Elaine Snowden

EDSEC 477
Music Literacy Text Set
1. Standards of Excellence by Bruce Pearson
a. This is an overall method book comprised of some theory concepts, tips specific
to the instrument that book pertains, and songs that an entire ensemble can play
together. This includes text explanations of how to hold each instrument as well
and I find this one to be color-coded in a manner that is engaging to students. I
chose this book because it has the resources to answer a lot of questions before
students need to ask. It even includes fingering charts which encourages
independence for students to look up information themselves. I believe that it is
important to use this method book as a tool and that it has a lot to offer but I
also believe it’s important to not use it as a crutch. I can introduce concepts and
then show them to students visually using the book. Overall, this book is a good
way to visually and standardly notate concepts but should not replace the aural
portion of music education.
2. Sightreadingfactory.com
a. This is an online, interactive resource that students can access on their own or
we can use as an ensemble. The concept of sight reading is a major part of music
literacy in the band room and ensures that students not only see notated
concepts but then go on to actually use and practice them. I chose this because
it’s has plenty of tools along with it, including a randomness in the sight reading
that prevents boredom from students. This can be used as an assignment, having
students record themselves playing something, perform it for me, or I can use
the ensemble component to have the ensemble sight read as a group. Overall,
this is important to practice music literacy skills which provide a foundation for
students to continue to create music in the band setting.
3. Link to collection of instrument maintenance YouTube videos:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLXIWpWXm26YnHTm2nmsRiy0U-HaYrw8
a. This is a collection of videos on how to clean varying band instruments. This is
important because young musicians—and even old ones—are notorious for
neglecting their instruments which then in turn damage them or just make them
harder for the musician to even use effectively. I picked this resource because I
believe videos are more applicable then text describing how to do something. If
students can see the action actually happening, it will be safer than if they were
to decipher a written article over the same information. Students will also always
have access to these videos at home or school. Then students can use these
videos at home or, in the very beginning, students can use these videos in the
class so that I can observe while they clean their (fragile) instruments for the first
time.
4. Oneminutemusiclesson.com
a. This resource fulfills a similar need to the YouTube playlist of instrument
maintenance videos. I like that these are videos—as opposed to a textual
reading—and they are also, as named, short. Students, especially those in
beginning band, won’t have the patience to sit through long videos so by using
shorter videos, there is a better chance of students actually learning the concept
rather than getting distracted from it halfway through. In addition to this, we can
use these videos in class, or if I have an older group, I could have them watch the
videos on their own and turn in reviews over them or discuss them together in
class.
5. “Tips on Buying Quality Band and Orchestra Instruments” by beginband.com
a. This is an article that is aimed towards parents and their students in beginning
band. Often times, students have to have their own instruments if schools don’t
have the resources to let students borrow them. However, these instruments
can be several hundred dollars so parents want to make sure they are getting
their money’s worth and buying an instrument that will actually serve the needs
of their child. I chose this article then because it short and to the point while
giving a list of company names that parents and students can specifically look
for. This will help students and parents feel more safe and comfortable with their
purchases while also helping me, as the director, ensure that my ensemble have
playable instruments.
6. “A General Overview of the Band and Orchestra Instruments” by beginband.com
a. This article is from the same resource as the one above but this one is more of a
prerequisite. Everyone in band is going to play an instrument, however they all
have different backgrounds. Some students will already have an instrument that
they’ll play because they already had it and some won’t know anything about
any of the instruments. This article is then a good bridge between them to
ensure that students who already have an instrument know some basics and
what they’ll be doing in the upcoming semester, while teaching the one’s with
little to no background what their options are. I can use this right in the
beginning of class and also send it home with kids so that they can look it over
with their parents before deciding what instrument they want to play in band
that year.