Teaching Recorder B-flat Note: An Overview in Primary School

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

2017, Vol. 7, No. 4

ISSN: 2222-6990

975

www.hrmars.com

Teaching Recorder B-flat Note: An Overview in Primary

School Music Standard Curriculum

Asri Che Mat

Faculty of Music and Performing Arts, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak Darul Ridzuan

Email: [email protected]

DOI: 10.6007/IJARBSS/v7-i4/2906 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v7-i4/2906

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, there is a need to explore the knowledge and skills among primary school Music

Education Teachers to teach playing recorder in B-flat note. According to the National

Education Philosophy and the Primary School Standard Curriculum, education is embodied to

produce students that can play music instrument. Three experienced teachers who teach

Music Education for Stage 2 will be selected as the subject of this study. The aim of this study is

to identify the activities and skills among experienced music teachers of selected primary

schools on how they teach playing B-flat note recorder in Tambun, Ipoh. Researcher also wants

to explore the activities performed by the teachers in the classroom to improve playing

recorder among students. The findings are based on observations, interviews and document

analysis. This study can help in improving the quality of teaching and provide a guide for the

teachers in designing activities and teaching strategies on how to play recorder especially B-flat

note.

Keywords: Teaching, Primary School, Music, Recorder, B-Flat Note.

1.1 Introduction

Primary School Music Education Syllabus provide students the opportunity to learn how to play

recorder beginning at standard four (Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia: 2010).In primary

school standard curricular, recorder is used to give real experience for the students to play

music instrument practically as part of their music activities during music lesson. At the same

time it also can help them to understand music theory, notation and musical language (Prem,

2013). According Nor Sohaila (2015), proper posture will help students to play recorder

comfortably. Students have to sit or stand upright and hold recorder 45 degrees from the their

body. Left hand finger is placed at the holes in the base and right hand fingers at the holes in

the end of the recorder. Balanced recorder is when a recorder is placed at the lower lip and the

thumb of the right hand. The lowers note that can be played through recorder is down C note

and it is able to play more than two octaves pic (American Recorder Society, 2017). A part of

recorder fingering is shown in the figure below.

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

2017, Vol. 7, No. 4

ISSN: 2222-6990

976

www.hrmars.com

1.2 Problem Statement

Base on early survey, it was found that the teachers have a problem to teach students how to

play recorder fingering B-flat note correctly. This is because teachers are lack of materials and

experience to solve the problem. According to the report of Practicum Music Education 2016,

students have a problem to play B-flat note using recorder. This is because the fingering for this

note is more difficult and differs compare to another notes. This causes teachers facing

difficulties to teach students how to play the songs which have B-flat note (Mubin, 2016)

Recorder B-flat note fingering shown in the figure below.

Most of the children's songs seldom used D minor or F Major scale, which contains B-flat

note. Most of the songs usually are using C Major or A minor scale which is using B note

(Newman, 2006). Teachers also have a problem to teach left-handed students to play recorder.

Students need special teaching sessions and teachers also need special methods to teach them

how to play recorder compared to other friends who are right-handed (Griggs: 2015).

Meanwhile, Sloboda (2009) states that limited time makes it difficult for teachers to achieve

teaching objectives.

In study done by Kamariah (2015) found that students showed great interest and always

focused on learning how play recorder. However, students failed to play recorder in the right

way. For example, if they play new songs, they will play it in the same way. At the end of the

lesson, the students failed to play recorder in the right way. As a result, this situation shows

that they are not mastering the recorder fingering skil yet. To overcome this problem, Blood

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

2017, Vol. 7, No. 4

ISSN: 2222-6990

977

www.hrmars.com

(2014) suggested that teachers guide the students to play recorder using B note and B-flat note

alternately from a slow to a faster tempo.

Literature Reviews

2.1 Importance of Music Education

Music education is a compulsory subject in Primary School Standard Curriculum (KSSR).

Activities include singing, singing and percussion, singing and movement, notation and playing

recorder (Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, 2010). Music is the language of the nation.

Through music people can unite, creating happy, sad or excitement. Music can make a person

become more creative and happy (Negrin, 2012). Laura (2013) stated that music education is

not only aimed to make students as an expert in music such as singing, playing a musical

instrument and composing but also improve language skills, improve intelligence, makes your

mind work harder and give the students an opportunity to socialize.

2.2 Recorder

Recorder is first known in the 16th century and getting more popular in 17th and 18th century.

It is called as Inggeris Flute. Famous composers such as Bach, Telemann and Handel produced

great composition using recorder. However, this instrument has been slowly forgotten in 19th

and 20th century (Phypers, 2016). Soprano recorder commonly played in school. It is small and

suitable for children. There are two types of fingering system known as German system and

English or Baroque system. Most schools start teaching recorder when pupils are ten years old

(Dubble, 2013). Mardaud (2014) stated that the recorder is not easily damaged, do not require

intensive care, cheap and easy to carry. Recorder can play various notes and a chromatic scale.

This instrument does not require high skills to play compared with other blowing instruments

such as the clarinet, trumpet, trombone and tuba. Recorder is not only favored by children, but

also by secondary school students, high school students and adults (Sri Hartuti, 2015).

2.3 Method of Teaching Recorder

To help teachers guide their students to play better in recorder B-flat note fingering, Kamariah

(2015) used two methods of teaching. The two methods are drilling and mastery learning. She

also provides some exercise that are suitable for her students.

To help left-handed students play recorder with the right hand as the other students do,

Griggs (2015) proposed five methods or techniques of training activities that can be use. The

five methods or techniques are:

a) Practicing patience to become a proficient,

b) Training fingering and playing recorder every day.

c) Play a in slow tempo.

d) Play a song that they are used to hear.

e) Using a structured set of exercises recommended by the expert.

Meanwhile, Pitts (2016) suggested the teachers to use same type, quality and brand of

the recorder for every pupil to avoid any disproportionate tuning. Allocate about 20 to 30

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

2017, Vol. 7, No. 4

ISSN: 2222-6990

978

www.hrmars.com

minutes per lesson. To start the session, students are allowed to write alphabet with a pencil on

the notation, but this method is not highly recommended. Teacher can guide students to play

easy songs like 'Mary Had A Little Lamp' and 'Little Fly' because it use only three notes.

Recorder not a decadent musical instrument. It is can be a good presentation if it is composed

properly (Shannon, 2004).

Methodology

The study will be conducted qualitatively. Researcher will use interviews, observation, and

document analysis as the methods to obtain the data. Three level 2 music teachers from three

primary schools will be selected as the samples.

Conclusion

It is hoped that the study which is going to be conducted will help the Music Teacher in

designing methods of teaching playing recorder B-flat note in the future.

References

American Recorder Society. (2017). Recoder Fingering Charts. Retrieved April 7, 2017, from

http://www.prescottworkshop.com/bar_finger_c.pdf

Blood, B. (2014). Recorder method online. Retrieved April 10, 2017, from

http://www.dolmetsch.com/dlesson9.htm

Dubble, M. (2013). The first recorder book (2nd ed.). La Noue Davenport: Magnamusic Editions.

Griggs, j. (2015). 5 Ways to improve your left hand. Retrieved April 7, 2017, from

http://www.hearandplay.com/main/5-ways-to-improve-your-left-hand

Kamariah Abu Mansur. (2015). Meningkatkan kemahiran permainan rekoder soprano pelajar

tahun 4 melaui kaedah pembelajaran masteri. Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjung

Malim.

Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. (2010). Draf kurikulum standard sekolah rendah (KSSR),

pendidikan muzik tahun 4. Putrajaya: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

Laura, L. B. (2013). The benefits of music education. Retrieved April 10, 2017, from

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-benefits-of-music-education/

Mardaud Class. (2014). Kenapa memililih memainkan recorder. Retrieved April 7, 2017, from

http://belajar-recorder.blogspot.my/2014/11/kenapa-memilih-memainkan-recorder.html

Mubin Md. Nor. (2016). Laporan Praktikum Pendidikan Muzik. Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus

Ipoh.

Negrin, D. (2012). The importance of music in your life. Retrieved April 10, 2017, from

http://www.pianoaround.com/the-importance-of-music-in-your-life/

Newman L. E. (2006). The recorder fun book for young students. Califonia: Pacific Palisades.

Nor Sohaila Abdul Hamid. (2015). Teknik bermain rekoder. Retrieved April 6, 2017, from

http://sohailahakim.blogspot.my/2011/12/teknik-bermain-rekoder.html

Phypers, J. (2016). The amizing recorder. Retrieved August 4, 2017, from

http://www.solarhaven.org/recorder.htm

Pitts, J. (2016). Top tips for starting a beginner recorder group. Retrieved April 9, 2017, from

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

2017, Vol. 7, No. 4

ISSN: 2222-6990

979

www.hrmars.com

http://www.musicroom.com/blog/top-tips-for-starting-a-beginner-recorder-group-john-

pitts

Prem Ramz. (2013). Rekoder. Retrieved April 6, 2017, from

http://premlata84.blogspot.my/2012/12/rekorder.html

Shannon, G. (2004). New Music For Recorder. Retrieved April 9, 2017, from

https://www.americanrecorder.org/new_music_for_recorder.php

Sloboda, J. (2009). Patriotism and nationalism in music education: A rewiew essay. Farnham.

UK: Ashgate.

Sri Hartuti. (2015). Peningkatakan minat belajar rekorder sopran dengan metode PAIKEM

pembelajaran seni musikdi SMP. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran, 4.