Instrumental Challenges

This is a variation on the classic "Recorder Karate" game. I prepare ten different musical challenges for students of progressively increasing difficulty and present students the task of completing them to earn prizes along the way and ultimately achieve the rank of "Incredible Instrumentalist." As the challenges get more difficult, the prizes (usually candy of some kind) also get progressively better, ultimately leading to a celebration lunch for the student and a friend, with pizza, ice cream, etc. if they complete the final challenge. The challenges are designed to reinforce key concepts for students on their instruments, such as long tones/breath control ("Play a note for 32 counts in one breath.") or specific rhythmic passages (8th rests, dotted quarter notes, etc.) or songs from their method books that emphasize dynamics or notes in the extremes of their current playing range. You of course can create whatever challenges you think will help your own students the most.

Students are allowed to attempt a challenge once per day either before or after class, during lunch, or after school, and need to have brought all of their necessary materials (instrument, music, pencil, etc.) for the day in order to participate. Students must complete the challenges in number order. They cannot skip around and just jump to the final challenge. Testing out students on these challenges may seem like it takes time, but it is actually nice because when they attempt it I get to have at least a couple minutes of one-on-one instruction with them (especially if they do not pass the challenge) so I can work with them on specific embouchure corrections or tonguing or any other issues that might be more difficult to notice or address in a full ensemble setting. I typically have two sets of Incredible Instrumentalist challenges, one for my 5th graders and one for my 6th graders. These are the grades it seems to work best with for me.

Here is what the front page to my Incredible Instrumentalist packet looks like for a basic idea:

Incredible Instrumentalists

What is it?: A select group of cream-of-the-crop, highly trained leaders within the Byron Center Charter Band Program that show exemplary skill and proficiency on their instruments in the areas of tone production, breath control, rhythmic counting and technical mastery of specific pieces of music.

So, what do you have to do to be received into this most awesome and elite membership? I'm glad you asked...

Each Incredible Instrumentalist will overcome a series of 10 musical challenges that get increasingly more difficult. Each challenge must be completed with limited mistakes in order to receive the reward for it and move up to the next level. For each challenge that is completed, students will receive a reward that also gets progressively better. A summary of the rewards is listed below.

· Challenge 1: Sucker

· Challenge 2: Tootsie Pop

· Challenge 3: Blow Pop

· Challenge 4: Candy Bar

· Challenge 5: Candy Bar

· Challenge 6: Candy Bar

· Challenge 7: Big Candy Bar

· Challenge 8: Big Candy Bar

· Challenge 9: HUGE Candy Bar

· Challenge 10: PARTY! Pizza and Ice Cream with Mr. Beyer and a friend, as well as obtaining honorary membership into the prestigious league of Incredible Instrumentalists!

All students seeking to attain this legendary status will be put to the test to be sure, but with dedication and perseverance there is honor and glory for the few, the proud, the Incredible Instrumentalists!