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General:
- Pages are uncluttered.
- Letter names are imbedded directly in the noteheads where needed.
- New notes are each introduced through a simple one-note song that places the pitch in the ear and allows the fingers and the mind to learn the note and its position on the staff.
Order of notes:
- Early: B, A, G, E, D. The first 4 sections of the method book are PENTATONIC songs.
- This order involves the right hand in playing much sooner than methods where high C and D are introduced right after B, A, G. Many right-handed children are resistant to putting their left hand on top. They
want to use their dominant hand. By choosing E as the next note learned, children realize that the right hand will be used. It establishes good habits of placement of the right hand from the start.
- Later: F#, high C, D, and E, alternate B fingering. These notes are harder to finger or have less contact with the recorder causing some awkwardness.
Reinforcement in the presentation of pitches and rhythms:
(Each bullet represents a section in this method book. The first bullet is Part One, and so on.)
- B, A, G -- 13 tunes
- B, A, G, E -- 8 tunes
- B, A, G, E, D -- 6 tunes
(plus additional harmony parts in duets throughout remainder of book)
- Eighth note rhythm -- 12 tunes
- B, A, G, E, D, F# -- 24 tunes
- Dotted quarter note with an eighth note -- 9 tunes
- New meter 6/8 -- 6 tunes (with another 6 scattered in the following sections)
- B, A, G, E, D, F#, C -- 17 tunes
- B, A, G, E, D, F#, C, high D -- 24 tunes
- B, A, G, E, D, F#, C, high D, high E -- 20 tunes (high E is not used in the harmonies)
- B, A, G, E, D, F#, C, high D, high E, alternate B fingering -- 8 tunes
Reinforcement in the presentation of meters (before another is introduced):
- 4/4 -- 6 tunes
- 3/4 -- 5 tunes
- 2/4 -- 12 tunes
- 6/8 --10 tunes
- 6/4 -- 1 tune
Breakdown of songs:
- 52 duets
- 8 rounds
- 5 Christmas (mostly secular)
- 9 Hispanic
- 46 Non-European: 18 Native American;14 Eastern;7 Polynesian/Maori; 3 Hebrew; 3 Jamaican; 1 African
Features 2 fold-out fingering charts that may be visible while playing. The order of the notes on the charts reflect the focus of the half of the book from which that chart is visible. Other features:
- Complete fingering chart of the full range of notes for recorder is included.
- Alphabetical index makes it easy to locate specific songs.
- Written instruction to help self-learners and classroom teachers.
- Text boxes with explanation when presenting new notes or rhythms.
- Text boxes with tips for individuals, classrooms, or practicing more effectively.
- Text boxes with music theory.
- Text boxes with suggestions on how to play more musically.
- Photo shows how to hold the recorder.
- Text boxes with information about history, purchase, and care of the instrument.
- Each new rhythm is presented in its own section of the book.
- Rhythms are introduced and explained thoroughly with several songs featuring that rhythm to encourage understanding and mastery.
- Eighth notes are introduced after five notes have been mastered (p. 10).
- Dotted quarter with an eighth note is introduced after mastering six notes (p. 25).
- 6/8 meter follows section on dotted quarter rhythm.
- Cross-curricular suggestions and prompts for further study are noted.
- Many songs contain lyrics. Supports folk song singing and reinforces foreign language instruction.
- Historical context.
- Visual clues or text explaining unusual words in titles.
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