Music MB

[ronin718]

I think some folks just don't want to fork out the cash. I just finished picking up a bunch of MB books (7) for my son. Yes, it can get pricey after a while, but if the boys are serious about putting the time into earning the badge, they should really take advantage of the resources available to them, including the MB books.

I agree the downloadable sheets here are a great help, but they're not meant to replace the books. I'd say they should go together to help the boys, enabling them to have the info they need and the means to present this info to the MBC in a clear and concise manner.

[MDEagle]

I agree the downloadable sheets here are a great help, but they're not meant to replace the books. I'd say they should go together to help the boys, enabling them to have the info they need and the means to present this info to the MBC in a clear and concise manner.

I took the liberty of bolding a key part of your quote. From what I've seen, many counselors (particularly in a group setting) conduct the sessions like a class. The present the material, and if a boy manages to stay awake, he gets the signatures for the requirements. I much prefer the scenario you describe. A boy knows what the requirements are, researches them himself to the maximum extent possible, and discusses what he's learned with the counselor. More "independent study" and less "spoon-feeding in a classroom."

As far as the quality of the merit badge books themselves: I think they are excellent. Case in point: Citizenship in the Nation should be required-reading for everyone registering to vote. It is that good.

[Quailman]

Not to stray too far OT from Music, but when I taught a Dentistry class at a local dental center, the office manager went out the next day to get several copies of the MB booklet to have on hand for explaining treatments to patients. OTOH, when I was helping a boy with the Energy badge, neither of us could find the information in the book or online to answer some of the requirements.

[maricopasem]

you know how important they are and I know how important they are but there are leaders out there that do feel a boy needs to read the MB book they feel it is the counselors job to teach the scout everything and that bis just plain wrong. The youth need to be prepared for the MB they are working or going to work on and there are scout masters out there that feel this is not important.

I think it's important to make the distinction, though, that there are some who just aren't aware, like the original poster. Some just need a little bit of kind teaching instead of being lumped in with those who deliberately operate outside the guidelines.

[pipestone1991]

I have my own collection of mb books, maybe someday I'll give 'em to the troop.

[maricopasem]

Boy Maricopasem you hit the nail right on the head. just look at some of the answers you have given the look up the words you used in the dictionary and wow there is your picture. you answers are short smart and just downright stupid. thank goodness I have nothing to do with you or your group of scouts.

My answers are smart and stupid? I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean by that.

I did understand your concluding sentence, however. The offensiveness was unmistakeable.

[cballman]

after a long day at work I have to let off a little steam. so I would like to apolgize for the words that were written yesterday. they were wrong and hurtful and I was out of line. I was wrong to target out maricopasem with the sarcasem that was written. I am sorry.

[PaulSWolf]

BSA has reissued the MUSIC and BUGLING merit badge pamphlet, (Publication Number 35921 - SKU 35921 - 2011 Printing) to replace the aborted combination of Music and Bugling into a single MB.

The TEXT and PICTURES in the pamphlet are exactly the same as the original color printing of the pamphlet, and of the MUSIC pamphlet which was issued last year, and the TEXT (but not the pictures, of course) is the same as the old black and white MUSIC and BUGLING pamphlet which was last revised in 2003.

The only changes are to the MUSIC requirements. Small changes were made to the original requirements 3b, 4b, and 4d, consistent with wording changes that had been made to those items that were made when they proposed changing MUSIC to incorporate Bugling. The other changes they had made at that time have been dropped.

Here's what changed (deletions in italic red, additions in BOLD GREEN):

3b. Interview your parents and grandparents an adult member of your family about music. Find out what the most popular music was when they he or she was your age. Find out what their his or her favorite music is now, and listen to three favorite tunes with them him or her. How do their those favorites sound to you? Had you ever heard any of them? Play three of your favorite songs for them your relative, and explain why you like these songs. Ask them what they he or she thinks of your favorite music.

4b. Compose and write the score for a piece of music of 12 measures or more, and play this music on an instrument.

4d. Catalog your own or your family's collection of 12 or more compact discs, tapes, or records, or other recorded music. Show how to handle and store them.

[RWSmith]

P.S. All,

Paul has already updated the Worksheets and posted them on USScouts.Org.

And I have made similar corrections/updates on MeritBadge.Org.