Twelve Steps to Using Music Teaching Tapes

The success of this process is contingent upon the effective listening skills of the learner � much more than upon her musical background or ability to read music. Any of the steps may be repeated, but remember � each step is important to the overall success of learning all the right notes, words and timing of the new song. Do not eliminate any steps because they may appear insignificant to you.

1. Listen to the music on the master tape while you close your eyes. This will familiarize you with the notes and timing and the general flavour of the song.
2. Watch the notes on your music while you listen to the tape. Do not sing yet!
3. Again, watch the notes on your music while you listen to the tape. Do not sing yet!
4. Watch the words on your music while you listen to the tape. Please, no singing yet!
5. On a separate sheet of paper, write down all the lyrics to the new song. Now watch your own paper while you listen to the tape. No, not yet, don�t sing please!
6. Watch the notes while you listen to the tape. Remember, no singing!
7. Watch the words on your music while you listen to the tape. Be careful, not a sound!
8. Try to write down all the words again on another sheet of paper without looking at the printed music. If you have trouble, listen to the tape again. Watch the words and then try writing them again without looking. Stay on this step until you can write down all the right words without looking back at the printed music. Now proceed to step 9.
9. Hurray! You can finally add your voice. Watch the notes on your music while you hum along with the tape. Hum�hum! Singing is next!
10. Watch the words on your music while you sing along with the tape. Can you believe this? You�re really going to sing this song for the very first time! If you have any difficulty, circle the spot on your music as you go all the way through. Then go back and listen (don�t sing) to those parts again. Happy singing!
11. Put a clean practice tape in your tape recorder. On this tape, record as you sing the new part all the way through without looking at your music. I'll bet you can hardly wait to hear this step!
12. VERY IMPORTANT STEP, YOU�RE ABOUT TO GRADUATE Watch your music as you listen to your own tape to see if you sang the notes correctly. You should be wonderful. But, should you have any doubt, go back and check your part on the master tape. Concentrate on listening to the parts you circled earlier to be sure you have made the corrections.

CONGRATULATIONS! With a little bit of luck plus all your hard work, you are now the proud possessor of one more selection of music made beautiful by your addition of�all the correct notes, words and timing!

Editorial Note: I received this material as part of a barbershop training course I was on some years ago. I found it interesting that this tape learning process is a natural fit with the quartet teaching strategy that is used by Sing Niagara. In addition, with this process your qualification tapes should be marvelous and your section leader will be very pleased!