Articles on
The Inner Game Of Music
Back
to Basics for Music Teachers
Simplicity never looked so difficult.
After blowing balloons, 200 music teachers.were left
with the task of popping them "which, after failed attempts
at what appeared to be the easiest method, some turned
to the unorthodox.
One woman got up off her chair, placed the balloon on
the seat and then took a leap backwards, mission accomplished.
For the participants of the Ontario Registered Music.
Teachers Association convention at the Skyline Brock
Hotel, it was
a lesson that the simplest of tasks can be the hardest
to perform.
Lecturer Barry Green spent the day breaking down old-schools
of thought, that performing is about picking up an
instrument and playing the notes on the sheet in front
of you.
"
They have a tradition of old school teaching which does
not embrace psychology," he said of music teachers
- in general. Now they must concern themselves with other
factors including a student's mental make-up as well as
physical health and performance anxiety.
The balloon popping and other exercises . gave the
teachers awareness of their own feelings: joy,
frustration, an
illustration. of how their students might feel.
It also gave them insight
on how to deal with these matters.
" We know everything that goes on when everything s wrong,
but we don't know so much about what goes on when things
are right. That's because it's a non-thinking stage, and
we re concerned with what are the conditions that lead
with these stages. We haven't paid attention to that because
we're too carried away with what we're doing. This increases
that awareness of what leads up to the positive experience
said Green.
The teachers left with a greater respect for
simplicity. "The
answers they've already experienced," said Green. "And
by understanding the theory and understanding their own
process they can more quickly structure, a more successful
performance."
Green believes the change. in thought came
20 years ago through international athletic
events
like
the Olympics,
Eastern bloc athletes were accompanied by
not only a coach but also masseurs and psychologists,
acknowledging
that
a number of items can affect one's performance.
Green was the principal bassist for the Cincinnati
Symphony Orchestra for 28 years. He wrote
the book The Inner Game
of Music which spells out his theory.
Trust and awareness were key themes during
the sessions.
Fran Saxby of the ORMTA's Niagara Falls
branch said the conference provides the
teachers
with motivation,
which
is crucial, considering many teach privately
from their homes with little influence
from others.
"
You learn how to trust yourself," she said. "You
know how to breathe, you just have to let go."
The city branch is an active unit,
meeting monthly to exchange ideas and
offer others
support.
The four day conference ends Wednesday.
One of the highlights is the Provincial
Student
Competition,
which will be
held today, 2.5 p.m. in the Brock Foyer.
-Rob Anrusevich
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