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They mostly affected teaching by not giving it a chance. They bounce along from teacher to teacher. Others demoralize their kids so that it is really tough to make progress. The kid gets so tied up in knots over pressure that the lessons require some decompression time. It is far better for the lesson to be the focus time, but what can you do when a kid is tied up in knots emotionally and physically and just can’t get started?
Hi Pippin.
Speaking as one who works with around 30 people weekly on this very thing–note reading–I can say that practice and intent make all the difference. There is a logic behind the notes–when they move up a step on your instrument, they move up on the lines (from a line to a space or vice versa) of the music. Also, someone mentioned not using mnemonics for memory. I second that. I find that my transfer students who rely on Every Good Boy Does Fine keep relying on it long after the others are reading fluently.
There is nothing that can substitute for hard work. Flashcards, as someone else recommended here, are a great idea. I can tell instantly in a lesson if the student has been diligent on “flashing himself” through the week.
Good luck! Many adults learn this skill and become fluent at it. You can too.
I learned the flute as a child (G clef) and sang (again, G clef), so like you I was worried about the bass clef.
Did you mean to claim Socratic dialogue as an advancement of the last century?
hahaha Ironically yes. The pendulum forever swings back and forth. That philosophy is in line with student centered teaching in which the teacher draws out all the inherent potential that is within the student. This doesn’t mean they don’t model and direct, but that the learning process is molded specifically around the student’s unique mind and potential, rather than molding the students into a preset tradition.
The military breaks down the individual and then rebuilds them into their image. That philosophy is often seen in the arts as well, but is at odds with the Socratic method. The military needs individuals subjected to the whole. Individuals cannot be questioning orders and so it makes sense to subjugate them. I don’t see the strength of this philosophy in the arts apart from a desire to fulfil social control and dominance.
Here’s another quote that captures the same student centered ideology. A child’s mind is a fire to be kindled, not an empty vessel to be filled.
Saul, i think your post creates an important counterpoint to mine. This topic is heavily determined by the specifics of a particular context. It is still worth addressing in more abstract terms which may or may not apply in a single instance.
Over the past century there have been many advancements in education, psychology, neuroscience, etc. For some reason music training relies more heavily on tradition and has not appeared to take full advantage of current research. It is important to see what aspects are valuable within a given system, but it is also important to question the status quo if it could be the source of problems. Student centered learning using the Socratic dialog is one of those advancements.
Because of the kind of emotional and financial wreckage so prevalent in our field, i have gone so far to make the choice to start a master’s in counseling in two days actually. :o) I’ve already invested so much time and money in classical music alone, and have enjoyed success and personal contribution, but am now convinced that the system alone is damaging to me as a person. This new focus is attempt to reclaim myself. It is not possible for me to give up music, and so i plan to do interdisciplinary research. My new dream is to use the harp to help treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and depression, and abuse recovery always with a focus on expression and meaning. The cut-throat competition, harsh dialog, elitism, one-up-man-ship, name dropping, approach to life is not always healthy. There are aspects to our profession that could use improvement. Right now dominance in personality is at least an equally important skill to musical insight and ability. I don’t believe in blaming individuals, but the system which is flawed. I appreciate that everyone is only trying to survive. It’s why i mentioned in an earlier post not squelshing a certain degree of egotism if it makes the student strong to endure the harsh climate of our profession. It is like animals fighting over the last waterhole in a drought. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if pop music didn’t consume all the resources our society willing offers to the “arts”. (term used loosely folks ;o) )
I’m not certain what the history of the piece is, but Valeri Kikta Sonata no. 2 “Bylina’s Scale” contrasts serenity with oppression. (i can give you info on how to get the score) The middle section is
*cyberhug* for Cynthia
The human spirit runs deep and is incredibly strong. That you can recognize how life has shaped you is essentially proof that you have command over yourself as a person and your future. I am really glad you posted because other people reading these posts could go away with some hopelessness, which is definitely not intended. Knowing oneself as an artist is being able to recognize what life has done to us and then to share that with others. When we face hardships, that only gives us more means to connect with others who have shared those same experiences. You have something important to say through music and you will find a way. That comes through in your post with clarity. :o)
Dear Julie,
What is the future for those of us who have, for years followed teachers who insisted upon unquestionalble obience, and only accepted their preception of perfection? We have learned not to ask questions, but to sit and listen to what our teachers have to say without being allowed to speak.
If a student comes to every lesson with the piece performance ready, why the heck do they need a teacher?
It is healthy for students to be working at multiple levels at once: sightreading, ‘exposure pieces’ to become familiar with a variety of repertoire, pieces to fill in technical gaps, and finally performance polish pieces. It is completely normal for students to come to lessons nervous, wanting to please the teacher, but flawed in some way. I’ll suggest that is the reason they are the student and not the teacher. Even teachers have room to grow. If i had a teacher who expected perfection at every lesson, i would not grow. Perfectionism causes emotional blockage. Striving for perfection is important for any artist, dismissing everything except perfection is wretchedly unhealthy. Also, perfection is a subjective term in music, so it can simply mean the teacher’s expectations.
The Socratic dialog helps students become their own teacher. This is the underlying goal for anyone who wishes a lifetime of success for their students. Let the student question, even challenge when it is done sincerely and in a desire to grow. If students across the board are not encouraged to question, then what happens to those who have the misfortune of an ill-informed teacher? Unquestioning obedience is a sure-fire way to lose yourself as a human being, and then what will you have to say as an artist?
Hi
I have busked on the street a good many times (Still do. I played at a farmers’ market this morning)
Hi Audrey, Busking sounds like it could be a lot of fun, and a good way to gain experience playing out. Taking the Paris subway was always fun as there were always muscians busking. Wow, the sound really carries down in the tunnels. Once there was even a harpist, opera singer, violinist, oboeist(?sp). For me playing, I have 45 min. playing and 15 off. I’ve never had to play longer than 2hrs. though.
I have the K2 products harp dolly with the extended loading board, and the six wheels on each side. It has sheepskin to protect your harp on the wooden handle bars. It is so sturdy and well made. I don’t have any problems loading any of my harps on it as it is very secrure. The straps are well located and easy to adjust. I have used it to move concert grandes, my Camac Clio and Prelude without any problem at all. The K2 fits them very well. It did not fit my Lyrica though. Although it won’t turn on a dime, it is super on stairs! That was why I bought it plus the reccomendations from other harpers that I know. I can’t remember exactly what I paid for it, but it was a very wise investment. I will never complain about it’s cost.
