A two-part lesson consisting of text and video is now available for free online!
The tune being taught is James Alley Blues.
The written lesson including tabs and analysis is available at wholenote.com
The video lesson is available on my Youtube channel.
Enjoy!
I just uncovered some recordings from way back in 2007. These are both from my senior guitar recital at Kenyon College. “Moe ‘Uhane” is a piece composed by the Hawaiian slack key guitarist Sonny Chillingworth. The “Blues in G” is based on an arrangement of a guitar accompaniment played by the Texas bluesman/songster Mance Lipscomb.
One of my primary interests in teaching and studying music is the relationship and dynamic that develops between the student and teacher. As a teacher it is my responsibility to ensure that I guide my students toward a working knowledge, technical competency, and appreciation and enjoyment of the musical instrument and style they are learning to play. Ideally, a student shares these same goals. However, for many students, and especially with younger children, the concept of playing an instrument is much more appealing than the challenging and often frustrating learning process. This includes developing the physical capabilities required of the instrument, learning the musical fundamentals of notation and rhythm, and dedicating oneself to the sheer repetition and regular practice that is necessary to reach the desired level of proficiency.
To successfully achieve my goal as a teacher, it is essential to cater to each student’s unique style of learning. This may require temporarily compromising a sound and logical lesson plan for a tangential, but more immediately rewarding and impactful impromptu lesson. The advantage to this flexibility is that it enables a teacher to adjust during the course of a lesson to maximize the benefit to the student. Examples of such spur of the moment adjustments include teaching a child a theme from a Mario Bros game instead of “The Ode to Joy,” or allowing him to “compose” and write his own melody, which for that student made reading the notation more fun and rewarding.
It is not solely in my role as a teacher, nor only with children, that I see compromises and negotiations shaping the experience of learning music. In my lessons with my jazz guitar teacher unplanned topics are openly explored with the understanding that prepared materials will always be available for discussion at a later date. Similarly, my teachers of Hindustani (North Indian) music constantly assess my understanding of the music and adapt their teaching accordingly. Lessons are designed and unfold in real time, dictated by the dynamic between teacher and student and the ability of the teacher to recognize the best method to advance the student’s progress.
It is the freedom of the private lesson format, void of strict curricula requirements, that makes private music education so effective. Private music lessons are one of the few opportunities to engage in a meaningful educational activity, acquire and develop a new artistic and creative skill, and experience learning in a completely personalized manner. I can only imagine how much I would have benefited if this same flexibility were regularly practiced in mandatory subjects such as math, English, and science when I was a student.
*As negotiation and compromise are two of my primary interests in music education I suspect there will be a number of posts sharing this title. This is only the first of many.
I am currently offering private guitar, banjo, and mandolin lessons in Ko Samui, Thailand. I am also available for correspondence lessons via Skype or individualized instructional videos.
Lamai Beach
This is Lamai Beach, which is regarded as second only to Chaweng Beach as the most desirable stretch of beach on the island of Ko Samui. This is about a ten minute walk from my apartment. The interior of the island is densely forested mountainous terrain.
Trainers and students at Jun Muay Thai 10/10/12
The gym is an open air structure with one mirrored wall, two boxing rings, padded floors, and a row of 12-15 heavy bags and tire punching bags. There are often between 8-10 trainers to direct shadowboxing, coach on the bags, spar, and do padwork with clients.
Trainers and students at Jun Muay Thai 11/10/12
These were a couple of blog posts written upon first arriving in Ko Samui, just getting around to posting them now:
10/4/12 Arrival in Koh Samui:
After a brutal schedule of flying and sitting in airports I arrived at the Koh Samui airport at 7:00 am, exhausted and excited to be here. The flight in was stunningly beautiful with views of the ocean, beaches, mountains, and jungle serving as a backdrop to the man-made attractions visible from the plane, including the Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai. The airport is essentially a landing strip with a tiny open-air terminal with a single conveyor belt at the baggage claim. The drive to Jun Muay Thai is harrowing, following narrow winding roads through crowded streets congested with cars and motor scooters. We finally turn from the treacherous main highway onto a more palatable country road which is home to Jun Muay Thai. It is approximately 7:30 when I arrive. Jun, the owner and head trainer, comes to greet me and get me established in my apartment, which far exceeds my expectations in terms of space, cleanliness, and quality. I spend the day getting acclimated to my new surroundings, buying groceries and essentials such as towels, water, etc., and trying not to get run over.
10/5/12: First Day Training Continue reading
I am attempting to add new content to this site on a more regular basis. Now that I have finished with my MA I can again focus on music and education. For those interested here is a link to my thesis which deals with cross-cultural pedagogy in North Indian classical music.
Not so much a blog entry as an upcoming event. Thursday November 25 the UBC African Drum and Dance Ensemble will be performing at 12:00 noon in the Music building. The performance is free and open to the public.
