LFP 072 | An Eye-Opening Discovery I Make at Flute Lessons

Home » LFP 072 | An Eye-Opening Discovery I Make at Flute Lessons
LFP 072 | An Eye-Opening Discovery I Make at Flute Lessons

Learn Flute Podcast SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, you will learn all about an eye opening discovery I make while teaching flute lessons.

This is the Learn Flute Podcast Episode 072.

Yeah!  

You’ll learn:

What this podcast will be all about

  • Information on this podcast is supplemental to LearnFluteOnline.com
  • How to know if you need glasses or other eye help
  • How learning to read books is similar to learning to read music
  • Some tips to help you learn to read music
  • What you can look forward to learning from listening

Learn Flute Podcast 072

Press the Play Button to Listen Now:

Welcome to episode number seventy two! This is the Learn Flute Podcast and I’m Rebecca Fuller and today we’re going to talk about an eye-opening discovery I make while teaching flute lessons. Sound intriguing? Great. I’ll tell you all about it. Let’s get started!

Hello again it’s nice to have you here today.  The Learn Flute Podcast has been going on for seventy two episodes already!  Each week I take notes while I’m teaching and keep a running list of things that I think would be interesting to talk about with you on an audio lesson.

I get the chance to put out a lot of content out here and on the website Learn Flute Online dot com. It’s a perfect safe place for you all to come and learn how to play the flute in an easy to understand, sequential order. Success is yours for the taking. Let’s get started on a new subject today- which is definitely (like I said) eye-opening Haha.

This week I was reminded of something as I was teaching here in the studio. This happens at least a couple of times per year for me as a teacher, and I think you’ll find it interesting. Since you are an online learner, you’ll want to listen closely so you can be both the student and the teacher.

I have students of all ages here in my studio, and online as well. I get the privilege of watching many people learn to play and also to read music. Now the one thing I enjoy the most is really diving into what it’ll take to help someone identify what will help take them to the next level, and when they seem to struggle in one capacity or another I spring into action to point it out to them. It feels good. Now today I’d like to shed a little more light on something that stops people from doing well at reading the music on the page.

Many learners – especially if they aren’t a six year old any more have forgotten the process that it took to learn to read words fluently. How long has it been since you yourself were a first grader? Or, how long has it been since you helped a first grader get over that hump of taking the individual letters from separate sounds into words with actual meaning? 

I remember sitting for hours and hours week after week with my own children to make sure they became fluent readers. I knew as a parent that this is what spring-boards them into higher fluency on all levels of education. I was patient, kind, and entertaining during this process.

I don’t think learning how to read music is any different than this. Nope- think about it; do you think it takes any less effort. And, if you remember- first grade lasted a whole year, and then was followed by second grade and third etc. which was much of the same thing but on a slightly higher level. Repetition is the key in learning to read. And, music is the same.

I’m actually going to again open your eyes here to something I’d love to take a little space of thought today for you because I’ve worked with so many who didn’t know why reading was a bit of a struggle for them. The letters on a page are kind of squiggly in the alphabet letters and individually shaped, so we get accustomed to quickly recognizing them.

I think seeing music on a staff line is a bit different. The staff stays the same- five lines moving perfectly parallel across the page with little black dots being only a millimeter apart in distance or less. They are all the same shape, and only the bottom of the stems of the notes are different… so, what I’m getting at here is that it’s a bit more challenging. Those little black dots are all the same looking. Especially if you have a bit of an eye problem. Most people would not know they need to see an eye doctor until someone else points it out for them.

I get the privilege of pointing it out often for my students. And, one hundred percent of the time I’m right.

Those dots appear to bounce around on the staff line and just make it so hard to concentrate. It really is difficult to read music if you have one fuzzy eye and one clear – or even if both are out of focus.

So, I pride myself on helping students through life by getting them to the eye doctor to get the correct prescription for seeing. It’s just one of those things.

Now, if you think that youngsters are the only ones who face this issue, then sorry you’re wrong because more adults have eye issues than younger children do for sure. In my experience with reading music anyway.

What I’d like everyone within the reach of this audio podcast to think about is- can I always ready the sheet music (no matter the size and distance) without hesitation? If I am hesitating on notes consistently, is it because I need more rote practice? Repetition? Or is it possibly because my eyes cannot focus on the position of the little black dots quickly enough? Or is there a combination of both going on?

It’s important to think about and know. Definitely important for your development and ease of learning for sure.

Did you know there is also braille music for the visually impaired? When glasses aren’t even going to help, there is another way to help you have a ‘visual’ of what is going on in the world of sound. Kind of cool? I think so. You should google an image of braille music. It’s fascinating for sure!

What challenges have you found in learning to read music? Any? Did you ever consider glasses or getting your eyes checked?

I’ve noticed when people have either a concentration or a visual issue, then tend to get really, really close to the stand. And, I mean ‘really close’. I try to joke with my students about the music stand having a need for ‘personal space’ haha. They kind of get it then. Not only does it help you keep your posture correct which helps a lot of technique and sound for flute playing, but it helps in reading the music as well.

If you cannot comfortably read the music from about 3 feet away, then you may want to consider getting your eyes checked.

Well… enough of that for now!

It’s been another fabulous day for Learn Flute Online. Thanks for being here. I hope that we’ll be able to see you inside the member’s area soon where you can take a lesson, learn, and enjoy! There are hundreds of flute lesson modules set in perfect learning order just waiting for you to come and partake.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to email me from the contact page on Learn Flute Online dot com. You will find that up in the menu bar. I’m always on the other end cheering you on.

Until next time- I’m Rebecca Fuller signing off. Reminding you that Learn Flute Online helps you quickly learn how to play the flute easily and beautifully.
Bye now!

 

Thank you for Tuning In!

Please consider subscribing and taking a minute to leave a review and rating for the podcast on iTunes.

I hope you’ve also had an eye-opening discovery while you enjoyed learning all about the flute! Join us for the next episode.

Have any questions? Comment below and I will help you out.

Rebecca FullerRebecca Fuller
Get Flutie with us! Learn and enjoy every musical minute.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top
Step 1 of 3

Choose which best describes your flute level:

Step 2 of 3

Where should I send your lesson info?

*Step 2 of 3

Where should I send your lesson info?