DULCIMER FORUM!

[Erin Rogers]

If you're taking private lessons, how much practice should you do each week?

One important thing to do when you're taking private lessons is to set goals with your instructor. Together you should agree on how much you plan to practice, what you want to acheive through the lessons & in your practice times, etc. If you have clear cut goals, your teacher will be better able to help you get what you want and you will be more happy with what you are learning.

[Lucille Reilly]

Here at bluegrass school we are expected to put in at least 4 hours for every lesson.

Nearly all of my students are adults with day jobs, so they have to fit it in when they can. Four hours won't work for these folks; in fact, one hour is probably pushing things. However, I believe that >thinking about< what to do is also valid practice, even though the instrument isn't nearby. That kind of processing is always good.

[Lee Cagle]

Why do some instructor list the song in their workshop description and some don't?

I list the song(s) that I will include when the workshop is repertoire building as opposed to technique focused or when I think that there is a special reason that someone might want to know the particular tume being taught. For example, I teach a holiday tunes class each year, and repeat students want to be sure that I will not cover songs that they ahve already taken, so I let people know the songs for that class ahead of time.

[Erin Rogers]

Why do some instructor list the song in their workshop description and some don't?

Some workshops/instructors focus primarily on teaching a tune. Others focus more on technique. You will almost definitely learn a tune in these technique-oriented workshops, but that is not the focus therefore it probably won't be listed in the workshop details.

[Jim Woods]

One important thing to do when you're taking private lessons is to set goals with your instructor. Together you should agree on how much you plan to practice, what you want to acheive through the lessons & in your practice times, etc. If you have clear cut goals, your teacher will be better able to help you get what you want and you will be more happy with what you are learning.

This is where a workshop is completely different from a private lesson. In a workshop the teacher sets the goal and the path. They may alter it or vary it based on how the class responds but they should have a clear goal in mind and a way they intend to get there. in a private lesson they may change course completely based on the student's response and needs. Discussing those ahead of time can be a big help but the instructor should not be rigid on how they proceed in a private lesson.

[Lucille Reilly]

Why do some instructors list the song in their workshop description and some don't?

I divulge the title at the workshop. Providing it sooner means that people look up the tune and start learning it (which may be a different version that what I'll be teaching--yikes!).

Learning is a funny thing: nobody wants to be "last" in the class! Of course, there's no such thing as last or first, just that students get it. It's almost like there is a lack of trust that the teacher won't be there for them when they need help. Of course we'll be there. And of course there will be times when the lightbulb may go on a couple weeks later. Face it, workshop teaching requires everyone to go through the same thing at the same pace, but some can get it faster, while others need more time. All of this is okay!

[Erin Rogers]

One important thing to do when you're taking private lessons is to set goals with your instructor. Together you should agree on how much you plan to practice, what you want to acheive through the lessons & in your practice times, etc. If you have clear cut goals, your teacher will be better able to help you get what you want and you will be more happy with what you are learning.

This is where a workshop is completely different from a private lesson. In a workshop the teacher sets the goal and the path. They may alter it or vary it based on how the class responds but they should have a clear goal in mind and a way they intend to get there. in a private lesson they may change course completely based on the student's response and needs. Discussing those ahead of time can be a big help but the instructor should not be rigid on how they proceed in a private lesson.

This is a good point. When you are taking a private lesson, it is all about you, what you want to learn, and how the teacher can help you get there. When you are in a workshop, it is about some specific material the teacher has predetermined to be taught. While a good teacher will try to incorporate material into their workshop to help each individual student, it simply cannot be done all the time. That is the advantage of regular private lessons.

[Lucille Reilly]

Some workshops/instructors focus primarily on teaching a tune. Others focus more on technique. You will almost definitely learn a tune in these technique-oriented workshops, but that is not the focus therefore it probably won't be listed in the workshop details.

Well, I always like to teach a technique alongside a tune. If it's a tune only, well, I just don't do that because I figure you can learn the notes on your own. In a workshop, I'll look at patterns, stroke order, different ways to move, getting from one pattern to the next, that kind of thing, plus a lot of repetition to help make it solid in the mind, eyes and hands.

[Amber Rogers]

Our time is just about up for this months Hammered Dulcimer forum. Thank you all for coming and spending an hour with me about Hammered Dulcimer talk.

Please be aware that we WILL NOT have forums in the months of November and December. The website will undergo a face lift while we all enjoy the holiday season with our families. We'll pick back up in the new year of 2009!

Thanks for coming tonight and have a Wonderful evening!!!

[Lucille Reilly]

Thanks for coming tonight and have a Wonderful evening!!!

Thanks for moderating, Amber!

[Alanrichie]

Thanks for a great topic which I found very helpful especially reading the instructors' points of view. Sorry I missed the live discussion . . . again