GuitarOrchestra

Popular educational format drawing inspiration from Abreu’s “El sistema” with the use of the reticular didactics MusicaInGioco

by MARCO CORCELLA
    School sections
    • Lower secondary school
    Educational subjects
    • Instrumental practice
    • Composition

GuitarOrchestra

The educational format “GuitarOrchestra” was developed with the aim to create a non-traditional path capable of leading students to learn how to play the guitar, enabling them - even those with disabilities or totally lacking music knowledge - to learn how to play an instrument in a short period of time and to compose something simple in an extemporary way, experiencing the beauty of playing all together. The format originated from an experience developed in the Association MusicaInGioco, an educational project inspired by Abreu’s “El Sistema”, which implements reticular didactics and shows the students how easy it is to play an instrument, learning with others and helping each other to improve in an orchestral context.

Work tools

In order to realize the project, it is necessary to have a projector connected to a PC (even an IWB), loudspeakers, a set of guitars with plectrums, 15 being an optimal number. As to space, it is necessary to have a room at least 10x8 with at least 15 chairs without arm rests. Tablets and digital tuners are also very useful. The projector is necessary to show videos that explain the beauty of playing in a group, projecting guitar ensembles and not only guitar, but it is also necessary to project simple scores created on purpose for the laboratory, with related pre-recorded accompaniment. The first difficulties connected to reading are quickly overcome owing to a body percussion activity combined with the singing of the written notes, which helps to acquire the ability to read a score quickly and easily; at the same time, owing to some useful Apps for tablets or smartphones, it is possible to acquire good manual skills, learning how to press one’s fingers correctly on the fretboard of the instrument. All this leads the students to perform simple pieces in ensemble.

Educational purposes

The skills, goals and training objectives selected by the teacher for this experience are shown below.

Competences
    Listening
    • Interpretation
    • Comprehension
    Production
    • Execution
    • Improvisation
    • Composition
    Reading and Writing
    • Use of unconventional analogic music notation
    • Use of conventional analogic music notation
GOALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETENCES [...]
    Lower secondary school
    Listening
    • Understands and evaluates events, materials, and musical works recognising their meanings, also in relation to his/her own musical experience and the different historical/sociological context.
    Production
    • Actively participating in music experiences through the execution and the interpretation of vocal and instrumental music pieces belonging to different genres and cultures.
    • Capacity to conceive and create music and multimedia messages, also though improvisation or collective elaboration processes, using also IT tools, in critical confrontation with models belonging to the musical heritage
    Reading and Writing
    • Using different notation systems functional to reading, analysis and reproduction of pieces of music
    • Integrating one’s own music experience with other knowledge and practices using appropriate codes and codification systems
Educational targets

The students:
Lived a gratifying experience of orchestra ensemble music
Learned the basics of vocal, rhythmic and instrumental music reading
Learned the initial elements of guitar and orchestra practice
Were stimulated interactively to experience collective music
Were stimulated to be creative owing to extemporaneous compositions and improvisations

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