Learning to Learn
learn - gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in (something) by study, experience, or being taught. As the years pass it is easy for teachers to forget what it is like to learn something new for the first time. Since many of us began playing when we were young we can’t remember what it was like not to know that there are groups of two and three black notes on the piano. Or that the bow fits around the spinner when packing up.
This summer I decided to practice learning. One skill I had absolutely no knowledge or experience, learning to play guitar. The other skill, swimming, I had done as a kid but I’m not very good at all. I wanted to be reminded what it feels like to be out of your area of expertise and to learn. I also wanted to learn these skills. Here are some thoughts from what I have experienced so far.
- Don’t Assume – After playing the violin and piano for so many years, there are concepts that we forget to verbalize. With a small child it could be reading left to right, or reading both treble and bass clef at the same time. Teaching kids that pitches go up and down. Little violinist think that if their bow arm is higher in the air, it must be up, when really it’s down in pitch. As the learner, I appreciated when the coach broke the step down into a smaller step. She said, “buy this piece of equipment.” “I like these goggles.” “You are still blowing out air when you come up. Blow it all out under the water.” Whether it’s venturing into a music store, or shopping for a violin on eBay (heaven forbid!) my clear communication helps set people at ease while learning a new skill. Also giving parents a clear thing to look for in practicing. “Be sure the wrists aren’t collapsing.
- Back to Basics – At first my coach apologized for making me do the beginning steps. I actually had no idea what the beginning steps were so she could have told me about anything and I would have done it. As the newbie, I do not realize what I do not know. I’m applying this in teaching adults. Whether music is completely new for them or they are coming back to it, there is something comforting about doing the simple exercises and having success. Even as an adult.
- Small Steps – I had 3 things to practice. Very clear, specific and in an order. After the first day, I thought I was ready for the next step. After the second day, I realized, I understood the concept, but it wasn’t second nature to me. I needed the physical repetition of following the steps in order. There is no substitute for logging in the practice time.
- Progress – I set aside practicing guitar for a couple weeks due to other responsibilities like laundry and cleaning. When I came back to guitar, I was amazed how easily my fingers moved between the two chords that I had drilled for a week. D chord, then A chord, D then A, over and over and over. After two weeks of not playing, my fingers knew where to go and I didn’t have to look down or even really think about it. Helping my students and parents step back and see the big picture of progress. With weekly lessons we are often in the thick of learning and we don’t step back to see our progress and growth. I was more motivated to practice after I realized that my practice time was paying off.
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