Finding your first instrument is such a big deal! I started violin on a butter box taped to a ruler (Suzuki). My folks bought my first piano from a guy for $25 dollars. It almost fell out of the truck on the way to the house! My first trumpet was my Dad's. They were each special and wonderful. I got my first actually new instrument when I was well into high school. I still remember taking it out of the plastic. I also still own that horn! Your first instrument needs to be reliable and of good quality--but practicing is what is really going to make things work. Follow this link for some quick tips on how to find your first instrument.
Create a free account at Soundation.com. Watch the tutorial on one monitor (or your phone) with Soundation open on another, following along.
You can compose and create music without knowing the names of the lines and spaces on the staff, but sometimes it is easier when you have a better understanding of what you are doing. Below, you will find a link to MusicTheory.net at which you can practice name the lines and spaces of the treble clef (used by many melodic instruments". Enjoy!
MusicTheory.net practice, treble clef
The video below is a five minute tutorial on the use of MusicTheory.net. It presents an effective explanation of the site, if you want to dig deeper.
This short (fewer than five minutes) TedEd video does a great job of explaining the staff.
It is also kind of cute. Enjoy! You will run into challenges, and discovering their solutions is where the greatest learning will take place. I know stuff about playing instruments and teaching music. You know stuff about Instagram and Tumblr. You are the cool kids, I am the less cool grown-up. (OK, I'm actually, well, no, that's exactly what I am.) I am always happy to help you find solutions to things that aren't working for you-I am even happier when you have tried, super duper tried, to find the solution on your own. This world is changing faster than I can possibly keep up, and I love it, but it's more than I can stay on top of. I am helping you learn stuff about music, but even more importantly I am helping you to learn. Here is a handy-dandy chart to use as your first couple of steps in exploring answers to your questions. Where did I get it, you ask? My son shared it with me (hm) after the bazillionth time I said "hey, can you fix this?" So, here you go. Consider yourself empowered! -Mrs. E I am an Oklahoma State Department certified teacher, with an undergraduate degree in Music Education from Kansas State University and a Master's degree in trumpet performance from the University of Central Oklahoma. I am currently working toward the Master in Education degree (Educational Technology) with Oklahoma State University. I have five years of secondary level teaching experience in Kansas, and eight years of experience designing and teaching secondary instrumental and general/technology/worship arts music courses in Oklahoma. Healthy arts programs facilitating rich and varied student opportunities strengthen who we are as a community of human beings. There is much to celebrate in current and historical music education, and I value being part of a community of innovation which supports its continued growth and facilitates increased societal awareness of its relevance. |
Kathy EssmillerMusician, educator, two kids, two dogs. ArchivesCategories
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