learning a new way of learning
Importance of Materials for Fast Students
Hello. How would you handle this? I have an older student ( age 15) in a group with another boy. The student in question picks things up super quickly. Leaves a lesson with complete grasp and understanding of all new pieces. Quick learner. He is…
Questions to Remember Pieces
I think sometimes students do mindless repetition for practice without breaking it down in such a way that the brain retains the piece. I had a student today who struggles with remembering her pieces so we just slowly went through a series of questions and…
Exercise to Learn about Learning
Years ago I created an exercise to help students really learn, experientially, the value of Controlling the Events. Something that could, in a single exercise, give real felt clarity about the different results that come from CTE vs. not. I’ve done it for years in…
Playlist Dilemma
Here is another playlist dilemma. Most of my students use their playlist pretty diligently however I have a 15 year old who just doesn’t. She won’t use the materials (CD, notes, DVD) plays by ear, doesn’t practice a great deal but most of the time…
Playing-Based Benefits
What are some top reasons that you think playing based is a useful approach? One for me: It helps the student see the piece holistically – understanding through patterns the form of a piece. (The ‘puzzle pieces’ as it were.) My favorite is just that…
Generative vs. Receptive Learning
I’m writing a blog about the difference between generative and receptive learning. This is what I have so far on generative learning. Do you agree? How would you define receptive learning? “This is the difference between ‘generative’ and ‘receptive’ learning. Generative learning requires that a…
Very fast learning adult student
I have a super fast learning adult student. In 4 lessons he’s done Foundation up to and including Ode to Joy; composed a short song, improvised on black notes, learned the C blues scale, done an arrangement of Dreams, learned different rhythms for Jackson Blues,…
Teaching Dreams Come True
In my initial lesson with adult students, I often will introduce the Basics followed by Dreams Come True. It has become a common theme that people really don’t understand that diagram; I am considering starting with the right hand of Ode to Joy. Sadly I…
Using Joanne Jones’ Tools and Strategies list
Some time back, one of our colleagues put together the attached list of simply music Tools and Strategies. It has become one of my most important tools as a simply music teacher. The list has been introduced to all of my current students and will…
Traditional Students to SM
Yesterday I did an FIS for a student that has had 2 years of traditional lessons. She is a cousin of my student that also has had 2 years of lessons, all SM! The Mom wants to switch her daughter to me because she is…