Brass Class I (235-0-1)

Instructors

Patrick William Horton

Meeting Info

RCMA Lower Level 111: Tues, Thurs 6:00PM - 6:50PM

Overview of class

This course introduces students to the performance techniques, pedagogical approaches, and content knowledge essential for teaching brass instruments. Through hands-on laboratory experiences and peer teaching, students will develop foundational performance skills on multiple brass instruments and explore effective strategies for teaching beginners. By the end of the course, students will be able to model and teach basic brass techniques, apply pedagogical principles in classroom and individual settings, and critically reflect on performances and teaching to support continued growth.

Registration Requirements

There are no registration requirements for this course.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Course Goal 1 - Performance Skills: Demonstrate foundational performance skills on multiple brass instruments.
• CG1.LO1 Tone Production: Demonstrate characteristic tone production at the beginner level on multiple brass instruments.
• CG1.LO2 Basic Articulation: Demonstrate basic articulation technique on multiple brass instruments.
• CG1.LO3 Aural Skills: Perform on multiple brass instruments without the aid of Western standard music notation (e.g., improvised patterns, repertoire learned by ear, or call and response activities).
• CG1.LO4 Etudes and Exercises: Perform introductory exercises and etudes with beginner-level accuracy on multiple brass instruments using Western standard music notation.
Course Goal 2 - Content Knowledge: Develop a foundational knowledge of brass instrument mechanics and performance practices.
• CG2.LO1 Instrument Mechanics: Explain the basic acoustics and fundamentals of tone production for brass instruments.
• CG2.LO2 Instrument Fingerings: Identify fingerings and concert pitch for the beginner range of each brass instrument.
• CG2.LO3 Equipment: Identify recommended equipment for beginning brass musicians.
• CG2.LO4 Maintenance: Describe basic maintenance for brass instruments.
• CG2.LO5 Brass Traditions: Compare a variety of brass performance traditions.
Course Goal 3 - Pedagogical Skills: Develop foundational skills and strategies for teaching beginner brass musicians.
• CG3.LO1 Learning Sequence: Implement skill-building exercises and learning sequences appropriate for beginning brass musicians.
• CG3.LO2 Diagnostic Skills: Identify common beginning brass performance issues.
• CG3.LO3 Remediation Strategies: Select practice strategies that support the remediation of common beginner brass performance issues.
• CG3.LO4 Feedback: Provide constructive feedback, including suggestions for improvement, to beginning brass musicians.
• CG3.LO5 Instructional Materials: Evaluate how selected repertoire or instructional materials supports the developmental needs of beginning brass musicians.
Course Goal 4 - Reflective Practice: Examine performances and teaching episodes to determine successes and areas for improvement.
• CG4.LO1 Performance Reflection: Reflect critically on one's own and peers' musical performances to support continued artistic growth.
• CG4.LO2 Teaching Reflection: Reflect critically on one's own and peers' teaching episodes to support continued pedagogical growth.

Teaching Method

This course will include direct instruction, instructor modeling, and lab-based student practice. This course uses a flipped classroom approach so that class meetings can focus on applying technical and pedagogical skills. Students will be expected to transport the university-provided instruments to and from each class, play with classmates during each class, lead selected exercises, and provide constructive feedback to peers.

Evaluation Method

Students will be evaluated through video-recorded performance assessments on multiple brass instruments, self-reflections, teaching episodes, in-class quizzes, professionalism, and an oral exam.

Class Materials (Required)

• Weidner, B. (2023). Brass Techniques and Pedagogy (2nd Ed.). PALNI Press. https://pressbooks.palni.org/brasstechniquesandpedagogy/
• Brass instruments (provided by Northwestern University)

Class Materials (Suggested)

• Valve oil (Al Cass recommended)
• Trombone slide cream (Superslick recommended)