Klarinet Archive - Posting 000389.txt from 1995/06

From: John Baetens <JSBtens@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Precise nomenclature and art
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 1995 14:35:37 -0400

Larry Lieberson quotes Leon Russianoff:

>"In my experience the sensory approach (feeling, seeing,
>touching) is the most efficient way to master a basic skill.
>Such sensory messages are more easily understood and
>reacted to than are such verbal directives as "The
>fingers should be firm, but not taut or stiff."

This is probably conducive to good teaching technique, if it
weren't for the politically correct climate in which teachers
are working in when dealing with young students.
It is unfortunate that American society is so paranoid about
sexual predators and so litigation crazy that many teachers
are changing their teaching techniques to avoid being
prosecuted. In short, teachers are afraid to touch their
students for fear of being sued or criminally prosecuted.
This seems to be especially true of music teachers. It
seems to me that instrumental music teachers have more
than their share of sexual abuse cases brought against them.
I think this has more to do with the necessity of more physical
contact wih students than other teachers. It is unfortunate
that students get short changed in their education because
of an overreaction to a real problem.

John Baetens