Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton

Subject: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: wilco
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 01:30 PM

I'd started a thread about encouraging new players, and Frank came up with an absolute beauty, whcih deserves more notice. He gave some great advice, and among them was this suggestion, which I paraphrase:
"For the experienced musician in the group, try an insturment that you are not familiar with, so that you can learn right along with the novices." Frank said that he uses the bass. In other words, the new players can see you struggle and learn right along with them , although you can provide direction on chord changes, finger positions, timing, etc. What a great idea!!!!

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 02:25 PM

I agree. I had this demonstrated just a week or two ago: A friend who is an adept guitar player and has a lovely voice combined with an impeccable ear, dropped in on a 'training' session with me and two beginning players. My companions froze.

Finally my friend picked up my fiddle (years ago she played fiddle, but dropped it along the way) and played along with us. Everybody relaxed.

Interestingly, she is now playing the fiddle again. Next time I'll have to haul out an autoharp for her. :)

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: M.Ted
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 02:53 PM

I used to flip my guitar over and try to play along with them "left-handed"--only thing was that they got better and I didn't--

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: Peter T.
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 03:01 PM

This is similar to a trick Rick Fielding uses to keep people from being intimidated by new instruments. He fiddles around with God knows what while you watch (like fiddles). The only drawback (apart from yourself ending up having a house littered with weird instruments) is that he has the damndest way of getting good really quickly, while you are still scraping by. But it is sure fun.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 04:41 PM

Yah, it is a trick, but can be an effective one. It DOES let folks know that a little practice works wonders.

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: Frankham
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 02:06 PM

Thanks Wilco48,

Sometimes in a class I will stop playing altogether and just sing. This way the people in the class can see that they can make music by themselves and not have to rely on a "leader". As soon as the class sees that, the levels of skill are increased. It's funny how even a teacher can inadvertently intimidate a student by their proficiency on an instrument. Sometimes I remember that as a teacher I am also a student. The idea is not to make great soloists but to have people experience the joy of making music together. The beauty of folk music is that this can be done on a simple level.

Frank

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 04:57 PM

Or you could get really drunk.

Just kidding, besides I know some guys who ALWAYS play that way.

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: M.Ted
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 11:42 PM

I used to do that too, Frank, and it is kind of amazing the way their playing level increases-- A student later told me that when I put the guitar down and began to sing, it made him feel like I trusted them--

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: harpgirl
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 11:50 PM

...I think this is an excellent idea and when I read it, I thought I would ask the Short Sisters if they knew "Row On". I surmised that if they didn't know it they would try it together with the workshop participants, all of whom were dedicated singers. Kate Seeger knew the chorus and we all worked on it including Kim Wallach and Faye Baird. It was cool! Thanks, Frank!

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: Frankham
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 01:34 PM

M.Ted, great statement! Love it. I believe trust is the most important element in a student-teacher relationship. Some students I've had want to learn how I do "tricks". I had a British student who just wanted to know how I did those little "twiddleybits". The trust wasn't quite there I think because the guidance I tried to give wasn't about "tricks" but imparting musical knowledge that would help him to find his own "twiddleybits". (I guess "licks" would be another way to describe it.) But if the trust is there, so much growth can take place in the student. Sometimes you get a person who has a hard time receiving information without their ego being on the line. Often, they ask irrelevant or sometimes challenging questions with no immediate goal in mind. It's as if they want to show you how much they know. This type of individual can damage a group setting and make others annoyed. The best approach I have found is to be honest, not cruel, but to suggest that they save their questions, and just play. Follow instructions that appear to be "stupid" but will have results. It's amazing how some people would rather talk about music than to play it.

Harpgirl, my honor. I think it's so important to help people to play music and get them interested in participation. To me, it's the basis of a folk music "revival". If people own the music, then they support it. They "own" it by being able to participate in making it.

Mudcatters, I would be interested in hearing about your experiences with groups playing music either teaching or conducting "slow jams" or whatever.
Sharing this kind of information is valuable I think. The more groups making music together, the better, in my opinion.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: wilco
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 11:30 AM

Frank: Thanks. My thoughts exactly.
    About two years ago, I started going to our local Folk Music Assn. monthly meetings (2PM the 1st Sunday of the month). Very rare to have someone new there. Meet in the foodcourt of a local mall, and jamming is not encouraged.
    I ran into people everywhere who had/have talent, but they were never encouraged, and they never had a setting to learn (sloowwwlly).
    I invite everyone, and I ask the new ones if they will play a song, if I accompany them. Most of the people there now are these "newbies," and it is growing BIG.
    Found a sr, center to play weekly, with open stage, and jammimg encouraged. Crowds of 250 to 300 people.
    If this music doesn't thrive, pert of the reason for it's demise is that musicians couldn't "leave their egos at the door," and try to encouage the shy novices.

Thanks for ideas Frank!!!

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 12:10 PM

If this music doesn't thrive, part of the reason for it's demise is that musicians couldn't "leave their egos at the door," and try to encouage the shy novices.


Very well said Wilco

Spot

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: Frankham
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 05:20 PM

Hi Wilco,

300 people is fantastic! What part of the country are you in? I think that if this format is offered, they will come.

Please stay in touch either through Mudcat or e-mail me and let me know what's happening with this.

We are starting something similar in Georgia. The weather is getting better and we are encouraging folks to meet at a little nature preserve close to home. Maybe Old Time Slow Jam and folksing combined.

The ego thing is pretty well answered by those who do the coffee-house circuit. They can beat the doors down at their local open mic.

I am interested in this development....people getting together places to slow jam, play and sing.

Frank

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: wilco
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 05:38 PM

Chattanooga, Tennessee. Just across the georgia line, off I-75.
   We have at least a dozen requests a week to play somewhere, and I'll speculate why.
   1. Leave the "big ego" folks out, and encourage everyone else.
   2. respect one anothers' abilities and limitations. Dont
      embarass anyone.
   3. Try to entertain people, as opposed to showing them "how good
      you are," or "educating" them. Crowds don't come to get
      proselytised; they want to be entertained.
   4. Encourage audience participation, sing alongs, silly
      competitions, personal commentary. Leave the politics
      and religion at home.

    Wouldn't it be nice to promote a "slo-jam" movement, to encourage
everyone to develop their musical capabilities!!!!

Subject: RE: Great Teaching Idea from Frank Hamilton
From: harpgirl
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 09:11 PM

here here!!! Mr. Hamilton, where in Georgia will you be convening? I would like to attend since I am in North Florida.