It is
no secret that arts programs in schools are wildly underfunded. This
is due to the fact that administrators of the school district and the
department of education, only care about money and/or high test
scores. Programs like visual art, photography, dance, theatre, music,
and culinary arts are being cut one-by-one from schools, mainly
because they don't always bring in the big bucks or provide test
scores. Although this can be true, there are many benefits to these
programs including positive brain development and growth in other
aspects of life. Underfunding and positive brain development fit
together about as well as two pieces from different puzzles. It just
doesn't make sense. I would like to touch on all of those topics
today, but I am going to focus on how instruments in particular are
important for a students growth as a musician.
"Underfunding
and positive brain development
fit
together about as well as two pieces from different puzzles. It just
doesn't make sense."
Due
to the underfunding of music programs, as I mentioned before, the
instruments that are provided for students are outdated and worn from
many years of use. The department rarely has the funding for repairs,
let alone new instruments all together. This puts the students at a
significant disadvantage. However, the programs continue to engage
and enlighten the students, despite the crappy conditions. Classroom
instruments usually consist of things like boomwhackers, a small
collection of African drums, recorders, and sometimes small
xylophones or marimbas.
 |
| Boomwhackers are plastic pipes that are tuned to a specific note on the musical scale and are frequently used in classroom settings. Photo from https://m.thomannmusic.com/boomwhackers_mg_bw_set_1_movegroove_bag.htm |
These
are typical of elementary music rooms, but can also be used in middle
school. Under a specific branch of music pedagogy called Orff, music
is taught mainly through classroom instruments and movement.
Developed in the 1920's by Cal Orff, his main goal was to teach music
through doing. Orff is completely hands on, interactive, and geared
specifically to children and the exploration of music. It encourages
kids to discover at their own pace, while also indulging in a fantasy
world. Students are never expected to perform on their own because
everything is accepted and encouraged. I say this confidently, but
these types of classrooms never have desks. Desks are restrictive and
stationary, just as the mind, and body are while sitting at one. The
room is open and usually colorful to promote and encourage movement
and exploration, all the while having fun making music.
"Desks
are restrictive and stationary,
just
as the mind, and body are while sitting at one."
The
classroom instruments are a vital role in Orff teaching because they
are the main component to the "hands on" characteristic.
Through the use of the instruments, the students are not only able to
hear the music, but also see it physically and feel it underneath
their fingers. The instruments themselves are activating three
different senses, all at once, which means that those areas of the
brain are activated as well. The brain has to be engaged and focused
for all three to work simultaneously, not to mention concentration,
breathing (if the instrument requires constant, steady air flow), and
memory (for the sake of remembering how to play, when to play, etc.)
Although
Orff is not the only method in which classroom instruments are used,
it is typically seen as the one that uses them the most, and for a
good reason. They produce a visual, sensory, and auditory response
within the child, as well as stimulates brain activity. They
allow for a direct, hands-on experience that is engaging and
encourages discovery. The instruments are a fun, but also a vital
aspect of all music programs. So yes, classroom instruments really
are that important.
Feel
free to check out this video where Anita Collins explains more about the significance of instrument use and how it is benificail to brain development! How Playing an Instrument Benifits Your Brain
Comments
Post a Comment