Rima Fand explains the Notice Describe and Ask practice as she used it to construct a “Play How You Feel” warmup for her second grade beginner violin students.
Use the same process with any prompt for improvising that interests young children.
Teaching Artist Rima Fand explains more of the what and the why of the warmup which develops musical understanding, improvisation and emotional learning.
Identify the musical choices children can explore in your activity. Prepare a vocabulary Describing Tool to help you use specific describing words reflect a wide variety of choices.
Use one of our Describing Tools or make your own with our template.
Will you project it, hang it, hold it in your hand?
– Notice: While students are playing, listen carefully to remember the sequence of choices. If a lot is going on at once, focus on the most impactful elements.
– Notice if you are having any reactions or judgments about their choices. Let go of them.
– Refocus to the areas of musical choice on the left side of the describing tool.
Use specific language from your describing tool to describe students’ choices.
– I heard three soft thigh slaps followed fast clapping
– I heard your voice getting louder and louder, and at the same time going from low down to high up
– I heard low rumbling sounds followed by a sudden loud squeaky sound.
Avoid judgm...
Give the child the opportunity to talk about their work and process in whatever way they choose; do not pressure them to speak. Use open questions; let students drive the content. Examples:
– Do you want to tell me about it?
– Tell me about the part where you (describe)
– What were you thinking about when you made those (des...