MUSIC HOUSE |
TRADITIONAL LESSONS |
Choices are made by the child |
Choices are made by the teacher |
Child feels that her decisions are trusted and respected |
Child feels that there is a right and wrong way to do music |
Emphasis on child learning through exploration, discovery and guidance if requested |
Emphasis on teacher imparting her skills and knowledge |
The uniqueness of each individual is highly relevant, welcomed and appreciated |
The uniqueness of the individual is largely irrelevant and has little chance to reveal itself |
Activities are geared to the needs, inclinations and readiness of the child |
Activities are geared to needs of the instrument |
Present/ process-oriented – each experience is complete in itself |
Future/product-oriented – most of the time is spent preparing for something that, it is hoped, will be rewarding later on |
There are opportunities to rest and do other things |
Child is required to stay with one activity for the duration of the lesson |
Broad musical exposure |
Exposure only to the particular instrument being studied |
Child’s creative impulse is highly relevant |
Child’s creative impulse is irrelevant |
Lesson content unfolds as you go |
Lesson content is predetermined |
No two students have the same musical experience |
All children have essentially the same musical experience |
Child is in control of the experience and therefore feels ownership |
Child feels that the experience is controlled and therefore owned by the grown-ups |
There is no burden of practicing, leaving the child to feel free to continue on his own only if he chooses – which frequently happens |
Mandatory practicing leaves many children feeling guilty, frustrated and resistant because they aren’t ready to handle the rigors of practicing on their own |
Teacher looks for opportunities to step out of the picture |
Teacher teaches all the time |
Teacher must trust the student and learning process enough to be willing to let go and take risks |
Teacher can feel safe because she is in control |
The teacher has the opportunity to learn from the student |
The teacher only has the opportunity to see how well the student conforms to the proscribed path |
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Music feels like something that is inside of you |
Music feels like something that is outside of you |
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This approach virtually
guarantees that the individual will develop the self-concept of
a musical person |
Those who do not feel
successful at, or connected to - this way of music making are
likely to grow up believing they are musical failures |
