressed themselves with how quickly it all came back :) I asked them "Does this feel like a test?" They said "NO! It feels like a game" Assessments as games? It's a good thing :) If you try this game out please let me know how it goes! |
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its a very good and logical
its a very good and logical game the Recorder, splizzie! the students enjoy the time at school im sure!
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Classroom teachers - try this game and if you discover new things that work great or that don't work - please keep me posted!