music education


	The Nine-Note Recorder Method and the abbreviated version, The Quick Nine-Note Recorder Method were written by a teacher for both classroom teachers, with little or no music experience, and for the music specialist. Schools, universities, and groups may request a FREE review copy. Your order of a classroom set includes:

Set of classroom fingering charts Reproducible Exercise Booklet Lesson Plans: New, slower pace with easy Winter Concert pieces with only 6 notes (Previous customers may request new lesson plan booklet, free. Supplemental music available without purchase of method for $35 with reproducing rights.) Rubric for assessing progress Worksheet to assess notes and fingerings

Recorders are traditionally played with other recorders or other consort instruments like guitar, lute, mandolin, harp, older string instruments like viola da gamba, and percussion instruments like hand drums, tambourines, claves, and finger cymbals. So piano accompaniment is not provided or encouraged.

Instead, engage students in creating their own ways of making the music more interesting. Some ideas: play a 2-measure intro on percussion; sing a verse; play in unison then as a round or duet with percussion; play a simple ostinato on xylophone; create accompaniment on auto-harp, dulcimer, or ukulele. Many of the songs in this method have lyrics for a well-rounded music instruction.

If you would like a booklet of recorder duets to correlate with your state history studies, please send me a list of 4-6 songs that are the best choices. I would be happy to create a folk song booklet for your state.

	For bulk purchases, I recommend the baroque Angel soprano recorder in a blue case from Peripole. It is an excellent recorder for the money. They also have an excellent & affordable alto. Their specialty is serving schools and music educators, so if you are ordering in bulk, PERIPOLE gets my highest recommendation.

High schools and junior high schools could consider starting a recorder ensemble for fine arts credit. The books in the Nine-Note Series will get your consort off and running.

Snippets of reviews for The Nine-Note Method from educators:

“The most outstanding feature... is the repertoire ...full of a variety of engaging tunes that children will enjoy...provides ensemble playing, frequently lacking in other methods.”
--Dr. Susan Bruenger, University of Texas

“Students tell me that they are well ahead of some other kids in middle school when it comes to reading music. The Nine-Note Recorder Method really helped them with their music reading skills.”
--Christine O'Neill, VA

“The students are thrilled with their recorder music books! They are taking their recorders home excitedly to practice....The tips are wonderful for me. Thank you so much for the way you've so thoughtfully put together your book!”
--Lisa Fenderson, CA

“I am extremely impressed. The teaching techniques, songs, and publication format are
very good.” --Dr, Baldridge, Music Professor


	MUSIC for the ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM TEACHER New item: Rounds for the Classroom, $5. This is a 40-page booklet of 20 rounds. Features simple xylophone accompaniments for children in the early elementary grades (K-4). Includes lyrics to display for literacy. Classroom teachers, do not be afraid to use your voice. Singing, even though you are not a “singer,” shows children that you don’t have to sing well in order to experience the joy of participating in music.


	Links to glockenspiels & xylophones:








			See Contents, sample pages, and hear sound files of each round.

The Nine-Note Recorder Method was chosen by Core Music for Kids as the best recorder method available. This method is now part of the Core Music for Kids curriculum. Author, Penny Gardner, wrote two additional volumes for Core Music for Kids. The program for 2nd grade features traditional songs and singing games with simple glockenspiel or xylophone accompaniments for students to play. The program for 3rd grade features rounds with glockenspiel accompaniments. (The book of rounds above was the starting point for the year-long program with its 36 lesson plans.) The 3rd grade program is expanded by Rain Rhythm Cards for rhythmic studies and activities.

teacher-written elementary music curriculum