The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Rightly confused

Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2006-01-06 15:25

Tom Puwalski wrote,
>>
I had the luck back in 1977 to have a chance to study photography with ansel Adams at one of his workshops in Yosemite. When a student would ask one of those, "What would happen if...... questions," Ansel would say, " I don't know let's find out." He would then put a piece of Polaroid film in his camera and TRY an experiment that related to the question. He would then pass around the poloroid with information as to what he had done or changed.
>>

Interesting how this professional photographer's teaching technique resembles that of excellent teaching professionals in other fields. Tiger Woods's coach encourages him to try new ways of holding his golf clubs and to alter his stance. One might assume that such a brilliant golfer obviously doesn't need to change a thing; but there's some value in changing for the sake of change, I think, no matter whether we're beginners or experienced, or amateur or professional.

Tony Pay wrote,
>>>I always say it all depends where you want your problems. Sometimes a change is nice.
>>>

Changing something sharpens my alertness. Changing something (it almost doesn't matter *what*--just *something*--although naturally, I prefer to find a good reason to do something differently) encourages me to listen--really listen, with concentration. When I fall into too much of a routine (with clarinet practice or anything else), at some point, some unusual event will wake me up to the fact that I haven't really been doing what I assumed I was doing. I've slipped into some sloppy habit without noticing it. *Creating* an unusual event now and then seems to be a good strategy for me to continue learning.

That's one reason why I think that when a teacher suggests a student do something new, even if the instruction seems counter-intuitive, it's a good idea to follow the teacher's advice. It's not our last chance. We're not ruined for life if the advice doesn't lead to improvement, so why not give it a try?

Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics