Cognition:“The process of thought“.
On several occasions I have had a student ask me to teach him to sing while playing. This task seemed impossible for the student(s), I explained that this was a learned skill, which takes hours of practice. When I am playing, I will make a mistake if I stay focused on my fingers. Therefore, I perform better if i subconsciously play the instrument while I am consciously thinking of something else or singing.
I have started working with some of the students on this process, and getting good results within weeks of the training.
First, I find a song in the student’s repertoire which he/she can play well, and by memory. As the student starts playing, I start a conversation. I will ask what he had for lunch, and then question what was eaten in detail. I also ask about each class that was attended in school, and the activites and homework that was given.
The first several times I do this exercise, the student, after being asked a question like “What did you have for lunch today?”, will freeze up with eyes bulging and eyes opened wide. He keeps playing, but is speechless. After a few moments he will answer the question as he starts missing the notes, or just say “I don’t know”.
After doing this exercise during a couple of lessons, the student starts looking forward to the exercises. Within four to six weeks, the student starts answering questions and having a conversation while playing, without missing a note,
Adults and children alike share the same initial response (a look of horror). An adult student asked me a few nights ago how he could continue the exercise at home. I told him to play his songs while watching tv, reading a book, or talking to his wife. The adult student, a medical doctor, told me that this exercise helped train his brain to think on two levels: the conscious level and the subconsious level.
Try it. With yourself. With your students.
About the Author
Ronnie Currey teaches guitar, bass guitar, piano and voice to over forty private students. He is also the the Music Teacher's Helper Director of Member Services as well as the editor for the blog and newsletter.
Ronnie was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee moving to the Denver area from Atlanta in 2000. Upon his arrival to Colorado Ronnie was hired by a Denver computer company as a sales executive, and within three months, promoted to manager. After nine months residing in Denver, Ronnie had signed up thirty private music students by leaving pamphlets at a local music store, and had to resign from his computer job. He currently teach between 40 and 45 students on guitar, piano, bass guitar and voice.
At age 8 Ronnie started piano lessons, and by 12 years old, he became a church organist and choir director for a 300 member church. When Beatlemania hit at age 14, he was motivated to learn guitar and bass guitar while continuing with piano lessons. Ronnie started teaching guitar and piano students at age 16 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he received a B.S. degree in Music Education and Psychology. In 2004 he received a teaching license and certification in music K-12 from the Colorado Department of Education. Ronnie has taught technolgy and music in the Douglas County School District in the Denver metro area since 2002.
by English music songs — Wed Nov 4, 2009 @ 2:36 am
by Lisa — Fri Nov 6, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
1. Teaching in class (particularly with elementary kids)
2. Being able to discuss things during rehearsal w/out stopping
3. A lot of styles of music utilize talk or singing or vamps/chord progessions
4. To test if you've fully memorized something
5. To prepare yourself for performing with distractions (because you will be distracted when you play)
Those are just some off the top of my head...
Hope that helps..
by Mike Lunapiena — Sat Nov 7, 2009 @ 2:36 am