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Subject: Re: [MK8]Parent request - song for church

From: Jean Mattoon

Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 10:34:17 -0400

Recorder is not the way I would go...

What have you got in the way of pre-tuned instruments like the
autoharp? Or do you have any tuned percussion? Handchimes? Barred
instruments?

I would teach him a pentatonic song or smaller... like with three
pitches, like the spiritual "Over My Head, I Hear Music in the Air)".
Then I would have him play the melody for the beginning and end
sections, with a little improvised solo in the middle section, while I
play as gorgeous a piano accompaniment as I could muster.

Handchimes turned upside down on a padded table make a really
"soothing" sound struck with a felt mallet.

How old is the student?

Jean in MA

On May 19, 2010, at 9:51 AM, Tina Morgan wrote:

> A lady who goes to my church told me a couple of months ago that she
> tutors
> one of my students. He actually was my student for only a couple of
> weeks
> then had to start going to a program called TuneIn to Reading, where
> all
> students who were not reading on grade level had to go 2nd semester
> instead
> of going to special subjects.
>
> His mom stopped by yesterday. She wants him to learn a song to play
> at a
> program at church in November. She doesn't want him to sing or
> recite a
> poem, suggestions by the drama teacher & the general music teacher,
> because
> that's what "everyone" does. No, she wants him to learn to play a
> song on
> an instrument, "You know, something nice & soothing, maybe 2-3
> minutes.
> Maybe he could learn to play something on the violin." She also
> wants him
> to sound "professional."
>
> Ai yi yi. First of all, it doesn't appear she's interested in
> having him
> enroll in any sort of private lessons nor is she interested in
> actually
> buying an instrument for him to have to practice at home.
>
> The only thing I can think of is that MAYBE he could learn to play
> something
> on the recorder. I'd be willing to try to work with him this summer
> - am
> going to contact his tutor & see if we can arrange something.
>
> So... do any of you have any suggestions on something he can play
> that's
> nice & soothing, 2-3 minutes in length, and will sound
> professional? :)
> --
> Tina Morgan
> Beginner Violin Instructor
> Mississippi