Question from a student
26/08/08 20:08 Filed in: General
I am including an email I received from one of my
students today, in part because the question is a
very thoughtful one and aims directly at my
philosophy. I have deleted the students name to
protect their privacy.
Enjoy:
Hi Jake,
As you had mentioned, you are just an E-mail away if I had any questions. I dont want to take advantage of this offer too often, as I know you are very busy and you should be fairly compensated for your time.
I have a question that I cant wait to ask you. So here it is:
Should I go back to the basics and start on easy pieces so that I can more carefully apply all of the left hand/right hand techniques that you have been showing me? Im looking forward to correctly playing each section with a more natural flow, mapping out my fingering more thoughtfully and applying the three steps to a free stroke to each piece I work on. By applying all of what you have pointed out to me using easier pieces and/or the scales may be more beneficial in the long run at the same time solidifying my sight reading.
As a teacher it must be a real balancing act to keep your students interested and tuned into their love of their guitar while at the same time being honest with communicating areas that need improvement. I want you to know that I would not feel disappointed if I had to start over from the beginning. My biggest dream is to play each note with the best sound quality as I can. I am rarely completely satisfied with any of my recordings, even the last time I took lessons in my late twenties.
I remember when I took lessons from you years ago, I really enjoyed the sound quality I was achieving, even at such a beginning level. I also remember feeling more secure and in control of my hands at that time. Working with you again is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I really want to take full advantage of this opportunity. To do so I think I need to let you take a more active lead on how to best approach mastering my instrument. What do you think?
Sincerely,
Hi
I actually look forward to the day that students start asking this essential question because the fact that you asked it indicates to me that you already know the answer to whether or not you need to address the basics.
The answer of course is a resounding YES. Having said this however I don't believe that one necessarily play only simple pieces in order to correct and or improve playing. What is essential however that you do address the basics but within scales, arpeggio studies, slur studies and the like. These need to be isolated and studied very carefully so that you feel absolutely in control of them. Having said that any piece that you play at this point is for your enjoyment and you will find that as you gain control of your hands your "new and improved" skills will almost insert them selves into your pieces simply because it makes so much sense to use them.
The one area I believe might benefit from your selection of some very easy pieces is your music reading ability. This is something that there simply no short cuts to. The reason that I mentioned never memorizing scales is that the process allows you to think of all aspects of all notes that you are playing every single time that you play them.
There is one truism that is very worthwhile remembering and that is "you are your own teacher, I am only your resource person and hopefully your mentor.
Jake
Enjoy:
Hi Jake,
As you had mentioned, you are just an E-mail away if I had any questions. I dont want to take advantage of this offer too often, as I know you are very busy and you should be fairly compensated for your time.
I have a question that I cant wait to ask you. So here it is:
Should I go back to the basics and start on easy pieces so that I can more carefully apply all of the left hand/right hand techniques that you have been showing me? Im looking forward to correctly playing each section with a more natural flow, mapping out my fingering more thoughtfully and applying the three steps to a free stroke to each piece I work on. By applying all of what you have pointed out to me using easier pieces and/or the scales may be more beneficial in the long run at the same time solidifying my sight reading.
As a teacher it must be a real balancing act to keep your students interested and tuned into their love of their guitar while at the same time being honest with communicating areas that need improvement. I want you to know that I would not feel disappointed if I had to start over from the beginning. My biggest dream is to play each note with the best sound quality as I can. I am rarely completely satisfied with any of my recordings, even the last time I took lessons in my late twenties.
I remember when I took lessons from you years ago, I really enjoyed the sound quality I was achieving, even at such a beginning level. I also remember feeling more secure and in control of my hands at that time. Working with you again is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I really want to take full advantage of this opportunity. To do so I think I need to let you take a more active lead on how to best approach mastering my instrument. What do you think?
Sincerely,
Hi
I actually look forward to the day that students start asking this essential question because the fact that you asked it indicates to me that you already know the answer to whether or not you need to address the basics.
The answer of course is a resounding YES. Having said this however I don't believe that one necessarily play only simple pieces in order to correct and or improve playing. What is essential however that you do address the basics but within scales, arpeggio studies, slur studies and the like. These need to be isolated and studied very carefully so that you feel absolutely in control of them. Having said that any piece that you play at this point is for your enjoyment and you will find that as you gain control of your hands your "new and improved" skills will almost insert them selves into your pieces simply because it makes so much sense to use them.
The one area I believe might benefit from your selection of some very easy pieces is your music reading ability. This is something that there simply no short cuts to. The reason that I mentioned never memorizing scales is that the process allows you to think of all aspects of all notes that you are playing every single time that you play them.
There is one truism that is very worthwhile remembering and that is "you are your own teacher, I am only your resource person and hopefully your mentor.
Jake
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