Sarah Todd currently teaches General Music in Kindergarten through Eighth grade, as well as Band, Jazz Band, and Choir in Des Plaines, Illinois. Prior to that, Sarah taught general music, band, choir, Mariachi guitar, bucket band, recorders, boom whackers and more in Chicago Public Schools for eleven years. Sarah was a semifinalist for the 2019 Grammy Music Educator of the Year.
Sarah credits much of the musical success and confidence her students achieved to their time learning on pBuzz. She saw the impact it not only had on general music engagement, but for her band program and school community. She had her pBuzz students perform at assemblies and band concerts at the school. She has presented pBuzz clinics for educators and music administrators and is a contributing author to the first ever method book for pBuzz in the general music classroom.
There are many different ways to engage students with instruments and music making in the elementary classroom. We asked Sarah what that means when teaching with pBuzz.
I've actually used pBuzz, recorders and also bucket band in my general music elementary classrooms. I found that the way to have the most success with my kids is to have them alternate between the three instruments. It got them excited about playing as an ensemble.
For example, it was really fun to do bucket drumming and pBuzz at the same time. Students got to play different instruments. They got to hear how music could come together, and they got to be a part of creating something together by creating something musical and by composing or improvising their own melodies.
They also learned how to read music. Students who had success on one instrument were able to carry that over to another instrument. With pBuzz, all of the kids can get a sound, so they have that instant gratification and a strong sense of accomplishment and success. Seeing them grow their music skills and confidence, and feeling great about playing music, is what makes it most fun to use.
Sarah Todd
Using Air and Other Benefits of pBuzz in the Classroom
pBuzz is an early learning instrument. For almost a decade, teachers have experienced first-hand with how pBuzz achieves greater student success. Starting in the UK where it was introduced, and then in other parts of the world and in the United States, teachers realized that pBuzz allows a more expansive level of learning in the elementary grades.
One of the things that teachers established with pBuzz is that it teaches younger students how to use air properly. Proper breath support is a key component, of course, in both vocal and instrumental music. Learning this skill early provides for many positive outcomes both in elementary school and in future music endeavors.
Using air is just one of the basic areas in which teachers saw immediate benefits. Other benefits were realized, including achieving basic music skills earlier, listening to each other, listening within the ensemble, access to better assessment and visual clues from watching each other play. The teacher can see the six notes on the pBuzz and see as well as hear students perform. Both are important because, when playing as an ensemble, the teacher may not be able to hear what's going on, but will be able to see.
There is also the kinesthetic impact – the use of gross motor skills that allows more children to participate. Teachers with expertise in disabilities really like the pBuzz for this reason alone. pBuzz is an exciting tool for educators and students in the elementary schools.
Teaching Children to “Buzz”
When I'm just starting to teach young students how to “buzz” a note, I want them to get a sound right away. I say, “say hmm.” We make “hmm” , that sound with our lips. Then we think of buzzing like a bee. I will usually have them do it on the back of their hand if they're spread out far enough. Then we just put it on the instrument and they just like making silly noises. It’s fun being silly when you're in second grade!
Sarah Todd
Assessment Clues and Showing Success with pBuzz
In assessing for success beyond high/low timbre recognition, the color coding not only helps them get comfortable to where the slide needs to go for different notes. It becomes a feel for them and is also a terrific way for the teacher to quickly assess. If your district requires data collection, you can do a quick assessment for data collection both visually and aurally. The color coding helps the teacher in addition to the student.
The pBuzz is also labeled by number, by note letter name and by solfege, so you have that teaching ability when you're learning about the notation. You can match the color to the note name to the notation so it's all very much in sync with all those different elements.
I like to teach students how to show success as we are playing. When we're learning a new song, for example, let's say we're learning the beginning of Hot Cross Buns. Let's put our hand right on the A so the students cannot get the slide past that. We might sing the letters together: A-G-F. That way they can look at it while they're doing it. They can see it and feel where it goes. When it's time to play it, they already have that feel. You can do that with the numbers 4-5-6. You can do it with the colors. You could say purple-blue-yellow, or you could just say the letter name, or use the solfège. There are easy ways to help students learn. Not only aurally, not only visually, but by feeling it as well so they can start assessing themselves.
Sarah Todd
The pBuzz Journey
The music that's being provided in the pBuzz Journey method book are songs that teachers have recommended and use, including modern band songs, Mariachi songs, jazz songs, traditional songs that are played on recorder and holiday songs. All of these have backing tracks are accessible whether you're an educator teaching or the child taking the instrument at home. They can pull it up using a QR code and play along. With this book, the pBuzz becomes more than just an in-class instrument: it can be a take-home instrument, as well.
I think the excitement that this instrument brings is everything that makes music fun and makes a general music class great. That instant success, that feeling the kids get as they progress. “I made one note, now I can do two, I can do three.”
When this instrument was put in their hands, I just saw a lot more success. They're just having fun. Seeing that excitement, especially with students who, maybe even in music class, had more challenges early on. I had large class sizes and we had so many amazing diverse learners in my classes. I especially loved seeing students who had more specific needs have success on this instrument and became even more excited to come to class. I think it's a really inclusive instrument for all kids...I think the younger the better. They have so much fun at it. That excitement is what makes this instrument great to use.
Sarah Todd
Adding pBuzz to your curriculum is fun and easy. pBuzz, additional mouthpieces and carrying cases are all available from your favorite music supplier.
We've pulled together a complete collection of educational materials on pBuzz for elementary educators.
You can also discover these teaching resources to help you get started:
- For a video overview of teaching with pBuzz, check out The Basics of Teaching pBuzz VIdeo Series By Dr. Keith Dye.
- Want to grab a book to get your class buzzing? Learn more about the New pBuzz Journey Method Book and free Teachers Guide.
- Check out another pBuzz case study: Teaching with pBuzz provides early skills needed for success in music.
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