Playing the String Game
One of the things that I so appreciate about Phyllis Young's writing is her clear articulation of her end goals. What she teaches flows, then, out of what she believes and moves toward her "mark" of an "expressive and facile technique" that the student will then utilize in their life-long music making! Enjoy:)
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There are so many things that I like in PHyllis Young's writing. The whole setting of this book is really cool and makes it all fun to read. In chapter one, she says that a teacher's final goal ought to be "to be dispensable." That is a neat idea. We are all training future teachers at some level, and we must teach them in such a way that they have certain techniques organized in their mind so they can teach others.
ReplyDeleteSpecifically, I liked her emphasis on tension-free motions in chapter two. She says that the student will quite possible become used to and final ignore the unpleasnat sounds that result from tension. It is our job to make tension-free playing a priority from the very first lesson.
I also enjoyed reading her list describing the various stages that students go through as they are motivated to play the violin. Of course, the final stage is our goal; but all the other stages will most likely come first, and that's ok too.
In a way, we also want "to be dispensable", so then our students can be teachers of themselves. Isn't this why we do activities like the fix-it game, so the students can see the error and figure out how to fix it?
DeleteGreat point! One thing that I am going through with my students and would like some advice about is how exactly to have them play without tension. It seem when I stress the importance of relaxing they concentrate too hard and can't relax. In my own experience as a student I find it hard to "relax on command":), while playing a passage, and when I practice I automatically tense up. What are some activities I can do with my students (or even in my own practicing :)) that will get them used to playing without tension, without causing the tension by my attention to the specific area?
DeleteAbsolutely, Melody! The students (and parents!) need to know the criteria for success as most of the teaching actually goes on for 6 days at home. I thought the point that beginning students do not discriminate and that they do not have the same goals as we do were great reminders!
DeleteRachel-- large motions and moderately slow motions:)
DeleteI found Phyllis Young’s five immediate priorities interesting. As I read the priorities, I compared these priorities to Kreitman’s priorities. Kreitman’s priorities deal with the physical aspects of playing (i.e. posture, tone, intonation, musicianship, and notes and bowings). Young’s priorities deal more with the mental aspects of playing. The one priority that stood out to me was the third priority-establish an attitude that is full of confidence and free from inhibitions. Young said that teachers have the opportunity to build confidence in their students. Through my encouragement as a teacher, I can develop confidence in my students. Also, positive public performances can help to build confidence in students. I really need to make sure that my students are fully prepared to perform in public.
ReplyDeleteGood point! It seems a lot of times because our students are younger they are more likely to have insecurity. It would be so awesome if we were able to help them gain confidence by their ability on the violin! A big factor in this goal is not being too hard on the student by giving them too many tasks or pointing out/trying to fix every little error. Big struggle on my part sad to say...
DeleteExcellent thoughts! It is amazing how much of her argument is internal...
DeleteGreat idea to compare those priority lists! It is interesting to see how the two teachers emphasize two different angles. It is so true that, if we as teachers encourage our students in their successful playing elements, they have much more confidence in performance and will actually more musically as a result.
ReplyDeleteThe similarities between the 2 pedagogues is also interesting to me!
DeleteI didn’t have time to do all the reading but in the first few chapters it was really cool to see this section of rules. I especially like rule 2.
ReplyDelete2. Every move made by the teacher is for the good of the student
So often I get caught up in teaching that I don’t focus on what the student really needs the most. It is a lot like Krietman’s priorities in my opinion work on the thing that will help the student the most. I also like number four.
4. All players, including the teacher, practice/study at home between lessons
I think the idea of the teachers having to “play the game” just as much as the students would be a very encouraging thought to the young student. We are never done learning and we need to practice so much that we can learn more that would be normal or expected in a given amount of time
I've often heard that good teachers never stop learning. And I think you made a good point of good teachers should practice/study between lessons. We as teachers should never stop persueing musical and teaching excellence, which requires practice and study.
DeleteI thought the teacher description given in this excerpt was very intriguing. There are so many qualities that teachers need to possess and develop. A teacher should be a leader, and an unlocker of doors, allowing the student to walk through the entry ways easily. The teacher should be energetic, imaginative, creative, inspirational, and enthusiastic. He should treasure individuality, always teaching the individual, and recognizing that every student is different. The teacher is always consuming new ideas and thoughts, and is always learning from everything, even the student; in this way, the teacher can be identified as a life – long learner. Finally, the teacher should be aiming to be dispensable. In looking at these character qualities of a teacher, it’s a challenge to me, to think about how I can change my teaching style to include these things.
ReplyDeleteThis description is personally very challenging... and inspiring!
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