Klarinet Archive - Posting 000091.txt from 1997/05

From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Editorial
Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 06:52:45 -0400

Neil Leupold wrote:

>On Fri, 2 May 1997, Jonathan Cohler wrote:
>
>> Therefore, being precise about what it is that the student needs to
>> actually do to accomplish the desired effect is very important. Too many
>> vague, non-physical and inaccurate "concepts" float about this musical
>> world that obfuscate the real issues and confuse students who are working
>> hard to learn *how* to play.
>
>The mark of a good teacher is not necessarily one who knows exactly how an
>effect is created and can articulate that knowledge in objective terms to
>the student. Quite literally, every individual student's needs are
>different, and a good teacher is one who has the intuitive skills which
>enable him/her to tailor his/her instructional approach to the student's
>personality. In a purely objective environment, I agree with John's
>statement in principle. It would work perfectly if one were educating a
>computer, where there would be no empirical frame of reference to exploit.

[cut]

Certainly, no one would argue with the fact that the purpose of a teacher
is to teach most effectively.

I was simply pointing out that using vague and especially inaccurate
"concepts" is counterproductive. Using concepts, analogies, comparisons,
and any other techniques that allow the student to efficiently learn
techniques and/or musical concepts is certainly valid.

But as you point out, you must deal with the frame of reference of the
student. That is precisely why using terms like "fast air" "slow air" "hot
air" "cold air" is ineffective. The terms are completely meaningless.

"Blow harder" is something that everyone understands. Or if you want to
teach a student to open their throat, you can tell them to "say ahhh".
Again this is something that everyone understands.

So I come back to my original point: using vague, imprecise, ill-defined,
or inaccurate concepts is a poor way of teaching.

Explaining things carefully in objective terms, while also using concepts,
analogies, associations and comparisons is a very effective method of
teaching.

----------------------
Jonathan Cohler
cohler@-----.net