What are you screaming?

I like this. It's a jazz pianist giving a talk to some students. He discusses some really important ideas about playing music. The basic one is that "all music is played by ear" and that what we must work on is how well we hear. We should develop the vividness of what we hear inside. 

When you imagine a phrase, how vivid is the articulation or the color of the sound, or the direction of the line, etc.? If you are screaming it inside, to the point that it must come out, you are ready to play it.

Early Training in Music Affects Brain Development

New Scientist article. 

Study linking music and emotion

Here is a brief LA Times article about a study by neuroscientists showing how perception of emotional states in others is strongly linked to musical elements, particularly pitch. The questions of how, when and why music developed relative to language in our evolution is one that is far from settled, and is one I am fascinated by as a music educator thinking about the role of music in society.
Here is the final line of the article: "The findings, the authors write, "lend support to early speculations by Darwin, elaborated upon by several contemporary theorists, that emotional communication is a fundamental link between these domains [music and language] and reflects their common evolutionary origin."

Top 10 skills children learn from the arts

Washington Post article: 

Top 10 skills children learn from the arts

Education Post: How Finland Did It

Not on music, but still...

Forty years ago Finland revamped their education system. These days they top every list comparing outcomes. Here's how they did it. (really short article)

Link

Passion Grows With Skill

Parents often encourage their kids to "follow their passions." This seemingly good (or at least innocent) advice turns out to have some problems. Certainly for some, it works well. If you are lucky enough to have a clear passion early on, and are supported in pursuing it, lucky you! Most, however, don't have such a driving passion early on, and as they are exposed to and pursue various interests, these pursuits inevitably become difficult at some point, leading to frustration, and some thought like "perhaps I'm not really meant to do this."


Below is an excellent article advocating for a different mindset. One in which we should allow passion to grow alongside skills. That as we overcome obstacles and acquire competence, passion tends to follow, usually connected with feelings of accomplishment and rooted in an earned self-esteem.

My thoughts in reading the article, of course, went to parents and young music students. I've been aware for a long time that this is, in fact, the real pattern. That students that somehow do enough work to build the skills of music-making are the ones who reap the many benefits, including in some cases a growing passion to make it central to their lives for ever.

Piece of Cake!

Anyone who has practiced anything is familiar with the problem. One day you work on some spots and get them right; the next day, when you come back it feels as if you have to start all over. Sometimes this cycle seems to go on and on. If this is all too familiar to you, try this strategy. Your solution may just be a piece of cake! (chocolate for me, please)

CelloBello Masterclasses

just promoting some sure-to-be wonderful cello masterclasses that will be live streamed from the New England Conservatory. see this link.

all classes are 2-5 Eastern Standard Time and available through CelloBello.com

October 17
Paul Katz

January 23
Natasha Brofsky

February 6
Yeesun Kim

March 27
Laurence Lesser

Dana Gioia advocating for better arts education

Dana Gioia's 2007 Commencement address at Stanford University has been reprinted in several places and versions. The version below was in the Wall Street Journal (link).

Key point for me:

"The purpose of arts education is not to produce more artists, though that is a byproduct. The real purpose of arts education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society."

Early Music Lessons Have Longtime Benefits By PERRI KLASS, M.D.

Early Music Lessons Have Longtime Benefits

By PERRI KLASS, M.D.

Michele Higa George on what Suzuki music education is really about

I listen to color

Study: Playing Music in Groups Increases Empathy

Music of kindness: Playing together strengthens empathy in children June 13, 2012 in Psychology & Psychiatry

A year-long study on children’s music-making indicates that playing music in groups on a regular basis greatly improves a child’s ability to empathise with others.

...and more Why Music?

Two articles below from the same LA Times blog:

Favorite line from the first one: "I've just gotten used to repeating one phrase until I can play it at the proper speed, and well, and musically."

Could this skill have broader cognitive effects?

The second post is on how participation in music--not just passive listening--is necessary in order to get the broader cognitive benefits.

Why Music?

My belief is that quality music education should be considered basic and fundamental to any education, and the earlier the better. I occasionally post articles, videos, etc. that support this idea.

Mental benefits of music lessons echo years after practice ends

By Melissa Healy, Los Angeles TimesFor the Booster Shots Blog

August 21, 2012, 11:00 a.m.