I taught myself to play the pentatonic flute several years ago, knowing that I wanted some experience before I taught J and L. I can read music, so I just taught myself using the fingering chart that came with the Choroi, and then I played music mostly from the Elisabeth Lebret book. I thought that it would come easily when I was ready to teach Jack at the start of first grade, but when the time came I just wasn't sure where to start. I looked at several books at the Steiner library, but couldn't find anything that great. I ordered Playing and Teaching the Pentatonic Flute and Pentatonic Recorder by David Darcy and I ended up being very pleased with it. It comes with a CD with all the music which I think would be very helpful if you were just learning how to play yourself.
It starts with a good introduction on why to start with the pentatonic flute, its limitations/strengths and how to introduce it. It also includes a story to go with giving the flute, but I better the one I shared yesterday. Next is a section for the adult to teach him/herself. Then comes the real meat of the book - pentatonic songs Darcy has written himself listed in the order in which he taught them to his class. One downfall of this book is that he doesn't write out clearly "how" to teach these songs to your child/children. However, we used simple imitation, sitting at chairs across from each other, and it worked out really well. The first song involves just the left thumb! And the next the left thumb and left index finger. The songs increase in complexity in a really manageable way.
Jack really liked the songs, and was proud of his ability to learn them. By the end of second grade he knew approximately 15 songs by heart and could play them quite well. Lucy is only on day 2, so if Jack's experience is a guide will be working on controlling her breathing while trying to coordinate her fingers at the same time. Watching her learn I'm reminded that one of the main reasons to start with a wind instrument is that it is so helpful in moving towards a very regulated breathing cycle.
The book ends with a retelling of "Masha and the Bear" with several songs to learn interspersed. I think we may turn this into a play this year.
If I get really brave, maybe I'll have Jack video me teaching Lu one day next week.
