MUSC 348
WOODWIND TECHNIQUES
Catalog Entry
MUSC 348. Woodwind Techniques
Three hours laboratory (1).
Development of skills, teaching methods and materials, field experiences, and knowledge in the fundamentals of playing, teaching, and maintaining woodwind instruments: clarinet, saxophone, flute, oboe, bassoon.
Note(s): May be taken more than once for a total of 2 credit hours.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
1. Teaching behaviors (modeling, diagnosing, prescribing) for instrument assembly, embouchure formation, body-instrument relationships, hand position, fingerings, posture, breathing, tone production, and articulation for woodwind instruments.
2. Methods of tone production and intonation tendencies of woodwind instruments.
3. Micro-teaching experiences simulating the instruction of beginning to intermediate school woodwind players in class lesson situations.
4. Development of playing skills on woodwind instruments.
5. Evaluation of selected elementary method books and their suitability to woodwind instrument instruction.
6. Sources of solo and ensemble literature for woodwind instruments.
7. Brand names and characteristics of good school woodwind instruments, mouthpieces, and other accessories.
8. Minor/emergency woodwind repairs and maintenance.
9. Investigation of basic reed selection and adjustment.
10. Approaches to vibrato on each woodwind instrument.
At least 2 hours of observation/participation in public school settings is required for Music Education majors.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Class activities include reading assignments, discussion, lecture, papers, micro-teaching, individual and small group performance, individual practice, and exams.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At the conclusion of the course, the student will:
1. demonstrate or describe correct assembly techniques, embouchure formation, tone production, hand position, body posture, body-instrument relationship, and fingerings for the clarinet, saxophone, flute, oboe, and bassoon.
2. perform on specified woodwind instrument at least the level of a beginning student with one semester of instruction, which includes playing the following scales:
a. Clarinet
1) F scale---F3 to F6
2) G scale---G3 to G6
3) Chromatic scale---E3 to G6
4) Alternate fingerings
b. Saxophone
1) F scale---F4 to F6
2) G scale---G4 to G5
3) Chromatic scale---Bb3 to F6
4) Alternate fingerings
c. Flute
1) F scale---F4 to F6
2) G scale---G4 to G6
3) Chromatic scale---C3 to G6
4) Alternate fingerings
d. Oboe
1) F scale---F4 to C6
2) G scale---G4 to D6
3) Chromatic scale---Bb3 to D6
4) Alternate fingerings
e. Bassoon
1) F scale---F2 to F4
2) G scale---G2 to G4
3) Chromatic scale---Bb1 to G4
4) Alternate fingerings
3. Discuss and demonstrate the intonation tendencies of the basic woodwind instruments, transpositions for each instrument, and various mouthpieces and reeds.
4. diagnose problems and prescribe possible solutions for common errors with woodwind embouchure formation, technique, tone production, fingerings, intonation, hand position, body posture, and body-instrument relationships.
5. Perform basic/emergency woodwind repairs.
6 describe techniques for producing vibrato on each woodwind instrument.
7. demonstrate growth in teaching skills.
8. articulate the advantages and disadvantages of using selected method books for elementary woodwind instruction.
9. Students will assemble a database of wind music literature in a wide range of genres, styles, historical periods, and cultures (Western and non-Western) appropriate for use in school instrumental programs at beginning and intermediate levels.
10. Students will address state and national standards through percussion instruction.
Assessment Measures
1. Playing tests which demonstrate:
a. Tone
b. Fingerings
c. Tonguing
d. Embouchure
2. Written tests on:
a. Transposition
b. Mouthpieces and reeds
c. Basic repairs
e. Method books
Other Course Information
Approval Subsequent Reviews
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
Revised April, 2009