Pre-Instrumental Learning Approach

More info on the theroetical ideas behind the ABC approach here

ABC's Pre-Instrumental learning approach supports students to have fun and learn by CREATING and then PRACTISING & PERFORMING.

Develops:

  • GENERAL MUSICIANSHIP .
  • RHYTHM SKILLS
  • UNDERSTANDING OF BEATS & BARS
  • CREATES LOTS OF FUN & ENGAGEMENT
  • CAN BRING INSTRUMENTAL LEARNING INTO THE CLASSROOM.
  • NOTATION SKILLS - READING AND WRITING
  • PROGRESSIVE PATHWAY INCREASING PERFORMANCE SKILL LEVELS

 

THE BIG PICTURE in 3 minutes!

 

 

feedback on abc pre-instrumental approach

"I recently had the good fortune to be asked to deliver an eight-week pilot of the ABC Creative Music course to P5 classes in the Western Isles.   A large part of the course is delivered using a software programme ideally from a whiteboard.  The software proved invaluable and simple to use, not only illuminating the concepts I was delivering, but also making them easier to explain and fun to participate in.  The course also utilised creativity and role play to engage pupils in real musical activity and as a result students learned from doing rather than just listening.  Perhaps the most impressive technique was using shapes to introduce rhythm.  The effectiveness of this method led to an entire P5 class correctly notating a series of random rhythms clapped by myself from the front of the class and being able to read and play a piece for chime bars from a musical score.  The results, even after just 8 weeks were quite amazing and, the kids, class teacher and I loved it!!!!!" Gavin Woods Instrumental Instructor Western Isles

"I had the opportunity to be part of an ABC Music pilot in the Western Isles for Primary 5 pupils. I am a native Gaelic speaker and elected to deliver the programme in Gaelic to a Gaelic medium class and as the programme is designed to celebrate language and rhythm, the class and I had great fun and success going through the lessons in Gaelic.
The excitement and focus in the room was palpable with lessons designed in such a way to encourage even the most shy to suggest a role for themselves within the group exercises. The learning, whilst having a fun approach, really progressed the pupils very quickly in terms of understanding beats, bars, rhythm.
The real magic was the approach to composition and enabling the pupils to embrace this from the very beginning and to not be frightened of trying out new things. They loved presenting their own musical ideas to the class, making each session very exciting and giving the pupils a real sense of creativity and achievement.
From the get go, the pupils are encouraged to compose which they found very exciting and liberating, instilling in them the fundamentals that trying and practicing is not ‘ getting it wrong’!  Each lesson spurred them on to listen to each other, develop discipline and to get better each time they played and performed. The ABC Music programme is a fun, fast track way to learn the foundations of music where the pupils are learning, creating and participating in the absolute joy of music making." Anna Murray Instrumental Instructor Western Isles

 

COMPOSE WITH SHAPES & RHYTHM

1) Children compose rhythms with SHAPE NOTATION

2)  HEAR their compositions - on a range of cool sounds with fun & funky backing grooves.

3) SAVE and SHARE their compositions.

4) PERFORM compositions in class with your group.

Teachers have the option to use Shape Notation to teach Standard Music Notation using downloadable WORKBOOKS.

Compositions can be performed using:

  • Voice
  • Body Percussion
  • ChromeBooks/Laptops
  • Untuned Percussion
  • Tablets at school - if available.
  • Devices at Home using Free ABC Android/iOS App

WATCH VIDEO 2

TRY IT OUT FOR YOURSELF ON THE LIVE INTERACTIVE BELOW!

COMPOSE WITH PITCH

Then students can move on to composing with Pitch.

1) Compose rhythms with SHAPE NOTATION then ADD PITCH!

2)  Hear their  PITCH composition and chose playback sounds and backing groove.

3) SAVE and SHARE compositions.

4) PRACTISE learning to play composition by playing it on one key on a computer keyboard.

5) Then move through a series of progressive options increasing  performing skills to approach the skill needed to play on chime bars.

Compositions can be performed using:

  • Voice - including lyrics
  • ChromeBooks/Laptops
  • Tuned Percussion
  • Instruments class members are learning
  • Tablets at school - if available.
  • Devices at Home using Free ABC Android/iOS App

WATCH VIDEO 3

TRY IT OUT FOR YOURSELF ON THE LIVE INTERACTIVE BELOW!

Explore the RHYTHM/Pitch Composer

 

NB This interactive NOW has a SHAPE to STAVE button in Step 3 so you change the shape pitch composition into Standard Notation.