Klarinet Archive - Posting 000590.txt from 2004/10

From: "Forest Aten" <forestaten@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Some more thoughts on embouchures
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 13:33:36 -0400


>
>1) From the viewpoint of a person who has spent my whole life (so far) in
>science education, I appreciate the value of analogy (the "one hand
>clapping" image) but find slick analogies to be dangerous if they lead to
>the wrong conclusion. I think there is serious doubt among your list
>colleagues whether that analogy is indeed appropriate.

If I were teaching a class on science, I would be very concerned. I am less
concerned in that I am trying to explain sound production on a musical
instrument. My analogy is perhaps incorrect (I'm still not convinced). Your
criticism is, nonetheless, valid.

I will likely have to either remove it or better be able to explain it. In
practice, it does work quite well. In print, it seems it may be hopeless.

Adam,

Let me add this...

Teaching anything often requires an inter-disciplinary approach. Music
students need some science.

If you take the time to teach important fundamental science related to music
(even at the entry level) everyone benefits.

Define (in a formal way):

Sound
Sound wave
Acoustics
Vibration
Pressure
Speed
Etc.

All can be defined in simple ways. Ways that help when teaching/learning a
wind instrument and music in general. It's a short list. Add at will.

I don't understand why you want to dumb down so much of what you intend to
teach. You've made several comments about students/people not being able to
understand, or to the effect that students don't make efforts to learn if
the learning process requires even the least amount of effort. Why?
I have always found that most people only do what you expect from them. If
you have low expectations you can expect that this will effect student
behavior as much as having high expectations. Your stated objective to
streamline and simplify the approach to teaching, making it easier for
educators to work on common ground, could fail as a result of the low
expectations required by this "brand" of education. I've seen so much
oversimplification, misinformation and exclusion of information lately. Let
me ask you a question. Why? This is not to say that all students will
respond or be able to respond to the presentation of difficult material or
ideas....but what you propose is not a reasonable course.

Forest Aten

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