The Basics Of Recorder Karate

Usually, the first musical instrument encountered by most music students at a beginner's level is, the recorder. It belongs to the woodwind class of instruments and is relatively easy to learn if dedicated practice is adhered to. One dynamic and fun way of learning it is, recorder karate, an innovative method being implemented in the classroom, based on motivational incentives.

Much like the discipline of karate, students are expected to behave in an orderly and respectful way. Learners bow to their teachers as well as to each other before class and at the end of each lesson. They also sit cross-legged and observe silence, not playing until instructed to do so. They should arrive at the lesson with all the necessary items and enter the classroom in an orderly and disciplined manner.

Students are also graded by coloured belts in the following sequence: white, yellow, orange, green, purple, blue, red, brown and lastly, black. With each level progressed, students earn the next ranked colour belt. To make the experience even more exciting, some teachers add trinkets or special charms to the belts for good behaviour or extra effort.

Each coloured belt is achieved by successfully playing the allocated song for that particular level. As the songs increase in musical difficulty, so the colours progress up their rankings. To earn a white belt, learners must play, "Hot Cross Buns", which incorporates the notes, B, A and G. To achieve a black belt, they must play, Beethoven's, "Ode To Joy", which includes notes, D, E, F#, G, A, B, and C.

Through the implementation of this method, some teachers have noticed definite advantages. Learners who usually lack enthusiasm, are more eager to participate in class. Some teachers have even encountered students practicing and assisting each other in their lunch breaks, Also, children become more open-minded to receiving instruction and are more willing to learn.

Some teachers are in disagreement with the competitiveness that it encourages. To the contrary, some claim that it in fact encourages a higher standard of work and participation in class. Another con is that some learners may struggle and become disheartened at not being able to keep up with the set pace.

In order to suit the needs and make-up of each individual music class, many teachers adapt the methods. Some allocate entire lessons to learning and practicing new songs while others spend a maximum of thirty minutes on it. Others have introduced gold and silver belts to follow black, with their own individual songs to accompany them.

Instructional guides on how to implement recorder karate in music lessons are available both in hard-copy form as well as online. These can be used in class and most are reproducible if the entire kit is purchased, so learners do not necessarily have to have their own copies. These books contain worksheets constructed to aid with the practice and understanding of musical scales and lessons. As with every teaching method, there are noticeable pros and cons, and teachers differ in their opinions of it. Most however, have emerged as avid fans of it, claiming that it is effective and extremely useful for fun-filled and engaging learning.

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