Picture
I am taking a music education class as part of my major (elementary education). The course is required, and that is the only reason why I am taking it right now.  To understand my frustration with the course, first you must understand a few things about my musical background.  

I have played the clarinet for about 9 years now.  I began in the fifth grade. Of course, in the fifth grade, I wasn't very good.  I was just learning about notes, reading music, etc.  However, as the years moved on, I became quite good at playing the clarinet.  By my senior year of high school, I was first chair clarinetist, section leader, and even a drum major in marching band.

So, it's pretty obvious to say that I understand how to read music and musical concepts.  Now onto why I am so frustrated with this music course I am being forced to take.  First off, this class is designed just for elementary and early childhood education majors.  So, the class MUST be simple for the students who do not have a musical background. . . students who have no idea what a note is, let alone read music.  I understand that. I'm okay with that.  

What I am kind of irked about is the fact that despite how old we are, the teacher insists on talking and teaching to us like we are 5 years old. Granted it is nice to have an easy course this semester, but it's so extremely easy, that it is annoying.  There should be some way for me to test out of this class.  I have learned 2 new things in this class . . . just 2, and it is almost half way through the semester!  I learned the terms "ostinato" and "timbre."  That's it.

Anyway, tomorrow I have to go into my professors office and take a recorder quiz.  -- Does everyone remember having to play the recorder in the 4th grade?  Well, that is what we spend the majority of our time doing in this class. --  So, tomorrow I will head over to the music building and play the recorder for my professor for 3 minutes.  We are supposed to practice the songs we are performing.  That just makes me laugh.  Considering the crazy amounts of time we spent playing our songs over and over again in class, even the most musically-retarded student in the class could perform their quiz easily.  

Well, those were my frustrations regarding my music class for dummies.  I could go on and on about other things in this course that drive me bonkers, but I will spare you. :)




Leave a Reply.