Yamaha
At Yamaha, we believe that music transcends time and borders -- barriers that usually prevent the world's people from forming strong heart-to-heart bonds
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Sound ON Sound
SOUND ON SOUND is recognised internationally as the 'bible' of the hi-tech music recording industry.
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Steinberg
Steinberg has been providing award-winning, technologically-advanced music and media production products for musicians and...
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Futuremusic
There's so much good stuff packed into our reviews section this month that we don't know where to begin!
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M-Audio
M-Audio, a business unit of Avid, Inc, is a leading provider of creative tools for computer-centric musicians and audio professionals.
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Music Educator
Every profession has certain tools associated with it. Mastery over the tools leads to mastery in the profession.
As music educators, we have tools we use to create an environment of success in our lessons with our students. Below, are some of the tools that are necessary to succeed as a music educator.
1. Humor
Sometimes the only way to reach a student is through lightness and humor. Having techniques in our educational toolbox that allow us to bring humor to our lessons can prove to be invaluable. What was the last joke that you found funny and could share with your students?
2. Open mindedness
Music is a language and all styles have something to contribute, especially if it is a genre with which your student relates. As a full-functioning musician we should be able to assist our students in understanding all music, not just that which we deem valid.
3. Musical mastery
We obviously need mastery of our subject. Yet inherent to the word mastery is the understanding that there is always more to learn¡ See number 2!
4. Technical Proficiency
Many times, our students need us to demonstrate how to accomplish a technical challenge. I find that the old adage is best here. A picture is worth a thousand words.¡± Instead of using a verbose explanation to tell our students how to accomplish
the challenge, just show them. It's amazing how easily children can emulate what they see and hear!
5. Techniques for rapport building
This is probably the most important tool in the educator's bag. Different students demand different ways of connecting. Some prefer a gentle caring rapport. Others, require a more humorous relationship. And still others need a firm hand. The experienced educator knows how to connect with all types of individuals. (For more information read "Unlimited Power" by Tony Robbins)
6. Compassion.
The ability to truly care about our students as people and not just as musicians is both a gift and a skill . The person is always more important than the music. Sometimes our students need to know how much we care before they care how much we know.
7. Insight
Insight from both a musical and non-musical standpoint. The more valuable is probably the non-musical. Students are constantly running up against learning style obstacles that have nothing to do with musical challenges. An ineffective
learning style will prevent a student from accomplishing any musical challenge, regardless of its simplicity. Insight into this process will allow the educator to assist the student past the challenge.
8. Belief in human potential
When you think about it, this is really what our field is about, the nurturing of human potential. So what, if our student is not going to win the next Tchaikovsky competition. He still has a right to be the best he can be and it is our job to polish the potential in each of our students until it can be called talent.
9. Effective communications
We are, as educators, communicators of ideas. Successful communication demands two sides, an effective communicator and an effective listener. Many times our students don't actually understand the concept the way we want them too. It is the successful communicator that will recognize this look on a student's face and explain the concept another way.
10. Creativity and Flexibility
One of the greatest assets for a music teacher is the key behind the art of music itself, creativity. Music is a creative art. Why shouldn't the art of music education be a creative venture as well? Some of my greatest solutions to challenges
presented by students were those for which I did not have a previous experience-based answer. Allowing my creative mind to find the solution brought a new fresh light to the lesson and to my teaching in general. Sometimes it's scary to not have the answer immediately. Yet, think of the incredible model you become for your student when you admit to not having the answer, but are willing to create a solution!
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