Hi folks!
Welcome to Maranatha's String Teaching Blogsite-- we use this for discussion posts for our classes and I have created a page for you! Feel free to visit other pages-- however, before you do, please be sure to write one post on this page with an idea from the reading that was interesting to you as well as comment on two other posts. Thanks!
Miss Pabon
One of the first things that stood out to me in Kreitman’s reading was the idea that in twenty years he has never met a student who did not learn the notes and bowings. It is interesting that almost any student can figure out the right fingerings for a song, and yet it is nearly impossible for a student to be able to figure out the best posture and best sound out of their instrument. Thus the real need for a teacher is understood.
ReplyDeleteI also thought that his examples to describe the differences between learning by rote, reading, and ear where incredible in explaining what really happen during those methods of learning. It was very easy to see how learning by rote is only successful for that particular task/song, reading is complex in the way that it combines “driving the car” and “reading the map”, and ear is experiencing learning through experience and scaffolding. While I think that it is important to be able to read and play, as well as be somewhat successful in learning by rote, I believe that the most valuable learning experience in most cases is learning be ear, or experience.
It is amazing how many people can pick melodies out on their own. However, when it comes to proper technique and other essential elements to playing well a teacher is definitely helpful. I also thought that his illustration really drove his point home.
DeleteThanks, Dominique. I think you cleared up my confusion about rote vs ear. I can see how ear training is more of a general skill. Although I think you can use rote learning to teach some of these skills, such as the use of solfege patterns and assessing students for comprehension.
DeleteI think the main difference between rote and "finding your notes" is that in one the Teacher is who is driving the activity and in the other, it is the student. Hence, much more powerful learning is occurring although it might seem much less efficient on the surface.
DeleteIts so true that kids can actually find the right notes and fingerings, but posture must be taught! I remember learning everthing by ear and could play many things but my technique was poor until I started with lessons.
DeleteThis chapter raised some very interesting points.
ReplyDeleteI was impressed with Kreitman's six step system, and particularly the way each level was built perfectly upon the previous levels.
I was fascinated by the sixth step: the trial and error/choose your own notes one. It is crucial that this is done privately. In this, the student will not be forced to rely on a superior, nor will they be embarrassed. When the student can begin to experiment, they not only learn the tunes they've been assigned, but also they begin to learn where certain pitches are on the instrument, which can build an extremely strong ear.
This part of the reading tied in very well to the observation I did on Tuesday with the Shooting Stars group. The class had a mini-performance time and most of the students were extremely eager to play the new piece they had just learned, some of them, within the past week. All of the students played by ear, and even when they missed a note, the would quickly adjust their fingers to the right pitch, demonstrating that they were beginning to recognize where the the correct pitch was, either lower or higher. I was also extremely impressed with their calmness, when they would mess up. They weren't embarrassed at all, and moved along like it was completely natural. Which it is!
All in all, this chapter provided some great insights into ear training.
Observing the students playing by ear in Shooting Stars was very interesting to see after reading this chapter philipledge. Something that was very interesting to me was when one of the students said that she needed her music to play the song. She put the music on the stand and played but then I noticed during the performance that she never looked down at her music even once. She was still picking out the notes by sound, maybe because that is the way she learned and is most comfortable with.
DeleteHis 6th step was very intriguing. I had not really thought about it before but it is very true that it would be easier on the student to be able to figure a tune out at home. Also this is something that a student is able to do on his own so it frees up lesson time for other things that the student needs help in.
DeleteI was impressed with how well those kids were doing even at such a young age. Learning to play by ear at a young age will become second nature to them as they get older. And I do think it is very important for them to start being able to read music as well. But maybe that could come a little bit later.
DeleteI agree that the child should be left alone to learn things by trial and erro because he might not experiment to the same level with a peer or superior nearby.
DeleteI really liked his illustration of driving to his music school from his home. The third point he talked about experiencing the ride every day for a month. After experiencing the ride you would not only be able to make the drive but you would know the way well and be able to have reference points to which you could connect other destinations. He then compared it to music when a child learns a piece by ear. There were several steps to provide scaffolding so that each step builds on the other and then the child has reference points on which to build the next step. In this way, a student can learn music most effectively.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think the illustration made it more clear and helped to picture the idea in my mind.
DeleteWhen I was first learning to play piano and clarinet, I learned to read the notes before playing by ear. Kreitman described playing by ear and reading note symbols as being two different sets of skills. So, if this is the case (and I believe it is) I think teachers should teach their students to play by ear and to read notes at the same time. This way, they are learning both sets of skills. I know I wish I would have learned to play by ear more.
ReplyDeleteI also liked how Kreitman described learning by rote and learning by symbols. Learning by rote would be like giving someone a very detailed list of directions. Any little mistake would completely mess up the entire list. Learning by symbols was illustrated with reading a map. You must understand what the symbols mean in order to follow it.
I also liked the six steps Kreitman gave for learning how to play by ear better. I think often times my thinking is that playing by ear is just a special talent, but these steps could help someone who isn't naturally talented at playing by ear become a better player. And I also think experience helps too. Practicing it more and more will help improve playing by ear.
I am in the same boat, Megan. I learned by note first to. As a result, sight reading is certainly my stronger suit. Like you, I wished that I had begun to learn by ear earlier. This would have unlocked more musicality. I think that establishing this musicianship really needs to be prioritized and that playing by ear aids this ability in a great way before being stuck in the music.
DeleteThe illustrations he used to describe the whole process were very effective.
DeleteI'm always very fascinated when I hear that people learned to play by reading right away. I learned by ear first. I found, though, that when I learned how to play by ear first, that reading came extremely naturally for me. It was an outgrowth of what I had learned. I knew which note to start on and went from there. Now, they're two perfectly interchangeable skills.
When you talk about playing by ear as being a "special talent" you are bringing up an important point. All the children in the shooting stars class can play by ear- why is that?
DeleteI learned by ear first but then when we got to reading the playing by ear got put on the back burner. I agree with you Megan, I wish I would have had an equal emphasis on both as my skills progressed.
DeleteIn response to your comment about playing by ear being just a special talent, I would say that I definitely used to have that view as well. Before I got to college, I had thought that being able to play by ear was something that you were born with or you just couldn't do it. It is easy to forget that it is a skill that needs to be worked up, just like reading notes off of a page is a skill that needs practice as well.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that is interesting about playing by ear is the idea that although it is a skill that needs to be learned and practiced, some people do come by it more naturally than others. Some people have to work really hard at playing by ear and others it come easily to. Also, when a person starts playing by ear at a young age it isn't a big issue and they are more comfortable with it. Personally I did not learn to play by ear, I learned to read first, so when I came to college it was a big struggle for me.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is important that we learn at a young age. When students are a little older they can still pick up on reading notes pretty easily, but it is difficult for older people to start playing by ear if they have never developed their ears.
DeleteI'm finding that many of us learned to read notes more then/instead of playing by ear. I wonder if that was the method of teaching when we were younger, and now maybe it's changed some. So there is a heavier emphasis on playing by ear.
DeleteOnw thing that I found interesting in the article was that he thought note reading was important at a latter date. Obviously it works for some people to learn note reading at the same time they are learning the basics about their instruments, but that does not mean it is the best way. Just like some people learn to drive with stick, but it is easier to learn on a manual car. We need to make sure we do not overwhelm our students right off with too much information. Music is fun...so lets make it that way for them!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! We must keep everything as simple as possible when they begin learning, so as not to confuse them.
DeleteAnd yes, music is fun!
This article impressed me with its points and communicative style. I agree that a sound before sight method is vital. The ears must be engaged at all times to encourage musicianship. I thought it was interesting in the way he contrasted "rote learning" with "playing by ear." I used to think the two were somewhat synonymous. However, it appears that playing by ear requires a more guided and logical approach. The student learns that listening requires thinking about pitches being the same or different as well as the different directions of intervals.
ReplyDeleteMy question is, how is this different than Gordon or Feierabend's approach with solfege? In both cases the student receives guidance in learning songs by singing the song first, scaffolding with neutral syllables and solfege, being tested for comprehension, and then being taken to the page. It was my understanding that this was the rote learning method. Perhaps the difference lies in the ability to improvise. Thoughts?
I agree! The way he explained the concepts by using the car ilustration was very clear!
DeleteI really appreciated that this approach is an ear-first approach. That, in my opinion, is the best and most efficient way to teach music. I was not taught by this method, although I wish I had been. In my day, it was just "read from the page" and that's what it is method. You know? It is kind of frustrating, looking back on it. It's ok though. I now know what to do for the future. :) Good article.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this article. Obviously he is really emphasizing learning by ear before anything else. His illustration about getting from his home to work was insightful by showing that if one is comfortable with the tonality, key, sound of the violin then playing in tune and memorizing and other techniques will come easier. He also showed the negative of children who are taught just notes or symbols to learn instead of by ear. They struggle learning advanced material. He mentioned one of his students that had still written out this concerto with finger patterns!
ReplyDeleteI found his example of driving in the car and following direction very helpful. It took away all the confusion that I think sometimes happens and helped relate each way he gave directions to each way we can learn music. When you are beginning, if you are trying to learn and apply so many skills all at once it becomes an overload and too much to handle. I really liked the six step system also. I remember doing some of those steps and kind of things in elementary school and remember that doing those ear training exercises were challenging but they really helped me grow and understand the things we would be going over in class.
ReplyDelete