Methods of Musical Instruction

[dr_pretentious]

I've been bartering teaching time with the Pianist. Now that she's in the middle of her Master's thesis, she's been a grad student too long to be able to afford me, but now that I have a child, I'm happy to rack up credit for hours of one-on-one instruction for him with an expert in the Dalcroze method of early childhood music education. By the time the Pianist graduates, Gareth will be old enough for a first session to make sense.

My husband, who looks gift horses in the mouth so often he has a special set of equine dental mirrors, immediately started researching other methods of early childhood music ed. Okay, I really can't blame him. When he was an undergrad, one of his majors was classical guitar, so his opinion on the subject is bound to be more informed than mine.

One evening, while he was doing web searches, we had this conversation:

DAN:
According to the Kodaly method, we're already doing it all wrong.

ME:
Doing what? We're playing music we like and dancing around with him. What could possibly be wrong with that?

DAN:
Kodaly would say a lot of the music we like is too complex for a child his age to be exposed to. He says a very young child should only be exposed to the folk music of the region he lives in.

ME:
So, in our case, the folk music of New Jersey. Right.

DAN:
I'm drawing a blank here.

ME:
Springsteen and Bon Jovi.

DAN:
Do we have to?

ME:
Which do you think Kodaly would approve of more? "Born to Run" or "Dead or Alive?"

DAN:
I don't know. Which do you think would sound better performed by a full children's choir?

Comments

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

My husband, who looks gift horses in the mouth so often he has a special set of equine dental mirrors

My morning tea was in serious danger of being shot all over the screen, there.

[citabria]

My coffee nearly suffered the same fate.

So, on another topic entirely, is it okay if I friend you? When I see you reply to something I wonder how things are going back in the UK but rarely follow up by actually asking! I suspect that following your LJ would be more efficient. ;)

[skyefyr.livejournal.com]

My tea hit the monitor.... And then there was the ensuing coughing fit....

Good grief Dr.P. What are you trying to do to us?

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

She's torturing us with humour and baby-cuteness. Lethal combination.

And I Would Have Gotten Away With It, Too, If It Weren't For You Meddling Kids

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

When we eventually do introduce Gareth to tv, we'll probably start with The Backyardigans (http://www.nickjr.co.uk/shows/backyardigans/index.aspx), which my niece Kate introduced me to. In the Bond movie parody episode, the requisite torture interrogation scene involves a Rube Goldberg tickling device. The penguin character--Bond, of course, because of his natural tuxedo--strains at the straps and says, "Do you think this will make me sing?"

"No," says the villain,"I expect you to laugh. BWAHAHAHAHA!"

Re: And I Would Have Gotten Away With It, Too, If It Weren't For You Meddling Kids

[violet-moon25.livejournal.com]

This morning I got up and my spouse was watching the newest remake of King Kong with our 2 year old (he loves Curious George and apparently wanted to watch the big monkey). The channel was changed before the ape met his demise. So, don't use _us_ as role models. I am not even going to weigh in on the music debate.