Ben Overby
Contributing Writer
boverby2@murraystate.edu
Many Murray State music professors created a YouTube series for beginner musicians that provides thorough instructions on how to accurately play a variety of instruments. The professors have tackled teaching over eight instruments.
Eric Swisher, associate professor of music who also teaches trumpet on the YouTube channel, said a Murray State associate professor and alumnus thought of the idea.
“Our Wind Ensemble director, Dr. Trae Blanco, was speaking with one of our alumni, Anthony Darnall, who is a music educator at Christian County High School,” Swisher said. “They thought that this would be a great way to give students individual instruction during the outbreak.”
Since COVID-19 has altered the way music students are able to learn, Blanco and Darnall wanted a way to provide online lessons to middle school students who are beginning band.
With the series officially launching on Aug. 19, this series provides a safe alternative for any student to learn more about instruments such as the tuba, clarinet, flute, trombone, french horn and much more.
There are currently 11 series on the channel, ranging from vocal exercises to playing instruments to music literacy. Although the videos are for beginners, the content can be beneficial for any student to watch and brush up on basic skills.
The channel has reached up to 610 subscribers with some of the videos having thousands of views.
Assistant professor of music Amy McCann who teaches clarinet on the channel said there are plans to expand their content. Since the first round of videos are for beginners, McCann said the professors are working to make videos that go into more specific details for high school and other advanced instruments.
Transitioning to online teaching is difficult for any subject, but music education bears some uniquely challenging aspects.
“Those of us who teach individual lessons are used to getting immediate feedback from students when we are working with them,” Swisher said. “We use that feedback to alter our instruction in the moment. However, without that one-on-one instruction we have to make assumptions about the kinds of difficulties that students will encounter and anticipate those difficulties. Most students work through similar problems, but every student does so differently.”
McCann said another issue of online learning is the inability to correct mistakes. Students can develop bad habits that hinder their ability to play an instrument and the instructor isn’t there to stop them.
Despite the difficulties of online learning, there is a consensus among the professors that this program is making the best out of a bad situation. McCann said it provides necessary assistance to band instructors.
“The advantage of this particular series is that we can help students get started and assist the already overwhelmed band directors trying to scramble to keep their music programs running in a remote learning situation,” McCann said. “Ideally, music instruction of all forms works better in person, but for the health and safety of all teachers and students this fall, videos are better than nothing.”
Ashley Cumming, assistant professor who teaches french horn on the channel, has been able to find a silver lining of teaching through video.
“Students can refer back as needed, as typically only a fraction of information is retained during in-person learning sessions,” Cumming said.
Swisher said the program has gotten very positive responses from the middle school students it was designed to help.
McCann shared how one of her adult students is benefitting from the videos.
“I have a student who is learning horn for the first time as a secondary instrument in order to better prepare herself for public school teaching, and I know these resources have been very useful for her to better understand concepts and how the instruments are unique,” McCann said.
Education has been forced to become more flexible and creative as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The Murray State music department has adapted, not only to help themselves, but to teach students at different levels and assist teachers during a difficult period.
To learn more about the YouTube channel, visit here.