Klarinet Archive - Posting 000872.txt from 2003/06

From: "Christy Erickson" <perickso@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Left, Right or mixed handed?
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 09:24:25 -0400

Michael, Yes this is not new stuff, but we have so much more to learn =
about
the brain and the nervous system. There are some exciting studies being
done currently on brain functions through the use of fMRI and =
neuroimaging
studies. Perhaps due to the fact that I am mix-handed, this has always =
been
an interest of mine, especially as it relates to musicianship. I never =
turn
my mind off to new information and possibilities. Below is a note from =
a
piano teacher I found very interesting. This woman's mother was an LD
teacher and she has a special interest in this area:

Why do I check students for hand/eye dominance? Because I know that
cross-dominance can be related to a variety of odd little quirks (e.g.,
turning to follow the scissors) and have wondered if it doesn't show up =
in
playing. I hypothesize that there's a connection between
right-hand/left-eye cross-dominance and left-hand dexterity, =
particularly in
comprehending/playing complex bass lines.

For me, I am incredibly right-handed for things such as writing, but I =
use
my left hand for fine work, probably because of the left-eye dominance. =
And
I am most drawn to all sorts of polyharmony and ragtime/foxtrots because =
of
the left hand complexity, which for me is like dancing with the piano. =
<g>

As some have noted in this discussion, I have also found that
cross-dominance is common among my most creative and interesting friends =
and
students. I suspect it's partly a survival response (and I LOVED what =
Jenny
said about having a "full set of unique skills that no one else would =
ever
know or care about") because we have the opportunity and need to =
interact
with the world in ways that "normal" folks don't have. So we develop
creative solutions and different skills.

The more I know about who my students are, the better prepared I am to =
help
them develop useful techniques for getting where they want to be. Many
folks on this list have written about the ways in which they recognize =
and
work with the creativity inherent in individual responses to challenges. =
So
much of what looks like "acting weird" is actually an appropriate =
response
to a complex problem, a widening of abilities to answer needs, a =
student's
act of bricolage. (I have just edited this response down from a loooong =
and
passionate rant about "handicaps" and adaptability -- if anyone is
interested in communicating on that, please contact me privately, as =
it's
one of my central concerns, both in life and in teaching.)

Handedness poll continued... what about the old "pat your head and rub =
your
belly" routine? I can do it (with great effort) if my left hand is =
doing
the patting, but not the other way around.

And here's another mini-poll: how common is synasthesia among this =
group or
your students? For a really rough definition, synasthesia is a mixing =
of
sensory information (tasting or hearing colors, for example). See
http://www.softwareimpact.com/cathy/Synesthesia.htm for a much more =
detailed
explanation. I haven't read her entire article, but the intro contains =
some
useful examples and information.

Christy=20

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