Learning to play a musical instrument is difficult - there are so many things to learn at once. How to read notes, key signatures, time signatures, dynamics, tempos, and so many other details. It can be overwhelming, and because of that, many promising instrumental music students drop out after the first year. This class paves the way for a more successful experience. Students will learn the basic necessities of playing an instrument, without all the technicalities that can lead to failure. 

We will learn the basics of how to read notes, finger those notes on their instruments, and how to keep time. We aren't going to worry about dynamics or key signatures, or any of the other more complicated areas of playing a musical instrument. The goal in this class is to have fun, while learning the music essentials and playing a few songs together with others in the group.

And here's the REALLY unique part ... We're going to do all this on a really cool instrument called the NUVO TOOT. It's more sophisticated than a recorder, and allows for student growth during their music education journey. The NUVO TOOT is held like a flute, out to the right side of the player. But - the beginning mouthpiece is like a recorder. It's easy to blow and students get good sound immediately. As the student learns and progresses, they can switch the lip plate to one that is like a flute. (This second lip plate is included.) The NUVO TOOT also comes in a variety of colors, so students can choose the one they like best.

Week of Jan 2 - Learn about our instruments. Put them together, take them apart, clean them. Practice blowing into them. 
Week of Jan 9 - Learn to read the fingering chart. Practice a couple notes.
Week of Jan 16 - Learn to read three notes on the music staff. Practice those notes.
Week of Jan 23 -  Learn our first song and learn to read two more notes. Practice all five notes.
Week of Jan 30 - Practice our song and learn to read two more notes. Practice all seven notes.
Week of Feb 6 - Learn a new song. Practice both our songs. 
Week of Feb 13 - Learn a B flat scale. Practice both our songs.
Week of Feb 20 - Practice both our songs and the B flat scale.
Week of Feb 27 - Learn our third song. Practice the B flat scale.
Week of Mar 6 - Practice all three songs.