Methodology and Didactical Structure

Recorder Magic is presented as an open lesson design in order to accommodate the needs of each group of students.

However, there do exist certain methodical patterns for each lesson and an implied didactical structure for the overall succession of lessons.

Methodical patterns:

• mixture of repetition and new material
• emphasis on ONE area of learning, but preferably integration of others
• application of  “rituals” (hello song, magic formula, goodbye song etc.)
• integration of free games (breath control, notation etc.), but primarily learning with the instrument
• changing positions within the room and thus changing forms of concentration
• recorder “language” as the essential means to differentiate articulation
• hand puppet “Tiddelydoo” as central character

Didactical Structure:

• introduction “Tiddelydoo” (magic melody, goodbye song)
• exploration of the recorder and first experiments
• the first fingered note: b
• left hand/ right hand
• tongue (“Tonga“)
• improvisation (“ghost hour” etc.), experimental playing techniques
• breath control
• a’
• rhythms
• g’
• finger coordination and dexterity
• e’
• combination g’ – e’
• c’’
• combination c’’ – a’
• pitch recognition
• combination of familiar notes in legato melodies
• articulation
• melodic memory
• d’’
• d’