Description
Book SynopsisWritten for music educators from K - 5 onwards, First Instruments is a practical guide to teaching musical ideas through the first instruments we develop in early childhood, laying the foundation for how the collective creativity the book presents can sustain a lifelong commitment to music-making: voice and hand gestures.
Trade ReviewBannan steps forward here with the first modern, comprehensive, and practical guide to the art, science, and history of music as an essentially vocal art. This is a mine of knowhow that will serve generations of young musicians, and the composers, performers, and researchers responsible for leading them from instinct to expertise. * Jonathan Dunsby, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester *
Community and creativity lie at the heart of human musicality. In this new book, Bannan delivers an excellent guide for anyone interested in exploring the power of gesture to educate and develop diverse musical skills in young and old. * Alan R. Harvey, Emeritus Professor, The University of Western Australia, and author of Music, Evolution, and the Harmony of Souls *
No, that's not a misprint! Harmonic signing is a brilliant and original method for teaching singing and musicianship, based on our ancient, universal nature as human vocalizers and responders. From simple games and tasks to mastering Flamenco or the Phrygian mode, Bannan's rich, well-thought-out pedagogy avoids language and notation yet develops instinctive musicianship and expressivity through gesture and collective interaction. * Ellen Dissanayake, Affiliate Professor, School of Music, University of Washington, Seattle *
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgements About the Companion Website Introduction Part 1: Why Singing? Chapter 1 Musical foundations Chapter 2 The anatomy of human music-making Chapter 3 The instinctive and the learned Chapter 4 Music as 'the missing link': a distinct form of thinking and feeling Chapter 5 The aural feedback loop and inner hearing Chapter 6 The four elements of vocal learning Chapter 7 Lifelong participation and transmission Part 2: Why Signing? Chapter 8 Representation and Communication Chapter 9 The two hemispheres of the brain Part 3: Patterns of Leadership and Interaction Chapter 11 Collective Creativity Chapter 12 Signs about signs: the notation of Harmony Signing Chapter 13 Working on Your Own Chapter 14 Working in Pairs Chapter 15 Working in Groups Chapter 16 Working with instrumental classes and bands Chapter 17 Working with vocal classes and choirs Part 4: Building creatively on Harmony Signing Chapter 18 What Are Students Expressing Musically? Appendices Bibliography Index
