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The following is the transcript
from Squeaky's first press conference concerning the debut of
his new "Squeaky's Recorder Playhouse" website.
Reporter:
"Squeaky, Can you tell us why you created this
website?"
Reporter: "Would you please step up to the
microphone."
Squeaky: "Oh, um, sorry about that, can you
hear me now?" I don't usually appear in public, so
I'm a little nervous. As I was saying, I created
this site because students were always saying my name when
they played. 'Squeaky had a little lamb, Squeaky, little
lamb, Squeaky, little Squeaky'".
Reporter: "Is is possible for
students who do not play the recorder to use this site?"
Squeaky: "Yes, yes, anyone can
use this site to learn about music. The rhythms
and notes sections contain excellent
tutorial and practice pages for any musician, and the music in
the songbook
can be played on any instrument pitched in the key of C, such
as the recorder, the flute, the piano, the guitar, the
xylophone, the Jew's harp etc."
Reporter: "Squeaky, what experiences do you have
playing the recorder that you think will help your students
avoid the many traps of music study?"
Squeaky: "TRAPS!?! Well, I've spent my whole life
avoiding them! Unfortunately, my Great Grand-Pappie
wasn't so lucky. In 19and47 he was a musician performing
with the infamous "Mouse-ka-teers" orchestra.
They were right in the middle of their premiere performance
when "BAM", he missed the repeat sign. Great Grand-Pappie
was never the same. But, I digress. Back to your
question, I spent many years playing in the Mousecorders,
please, no autographs until after the interview. Now I
am eager to share my knowledge with the outstanding musicians
of this era.
Reporter: "What do you see as the greatest
challenge facing beginning musicians?"
Squeaky: "Well, first of all, these youngsters of
today don't know how to practice. They just keep playing
bad notes and rhythms over and over. Worst of all, when
they miss a section of the music, they just start over at the
beginning and play until they miss it again. My Great Grand-Pappie
always said that bad practice
equals bad performances. My room for practicing
will teach these youngsters the steps involved with productive
practicing as well as what to do when you cannot seem to play
a section of the music."
Reporter: "What about squeaks?"
Squeaky: "Next question
please."
Reporter: "How
does your site address the squeaking epidemic?"
Squeaky: "No more questions?"
Reporter: "Squeaky, according to a report
released yesterday from the CDP (Center for Disastrous
Playing) squeaking is at an all time high. You cannot
just ignore this crisis. What are you doing to
combat this infectious situation?"
Squeaky: "Well, squeaking has long been tricky
trap to avoid and I've lost many a good afternoon's nap due to these
kids constantly yelling my name. I'm definitely ready
for a good afternoon of peace and quiet, so I created a
special page with tips on ways to stop squeaking
when playing the recorder.
Reporter: "One of the main problems
many students face is knowing when they play a song
correctly. Do you just expect the students to assume
they played each of the songs in your Songbook
correctly?"
Squeaky: "Well of course I do! These
youngsters are very bright, but I have heard many a mom or dad
question a student's performance. So, to help mom and
dad know when the student is playing correctly, they can use
the tools in the Songbook.
When the student selects a song, they can
listen to it by
pushing the play button. The notes even flash to help
mom and dad keep up with what is happening. Once the
student can play the song, record their performance by selecting
the respective button. Parents can even have me grade
the performance by selecting the Assessment button. I will
color the notes the student plays correctly in
green and mark
any pitches or rhythms they missed in
red. Of course,
mom and dad must download my
"Finale Performance Assessment" program before I can
record or grade any performances. Students can
also print the songs in my
Songbook.
Reporter: "Speaking of the songs, how did
you select the music found in the songbook?"
Squeaky: "I gathered the songs from my personal Kodaly
Song collection. It is filled with authentic folk songs appropriate
for elementary level music instruction. The songs are
all public domain and have been rewritten using Finale Music
Notation software as to avoid any copyright infringements
placed on the actual fonts used in other music
collections. Each song has been scrupulously examined
for educational content and accuracy before receiving approval
by Kodaly police
officers D. Garrett, S. Garrett and K. Shuford."
Reporter: "You have a room in your
playhouse titled The Recorder. What is in this room and why
should students play there?"
Squeaky: "This page contains all the links a
student ever needs to learn about the recorder. From
this page, you can learn how to hold a recorder, how to
finger each note and how to read a fingering chart.
Students can also take quizzes and most important, learn how
to stop squeaking!
Reporter:
"Tell me about your Quizzes."
Squeaky: "My Quizzes
page is a great place for the students to test their
understanding of the recorder fingerings and the notes of the
treble clef. Each section contains multiple quizzes
which increase in difficulty as they progress. Students receive
immediate feedback when they answer a question and can repeat
a question until they determine the correct answer."
Reporter:
"What is included in your Links
page?
Squeaky: "The
Links
page contains information for students, parents and
teachers. There are links on musical topics such as the
instruments of the orchestra and the history of instruments
and musicians. Teachers may enjoy looking at the links
for music education, musical fonts, music programs and
upcoming performances in the East Tennessee region.
Reporter:
"What is the best way for a beginning musician to
use this site?"
Squeaky: "Beginning musicians should start
in the Notes room. After
they read the material, encourage them to take the
Quizzes
to test their understanding of the treble clef notes.
Once the musician has passed the quizzes, they may want to
explore the Rhythms page.
Next, be sure to look at the information on the Recorder
page, and of course, take the Fingering
Quizzes. Just before looking at the Songbook,
the students should read through the Practicing
guide. Once these things have been done, the student is
prepared to play the Beginning Level I songs in the Songbook.
Reporter:
"Squeaky, thank you for your time. You have
created a wonderful site where young musicians can learn to
read and perform music.
Squeaky: "Thank you."
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