What is Beginning Instrumental Music?

Beginning Instrumental Music is the first exposure in an educational setting to westernized instruments that student receive. Some of these instruments may include but are not limited to, recorders, drums, boom whackers, some simple percussion accessories like shakers and caterpillars, xylophones, glockenspiels, piano, and body percussion. The purpose of having beginning instrumental music is to allow student to begin exploring the instrumental world. Some of the goals should include basic aural skills such as call and response, how to play instruments, ability to read a treble and bass clef, basic rhythms and notes (spanning from whole notes to 16th notes), major scales, and 2/4 3/4 4/4 time signatures. Some fun activities should include drum circles, recorder, sight reading, singing from aural examples and music, and performances to receive appreciation for their hard work!! These classes should prepare students to start in an orchestra, band, choir, or non-traditional ensemble setting. One example of a non-traditional ensemble setting would be a bucket drum ensemble. These skills should transfer and allow for more complex skills to develop if they choose to continue to music in a formal class setting. As a beginning instrumental teacher, I should prepare myself by planning for; wide and differing ability levels, multiple ways of teaching (color spots/plain sheet music/aural/by example), and honest feedback from students.