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: reading music

Author: JonTheReeds
Date: 2017-10-03 20:24

Best shortcut = great teacher

But also a teacher who has some experience of teaching adults

I'm a late starter and have been lucky enough to find a teacher who at least is understanding that teaching an adult can be a bit different to teaching a child

Adults' brains are much less plastic than those of children and, although we can always learn new things and improve on our skills, it may take longer for us than for children. In effect adults have to fight against learnt, ingrained patterns. But it's not all bad news as adults typically know how they best learn things and may be more focused, efficient and determined, as well as being able to use a wide range of resources to achieve their goals

I've recently been to a workshop where this very point was addressed. The tutor asked us how often we sit next to a small dot of a child who just blows us away with their musical talent. We all raised our hands. The tutor explained why that was the case, told us there was nothing we could do about it, and then asked us not to be too hard on ourselves, but to just give ourselves time

I also play with an ex-professional wind player who is learning the drums and says that she has never found anything so hard. Learning wind instruments as a child was easy for her (you know the type, mastery of one instrument as a young child, then a string of instruments to grade 8 standard within a couple of years). Now she teaches she has a much better understanding of why adults sometimes struggle

So, get a teacher who is sympathetic to adult learners (but sympathetic does not mean they let you get away with errors)

Good luck

--------------------------------------
The older I get, the better I was

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics