Comments on: Learning by Observing

By: Joanna

Joanna — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:44:11 +0000

I had to observe hours of lessons to complete my bachelor’s degree; one teacher’s idea has stuck over the recent years: she challenged her students to play different songs by ear starting with something very simple like “God Is So Good”. They would learn the right hand for a week and then add chords in the left hand and gradually do more “improvising”. She started this with elementary students and they really enjoyed it. This concept was very foreign to me, since I had never been challenged to just “play” any song by ear. I’ve tried to incorporate this concept into every one of my students’ lessons. They love the challenge and the job well done at the end.

By: Mindy

Mindy — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:49:57 +0000

A couple of interesting things I picked up this summer from a master class… One, don’t let your give away your crescendo, as in don’t let it peak too early and the same can be said for diminuendos as well. Second, the music always has to be doing something, going somewhere. It is interesting because when we attended his concert that night, his contemporary pieces were much more energetic and going somewhere than his Chopin pieces, that I felt were almost rote. As though, he himself were a bit bored with them.
What I wish I could do is really listen to my students. When I get to a masterclass setting I hear all sorts of things to change, but in the studio, week in, week out, I don’t hear them.

By: Music Teacher

Music Teacher — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:08:47 +0000

Thanks for this post! I agree with you when you say that watching other music teachers teach and attending graduate studies can be great avenues to pick up some little gems that we can incorporate into our own music teaching strategies. You've got a very nice and interesting blog here, my friend. I always feel glad whenever I encounter people who have the same passion and love for music like what I actually have. I also admire your efforts to share your bright ideas and experiences on teaching music. Keep on sharing useful and creative music teaching tips Have a nice weekend. Happy Halloween! See you around. Cheers!