Recorder Info - 4th/5th Grades

Recorder staff

4th Gr. Recorders start last half of 2nd trimester (5th Gr. starts around 3rd trimester) 

Recorder Karate:  4th & 5th Gr. songs are in the sidebar -->

Recorder Information & Grading:

* Recorder Bug Form

* 4th Gr. Soprano Recorders - Bug #1 Due:  March 11         White Belt Belt Due:  TBD

 * 5th Gr. Alto Recorders - Bug #1 Due:            White Belt Belt Due:  

* Creating a practice routine is important.   See the bottom of the page for practicing tips.

* Backpack rule  keeps everything together! Everything (recorder, folder with book/pencil/worksheets/ recorder bugs) should be in the backpack unless it is out for practice. That way it is not forgotten on the Tuesdays and Thursdays for class.

* Recorder Bug is worth 20 homework pts. These will be due about every 2 weeks. That allows 5 days of 10 minutes of practice each week with 2 days off. (Every school day it is late, will mean the grade goes down 10%. It will show as a 0 until turned in. These can be slipped under my door if I am not in my room.) 

* Bringing supplies: 3 class points given for bringing each of their recorder and book to each class. 

* Minimum belt requirements for Recorder Karate are set to keep students moving along. It is also worth 20 points to achieve a specific belt color by the specified date. This is a date that is achievable by all students if they keep up with their practice time! Sign up times are outside my door.

* The belts gradually get harder in difficulty. After 4th Gr. students achive the Black Belt of the first set, they will receive a second set of songs to aim for a higher "degree of black belt." 

* For 4th & 5th Gr.: Anytime after achieving the Black Belt, a Multi-color Belt can be earned by learning both parts of a duet and playing it with another person. Although you have to play it together, both students may not receive the belt if they aren't skilled enough.

 

Recorder staff Recorder Karate Sign-up is next to Miss Bremer's door.

*To give everyone a chance, please don't sign for more than 1 spot in a week. After coming the first time, then you can sign up for your 2nd spot during that week.

*If you're not ready, erase/cross out your name so someone else can use that spot.

*If you don't succeed in getting a belt, then sign up for another time that week to try to earn one.

*You have to earn the belts in order as listed.

* You do NOT have to memorize the songs. You MAY write in note names and/or counting to help.

*You keep working on the same song until you earn that belt. It may take 5+ times to earn it - but use the recordings on my classroom page to keep practicing so you will eventually get it!

*You keep working on the same song until you earn that belt. It may take 5+ times to earn it - but use the recordings on my classroom page to keep practicing so you will eventually get it!

Recorder staff Tips for PRACTICING: (printable version)

Find a PLACE without distractions that works for the family.

Create a ROUTINE so you don't have cram practice time just before a practice bug is due.

Have SUPPLIES handy (book, recorder, pencil, eraser, recording, metronome)

Have a GOAL for practicing - learn a new song, fix the 2 problem measures you have, speed up the tempo of the entire song, etc.

Overall Practice Routine: 1) WARM UP by playing a couple songs you know well, 2) Work on the GOALS,  3) Try sight-reading something totally FUN.

For NEW SONGS:  1) LOOK through the piece for patterns or things that look unusual  2) Choose a slow steady tempo and try to PLAY it. [this is called sight-reading]  3) FINGER the notes while you say the note names  4) PLAY the piece at a slower tempo with correct rhythms 5) DETERMINE PROBLEM sections, if any

For PROBLEM SECTIONS:  1) Decide what the shortest problem is. 2) Slowly FINGER it while saying note names until you can gradually speed up. 3) Slowly PLAY it until you can gradually play it faster Write in note names, counting or other helps if you need it  4) REPEAT the short section until it can be played correctly 3 times in a row at the desired speed.  5) Play a slightly LONGER section (maybe 4 measures) and follow steps #3 & 4 until secure. 6) Play the ENTIRE piece to determine any other problem areas and follow the same steps for those sections.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF (in no particular order): 1) Try playing while lying on the floor or standing on one foot or walking in place for a challenge to yourself. When you go back to regular position, it might be easier to concentrate. 2) Try playing a song from memory  3) Try figuring out how to play a song "by ear" - no music, just trial and error  4) Try one time to play it twice as fast as you think it should go (however, if you can't do it, slow it down and gradually get faster using a metronome)  5) learn a new note from the fingering chart in the book  6) Ask someone to sing along with you