Beginning Band Quitters

[nafmeadmin]

So of course we are getting to the time of the year where some beginning players are starting to want to quit. I’ve been out of elementary school for awhile and am now back, and didn’t have to deal with this as much at high school (where counselors just say no, you can’t drop). The reality is if the kid wants to quit and the parent agrees, they can drop here. I have some strategies I use to try to prevent kids from quitting, but would be interested in hearing any strategies others have used that are successful. I know we can’t save them all, but I feel so defeated when any kid quits, because music is gone form their lives forever (and they will be less likely to promote their future child from being in band). I have a decent success rate with those kids, but want to get better at saving them.

What works for you?

[nafmeadmin]

In 5th grade when the student joins band-they must sign a commitment form stating that they must stay in band for the entire school year. I of course had talked to the principal before I put this in place so that I had her on board with me. When the student comes in with their parents for band night I go over this sheet with them again and explain that it won’t be easy (if it was everyone would do it) and that they will not be able to drop band. Once the school year is over if they decide then that they do not want to continue with band they can drop out. Of course I do everything I can to keep those kids from year to year! Hope this helps!

[nafmeadmin]

More band teachers should be blogging. Mr. T has a great question that I would love to hear all of the collective responses. I like having it in a commitment form as aforementioned. I start the year by telling the beginners that playing a musical instrument is the ultimate test of patience, that it will take 3 to 4 months before they can play their first song well. I like to talk about their future and show them concerts of previous bands that I have taught. They also get to see the second year band play a winter concert in early December, which helps. I do a band Olympics with the bronze level having some easy and basic things to keep them motivated to complete. Students get a bronze Tyvek wristband to wrap onto their case handle when complete. Bronze level has simple definitions, easy playing fundamentals (tonguing, finger position, etc.). I keep talking about how students should get together and have jam sessions, something I loved as a kid. When a student falls behind, their practice chart (which includes a weekly progress report) will indicate to the student and parent that the student “needs improvement”. I have a weekly mini conference with each student at the end of each lesson as I give them their practice chart. This gives me an opportunity to gives them praise and one thing they can do to improve (“make sure you keep the airstream flowing to play tenuto”.) With a student falling behind, I’ll gently ask them to try a little harder at home this week, etc. I don’t force students to practice, but they will need to because they hear how the others are getting ahead. This odd man out feeling usually pulls the slackers up and ultimately less of them quit. Having students play familiar tunes makes their lives much easier as well. I have students sing all tunes at lessons and rehearsals, giving them much more success at home, where the majority of their learning should be taking place. Mr. T is a terrific teacher and great representative of our industry as he takes personal responsibility for each student and continues to look for ways to improve. Anyone wanting examples of my version of the band Olympics or practice charts can email me at mnadeau@bandbrilliance.com

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