How to Teach the Curwen Hand Sign System to Young Children

Hand signal

Curwen hand signs are used to teach pitch and note placement to music students. The use of hand signals when teaching pitch provides a visual cue to enable students to learn how to sight-read music. There is a hand signal for each of the seven notes of the major scale. Traditional hand signs in this system are small and use one hand. Modify these standard signs to larger signs to appeal to younger students.

Instructions

Modified Curwen Hand Signs

1. Review the standard Curwen hand signs and the modified hand signs suggested at learngen.org. Modify if desired for the age of the students to be taught. Use both hands and placement around the face for the modified signs, as this is easier for younger children to identify.

2. Teach each modified sign to the students until all seven signs have been memorized. This memorization may take several sessions for all students to achieve.

3. Practice the signs with a call and response warm-up activity. Continue to modify the signs until the large movements are no longer needed and the standard signs can be used.

References

• University of Kansas: Curwen Hand Signs
• Learn gen.com: The Curwen Hand Signs for Pre-School and Primary School Students