Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
-
Hi Paul!
I totally agree – all music learning is, of course, a journey. The challenging thing of any art is that the journey doesn’t seem to have a final destination. The other challenging thing within the arts, is measuring levels and success.
Firstly, mass applied courses for financial gain, for me, feel somehow “wrong”, especially when using the name of a renowned teacher at their helm.
Secondly, the “art of teaching” is a skill. How I taught 20 years ago is not remotely anywhere near as well as I teach now. I have learned to diagnose someone (basically a form of informal assessment in academic jargon, and am still learning every week), analyse them, find the most effective route to supporting them, work strategically and to work with them as a partnership. I used to share my esteemed wisdom and seek to pass on my gained knowledge and status; now I know that this is not good teaching at all!
However, I recognise the need for more formal assessment. Assessment gives a benchmark, especially in a diploma or degree. I wonder whether the assessment should be tied more to how it could improve performance on an instrument/voice? Surely the purpose of aural training is part of a bigger package and, whilst taught by a specialist, should be part of the wider musical picture?
-
