tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152868183496013173.post131034256688676845..comments2023-02-28T04:36:02.031-06:00Comments on Discover, Learn, Play: Do I Have to Learn all that Music Stuff?DiscoverLearnPlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05779078192468631610noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152868183496013173.post-73757598960539058022009-07-25T10:58:53.584-05:002009-07-25T10:58:53.584-05:00Scott, thanks for stopping by and posting your com...Scott, thanks for stopping by and posting your comment - the new format at musicteachercafe.ning.com looks great. I hope to poke around a little more thoroughly next week. <br /><br />Music educators have done a woefully poor job of promotion through the years; beginning with Lowell Mason and the Boston School Board and continuing now with 'Save the Music' programs (which are couched as being 'for the kids' but in reality, they're simply trying desperately to save band, choir and orchestra jobs). <br /><br />Instead of capitalizing on the popularity of Rock Band, Guitar Hero and all other advances in technology, we choose to stick our collective heads in the ground and wonder why school music programs are dwindling. <br /><br />There's a right way to go about it that will lead to a lifetime of joy for all who choose to partake. It's about relationships as well as delivery. <br /><br />Part of the current 'process' is teaching students to play Jingle Bells by the week after Thanksgiving - what adult cares about that? What kid in 2009 for that matter? That is equivalent to going for golf lessons and spending the first 6 months learning to master 'the windmill hole'. <br /><br />We need to promote music education as a viable commodity without relying on academia for a market. It's dwindling anyway. The general public need to hear the message: enjoy the process of learning the language of music. There's no need to become a 'star', just enjoy music as a hobby like you would golf, gardening or reading. <br /><br />If we are successful, we can rejuvenate a struggling music education profession through private enterprise and 'save the music' programs will be a thing of the past.DiscoverLearnPlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05779078192468631610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152868183496013173.post-40794416311879861992009-07-25T10:23:14.828-05:002009-07-25T10:23:14.828-05:00Why is it that people are so eager to brag about &...Why is it that people are so eager to brag about "not reading music" or "having no formal training?" Is it a pride thing in trying to take credit for everything you know and do? I have pity on people who count their lack of reading ability as a virtue.Scott Ashbyhttp://musicteachercafe.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152868183496013173.post-75881124963063924062009-04-15T10:04:00.000-05:002009-04-15T10:04:00.000-05:00There are no easy steps than to get through those ...There are no easy steps than to get through those hardships in learning music. I have also been through it as many others also did. There are a lot of <A HREF="http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/" REL="nofollow">music teachers resources</A> on the internet that can help you in learning music.music teachershttp://www.musicteachershelper.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152868183496013173.post-64498166756537897192009-03-15T20:14:00.000-05:002009-03-15T20:14:00.000-05:00I've always been of the perspective that to domina...I've always been of the perspective that to dominate anything, you need to <I>understand</I> it... and reading/writing music + theory is all part of this!Nicohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00451267537696452294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152868183496013173.post-70367791375356406222009-03-14T16:41:00.000-05:002009-03-14T16:41:00.000-05:00The Guardian UK (my fave newspaper over here) invi...The Guardian UK (my fave newspaper over here) invited me to comment on their article on music education. <BR/><BR/>So for those of you who are passionate about good musical education, may I humbly invite you to read and comment on the article.<BR/>It's here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/20/gcses.schools<BR/><BR/>...and quite a dialogue best thru the Cyber <BR/><BR/>Elliott RandallElliott Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10962531722038159542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152868183496013173.post-1096620421339573962009-03-13T08:01:00.000-05:002009-03-13T08:01:00.000-05:00Along the same lines, I once had the opportunity t...Along the same lines, I once had the opportunity to work with a world-class contemporary Christian pianist/songwriter/producer who told us he had "no formal training." Well, it was abundantly clear thisman knew his stuff, from technique to theory and everything in between. While his statement may have been factual, I'm sure that somewhere along the line he must have been taught certain concepts, even if it was just from reading a book or hanging around people who did have formal training.<BR/><BR/>Likewise, I once read an interview with a famous jazz saxophonist (who I will alow to remain nameless) who was downplaying his formal training and early learning experiences. Well, I had to laugh because I happened to be acquainted with this person when we were both in high school, and I know a little something of his background. And again, his training may not have been "formal," but he certain had substantial influences from gifted educators.<BR/><BR/>Those encounters have always made me a little skeptical who claim to have no training or "education" in music.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152868183496013173.post-79215077741606369352009-03-12T22:00:00.000-05:002009-03-12T22:00:00.000-05:00The short answer is "yes." You need to learn how t...The short answer is "yes." You need to learn how to read, you need to learn how to read. This is the same as asking, "do I need to learn the alphabet? Then do I need to learn all of these words?" Yes, you do!<BR/><BR/>You can play by ear for fun, but you will soon find that you grow frustrated as you try to expand your musical vocabulary beyond simple songs. Knowing how to read music opens up the ENTIRE world of music to you. What more could one possibly ask for! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com