Text Box: SURE START is a Whole-String method. It presents the string as a whole before its parts are explored so that the entire string length always feels accessible. Key and Mode are the determining factors for securing intonation as opposed to the learning of patterns and positions for left-hand finger placement. Teachers may be tempted to overuse the affinity that children have for repetition, but in order to fully understand what something is, students need to know what it is not. For instance, children will understand mode when they can sing a favorite song in both minor and major modes. Simple repetition will produce the song but without musical understanding. The Importance of Singing and Chanting This course will offer strategies for eliciting and working with children’s oral responses. This may include reconciling the sound quality of the voice with the timbre of a stringed instrument. SURE START sees ease in matching pitch as a function of awareness, readiness, or as Gordon says, “shedding ego-centricity.” This means that persons who sing in tune have learned to do so. We will also explore how chanting or echoing the Gordon rhythm patterns secures rhythmic awareness and enhances musicality. Writing to read best describes the SURE START approach to rhythmic literacy.     Text Box: Every child can learn to play a stringed instrument? Perhaps. But SURE START prefers to see each individual as a mystery – complex, unique, evolving. And, SURE START encourages adults to explore stringed instruments.   Text Box:

 

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                           
 

Text Box:  Awareness: Full, rich sound: dynamic range, vibrato Playing in tune: using music's tonal vocabulary Rhythmic security Understanding: form, key, mode

Text Box:  fretless productions  SURE START     Pedagogy Workshop Instructor:  Helen Martin Fall 2008 - November 28 Easton, Pennsylvania    

Text Box: Skills: Playing by ear, without decoding Physical stamina and agility Text Box:  Literacy: Reading music - audiation Memorization through understanding Text Box:  Readiness: Singing in tune Moving rhythmically  

Text Box: SAMPLE SCHEDULE Each session will present and integrate musical and technical skills   8:30: Coffee 9: 00 – 10:30 Emphasis: Establishing a comfortable, efficient posture. Building stamina. 10:45 – 12:00 Using the JRI CD’s 12:00 – 1:15 Lunch provided 1:15 – 2:30 Bowing comfort  2:30 – 4:00 Left hand fluency 7 – 9 PM Expressive playing   Text Box: Tuition Application/Registration fee by September 30, 2008 (nonrefundable) Prepay with PayPal $150 Single Session - $50.00 Prepay with PayPal  

Text Box: Materials provided: § VIOLIN FOR MUSICIANS - DVD See www.maestronet.com for review (Secret Weapon) § fretless SURE START, Book I

Text Box: Application procedure: Complete the application form. Enclose the $50 application fee made payable to fretless (covers Materials, below) (PayPal button available below for application fee) Enclose a brief outline of your motivation for and approach to teaching, including your previous teaching experience* Send the form, check and outline to: Helen Martin/Fretless, 509 Reeder Street, Easton, PA 18042-1733 All applications requested by September 30, 2008 Later applications as space allows Class size limited  

Text Box: Recommended reading: A MUSIC LEARNING THEORY FOR NEWBORN AND YOUNG CHILDREN, Edwin E. Gordon; Publisher, GIA www.giamusic.com  

Text Box:                   SURE START GOALS Independence: While the role of repetition is essential, decision-making is crucial to learning. The challenge of any art is to become self-critical and then to proceed with constructive, positive strategies.