Kinesthetic/Random-Abstract
Laura Bourdo
I'm having a marvelous conversation with someone offlist, and something she said spurred the most amazing Duh/Aha! moment for me. I wonder if someone here can give me some more feedback on it.
I was saying that the only way Liam seems to engage is when I take him OUT places. Then I wrote this:
Oh, duh. I just realized something as I wrote that. This type of learning
of his -- kinesthetic -- is part of the reason I pulled him from school.
They simply couldn't provide him with that sort of a learning environment,
and I knew I could offer that better at home. He's also a random-abstract
thinker, which doesn't lend itself to the linear style used in schools. My
duh moment here is that, since he initiated this college prep thing, I've
reverted to the opposite of what he needs. How did I let that get past me?
So, obviously, I need to return to what works for him, instead of what works for me. The problem (I think) is that this works fine for almost everything, but how does one learn something like physics, for example, without calculus (both of which are on his want-to-do/put-off-doing list), and how can we do calculus in a kinesthetic way?
All of this hinges, of course, on his desire to pursue it anyway. I haven't reverted that far. I'm just thinking that if I can show him how to approach a subject he's expressed an interest in, in a way that appeals to the way his mind works, maybe that will take care of a lot of the problem.
Any ideas or resources to stretch my limited brain?
Laura B.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I was saying that the only way Liam seems to engage is when I take him OUT places. Then I wrote this:
Oh, duh. I just realized something as I wrote that. This type of learning
of his -- kinesthetic -- is part of the reason I pulled him from school.
They simply couldn't provide him with that sort of a learning environment,
and I knew I could offer that better at home. He's also a random-abstract
thinker, which doesn't lend itself to the linear style used in schools. My
duh moment here is that, since he initiated this college prep thing, I've
reverted to the opposite of what he needs. How did I let that get past me?
So, obviously, I need to return to what works for him, instead of what works for me. The problem (I think) is that this works fine for almost everything, but how does one learn something like physics, for example, without calculus (both of which are on his want-to-do/put-off-doing list), and how can we do calculus in a kinesthetic way?
All of this hinges, of course, on his desire to pursue it anyway. I haven't reverted that far. I'm just thinking that if I can show him how to approach a subject he's expressed an interest in, in a way that appeals to the way his mind works, maybe that will take care of a lot of the problem.
Any ideas or resources to stretch my limited brain?
Laura B.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robyn Coburn
<<<<So, obviously, I need to return to what works for him, instead of what
works for me. The problem (I think) is that this works fine for almost
everything, but how does one learn something like physics, for example,
without calculus (both of which are on his want-to-do/put-off-doing list),
and how can we do calculus in a kinesthetic way?>>>>
Sometimes this can be as simple as being able to be moving while reading,
talking about or looking at the information. To take an example from
personal experience, some actors can only memorize their scripts by walking
around, while murmuring the lines repeatedly, or by connecting the dialogue
to specific blocking (staging); others want to be still until they have
learnt the lines, reading over and over; others can recall everything after
one or two table read throughs. The kinesthetics are the ones tapping their
fingers on the tables during lectures.
It never occurred to me that I needed one single moment of calculus when I
started Higher Physics at University. I guess I "knew" the high school level
calculus then, having just finished Year 12, but not now. To be sure there
were some math type formulae in the Astronomy portion, but I remember a lot
of stuff that really had just ordinary arithmetic - especially in
Electronics. I do remember the sense of wonder at Physics - it all comes
down to physics; biology becomes chemical reactions within cells, chemistry
at the atomic level becomes physics - atoms lining up or not, electrons
moving back and forth, parcels of energy rotating at unimaginable speeds.
I know Einstein as portrayed in a movie claimed that it was the math that
was his weakness. Anyone know if that was true?
Robyn L. Coburn
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Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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works for me. The problem (I think) is that this works fine for almost
everything, but how does one learn something like physics, for example,
without calculus (both of which are on his want-to-do/put-off-doing list),
and how can we do calculus in a kinesthetic way?>>>>
Sometimes this can be as simple as being able to be moving while reading,
talking about or looking at the information. To take an example from
personal experience, some actors can only memorize their scripts by walking
around, while murmuring the lines repeatedly, or by connecting the dialogue
to specific blocking (staging); others want to be still until they have
learnt the lines, reading over and over; others can recall everything after
one or two table read throughs. The kinesthetics are the ones tapping their
fingers on the tables during lectures.
It never occurred to me that I needed one single moment of calculus when I
started Higher Physics at University. I guess I "knew" the high school level
calculus then, having just finished Year 12, but not now. To be sure there
were some math type formulae in the Astronomy portion, but I remember a lot
of stuff that really had just ordinary arithmetic - especially in
Electronics. I do remember the sense of wonder at Physics - it all comes
down to physics; biology becomes chemical reactions within cells, chemistry
at the atomic level becomes physics - atoms lining up or not, electrons
moving back and forth, parcels of energy rotating at unimaginable speeds.
I know Einstein as portrayed in a movie claimed that it was the math that
was his weakness. Anyone know if that was true?
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.782 / Virus Database: 528 - Release Date: 10/22/2004
Andy Holly Clarke
"The kinesthetics are the ones tapping their
fingers on the tables during lectures."
i have only been skimming this thread, but this line really hit me hard.
all through school, high school especially, i have bounced my leg up and
down (or sometimes twirled my pen/pencil). i have noticed that i need to
actually write notes to get it into my head better, but i never thought that
the leg bouncing up and down, up and down was actually helping too.
i will have to look more into this thread. maybe it will help me understand
even better how i learn.
thanks,
holly
fingers on the tables during lectures."
i have only been skimming this thread, but this line really hit me hard.
all through school, high school especially, i have bounced my leg up and
down (or sometimes twirled my pen/pencil). i have noticed that i need to
actually write notes to get it into my head better, but i never thought that
the leg bouncing up and down, up and down was actually helping too.
i will have to look more into this thread. maybe it will help me understand
even better how i learn.
thanks,
holly
catherine aceto
If I'm not in a situation where it makes sense to take notes, I have to doodle while listening to someone lecture. Otherwise, I can't stay "grounded" to the reality long enough to stay there and not go wandering off in my head. I also bounce my leg up and down (which used to drive my mother (a very still sort of person) crazy when I lived at home -- she laughingly (and not at all hurtfully) told me that I looked like a junkie in need of a fix).
-Cat
-Cat
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Holly Clarke
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Kinesthetic/Random-Abstract
"The kinesthetics are the ones tapping their
fingers on the tables during lectures."
i have only been skimming this thread, but this line really hit me hard.
all through school, high school especially, i have bounced my leg up and
down (or sometimes twirled my pen/pencil).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
katherand2003
How about looking up real life uses of calculus? I looked it up on
one of my fave sites:
From HowStuffWorks http://www.howstuffworks.com/
How M1 Tanks Work
The M1 can withstand an attack from any tank out there -- including
another M1. Learn all about the toughest armored land vehicle in the
world.
http://people.howstuffworks.com/m1-tank6.htm
How Cruise Control Systems Work
Cruise control is already an amazing system, and it's evolving into
something a lot more powerful. Two companies are developing a more
advanced cruise control that can automatically adjust a car's speed
to maintain a safe following distance. Learn how cruise control
works and about the adaptive systems in development.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cruise-control3.htm
--- In [email protected], "Laura Bourdo"
<LauraBourdo@h...> wrote:
for almost everything, but how does one learn something like
physics, for example, without calculus (both of which are on his
want-to-do/put-off-doing list), and how can we do calculus in a
kinesthetic way?
one of my fave sites:
From HowStuffWorks http://www.howstuffworks.com/
How M1 Tanks Work
The M1 can withstand an attack from any tank out there -- including
another M1. Learn all about the toughest armored land vehicle in the
world.
http://people.howstuffworks.com/m1-tank6.htm
How Cruise Control Systems Work
Cruise control is already an amazing system, and it's evolving into
something a lot more powerful. Two companies are developing a more
advanced cruise control that can automatically adjust a car's speed
to maintain a safe following distance. Learn how cruise control
works and about the adaptive systems in development.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cruise-control3.htm
--- In [email protected], "Laura Bourdo"
<LauraBourdo@h...> wrote:
> So, obviously, I need to return to what works for him, instead ofwhat works for me. The problem (I think) is that this works fine
for almost everything, but how does one learn something like
physics, for example, without calculus (both of which are on his
want-to-do/put-off-doing list), and how can we do calculus in a
kinesthetic way?
>
crazeemom77043
--- In [email protected], "katherand2003"
<katherand2003@y...> wrote:
Laura
<katherand2003@y...> wrote:
>This is AWESOME!! Thanks for the link.
>
> How about looking up real life uses of calculus? I looked it up on
> one of my fave sites:
>
> From HowStuffWorks http://www.howstuffworks.com/
Laura
Jen R.
I like this book (for me)
Calculus Lite (Third Edition)
by Frank Morgan
Book Description
Calculus Lite breaks the mold of heavyweight calculus books and presents a straightforward introduction to calculus. The author uses an intuitive approach to explain real world problems and then develops a rigorous mathematical treatment for their solution. Standard preliminary topics like trigonometry and limits are introduced by using them in context. This book can serve as an excellent tutorial for self-study and exam preparation. It is also currently being used as a text for beginning courses at major universities and colleges.
---------------------------------
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Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Calculus Lite (Third Edition)
by Frank Morgan
Book Description
Calculus Lite breaks the mold of heavyweight calculus books and presents a straightforward introduction to calculus. The author uses an intuitive approach to explain real world problems and then develops a rigorous mathematical treatment for their solution. Standard preliminary topics like trigonometry and limits are introduced by using them in context. This book can serve as an excellent tutorial for self-study and exam preparation. It is also currently being used as a text for beginning courses at major universities and colleges.
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
crazeemom77043
I found this book yesterday -- Liam says he likes the look of it, and
started going through it last night. It's on physics, but includes
the necessary math. (Doesn't actually look like there's much
calculus in there. Highest it seems to be is trig.) It's called
Physics Demystified, by Stan Gibilisco.
From the back cover:
Now anyone with an interest in the physical sciences can master
physics -- without formal training or drowning in a sea of
complicated formulas and equations. In Physics Demystified best-
selling author Stan Gibilisco offers a fun, effective, and totally
painless way to learn the fundamentals and general concepts of
physics.
With Physics Demystified you master the subject one simple step at a
time â" at your own speed. Unlike most books on physics, general
principles are presented first â" and the details follow. In order to
make the learning process as clear and simple as possible, heavy-duty
math, formulas, and equations are kept to a minimum. This unique self-
teaching guide offers questions at the end of each chapter and
section to pinpoint weaknesses, and a 100-question final exam to
reinforce the entire book. <Me: I don't know about THIS. :-)>
Simple enough for a beginner but challenging enough for an advanced
student, Physics Demystified is your direct route to learning or
brushing up on physics.
HEREâS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO:
* Understand the math used in physical science
* Solve mass/force/acceleration problems
* Create mathematical models of physical phenomena
* Perform distance vs. time calculations
* Determine potential and kinetic energy
* Calculate the wavelength of sounds and radio signals
* Understand visible light interference patterns
* Calculate the energy and frequency of a moving particle
* Understand atomic structure
* Learn about electric current, voltage, resistance, power, and
energy
started going through it last night. It's on physics, but includes
the necessary math. (Doesn't actually look like there's much
calculus in there. Highest it seems to be is trig.) It's called
Physics Demystified, by Stan Gibilisco.
From the back cover:
Now anyone with an interest in the physical sciences can master
physics -- without formal training or drowning in a sea of
complicated formulas and equations. In Physics Demystified best-
selling author Stan Gibilisco offers a fun, effective, and totally
painless way to learn the fundamentals and general concepts of
physics.
With Physics Demystified you master the subject one simple step at a
time â" at your own speed. Unlike most books on physics, general
principles are presented first â" and the details follow. In order to
make the learning process as clear and simple as possible, heavy-duty
math, formulas, and equations are kept to a minimum. This unique self-
teaching guide offers questions at the end of each chapter and
section to pinpoint weaknesses, and a 100-question final exam to
reinforce the entire book. <Me: I don't know about THIS. :-)>
Simple enough for a beginner but challenging enough for an advanced
student, Physics Demystified is your direct route to learning or
brushing up on physics.
HEREâS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO:
* Understand the math used in physical science
* Solve mass/force/acceleration problems
* Create mathematical models of physical phenomena
* Perform distance vs. time calculations
* Determine potential and kinetic energy
* Calculate the wavelength of sounds and radio signals
* Understand visible light interference patterns
* Calculate the energy and frequency of a moving particle
* Understand atomic structure
* Learn about electric current, voltage, resistance, power, and
energy
Holly Furgason
Einstein, though he had a decent grasp of mathematics campared to
many of today's college students, needed the help of a mathematician
to turn his general theory of relativity into a mathematical formula,
the Einstein equation (*not* E=mc2 but another one). There is a well
known mathematician whose name escapes me now who never learned
Calculus.
I read a lot of math and physics without even knowing how to read the
formulae presented let alone what it all means. It's even addressed
in the book It Must Be Beautiful: Great equations of Modern Science.
Roger Penrose in his essay The Rediscovery of Gravity wrote:
"Before we begin, a few words about reading mathematical equations
may be helpful...I recommend a procedure I normally adopt myself
...That is more or less, to ignore that line and skip over to the
next line of actual text...After a while armed with new confidence,
one may return to that neglected equation and try to pick out the
salient features...If not then don't be afraid to leave the equation
behind altogether."
The act of reading the text about unknown math and physics is a
lesson in and of itself. We don't need to be equipped with a perfect
sequential knowledge to learn and grow. Math and physics are
fascinating and jumping in over our heads can be a whole lot of fun!
Holly
2 COOL 4 SCHOOL
Unschooling t-shirts and more.
http://www.cafepress.com/2cool4school
--- In [email protected], "Robyn Coburn"
<dezigna@c...> wrote:
many of today's college students, needed the help of a mathematician
to turn his general theory of relativity into a mathematical formula,
the Einstein equation (*not* E=mc2 but another one). There is a well
known mathematician whose name escapes me now who never learned
Calculus.
I read a lot of math and physics without even knowing how to read the
formulae presented let alone what it all means. It's even addressed
in the book It Must Be Beautiful: Great equations of Modern Science.
Roger Penrose in his essay The Rediscovery of Gravity wrote:
"Before we begin, a few words about reading mathematical equations
may be helpful...I recommend a procedure I normally adopt myself
...That is more or less, to ignore that line and skip over to the
next line of actual text...After a while armed with new confidence,
one may return to that neglected equation and try to pick out the
salient features...If not then don't be afraid to leave the equation
behind altogether."
The act of reading the text about unknown math and physics is a
lesson in and of itself. We don't need to be equipped with a perfect
sequential knowledge to learn and grow. Math and physics are
fascinating and jumping in over our heads can be a whole lot of fun!
Holly
2 COOL 4 SCHOOL
Unschooling t-shirts and more.
http://www.cafepress.com/2cool4school
--- In [email protected], "Robyn Coburn"
<dezigna@c...> wrote:
> <<<<So, obviously, I need to return to what works for him, insteadof what
> works for me. The problem (I think) is that this works fine foralmost
> everything, but how does one learn something like physics, forexample,
> without calculus (both of which are on his want-to-do/put-off-doinglist),
> and how can we do calculus in a kinesthetic way?>>>>reading,
>
> Sometimes this can be as simple as being able to be moving while
> talking about or looking at the information. To take an example fromwalking
> personal experience, some actors can only memorize their scripts by
> around, while murmuring the lines repeatedly, or by connecting thedialogue
> to specific blocking (staging); others want to be still until theyhave
> learnt the lines, reading over and over; others can recalleverything after
> one or two table read throughs. The kinesthetics are the onestapping their
> fingers on the tables during lectures.when I
>
> It never occurred to me that I needed one single moment of calculus
> started Higher Physics at University. I guess I "knew" the highschool level
> calculus then, having just finished Year 12, but not now. To besure there
> were some math type formulae in the Astronomy portion, but Iremember a lot
> of stuff that really had just ordinary arithmetic - especially incomes
> Electronics. I do remember the sense of wonder at Physics - it all
> down to physics; biology becomes chemical reactions within cells,chemistry
> at the atomic level becomes physics - atoms lining up or not,electrons
> moving back and forth, parcels of energy rotating at unimaginablespeeds.
>math that
> I know Einstein as portrayed in a movie claimed that it was the
> was his weakness. Anyone know if that was true?
>
> Robyn L. Coburn
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.782 / Virus Database: 528 - Release Date: 10/22/2004
Holly Furgason
A few good books on math and physics that are understandable to
anyone:
The Theories of Relativity by that cute little physicist himself,
Albert Einstein. I picked mine up new at Walden Books for about $6.
His ability to explain such complex ideas is itself genius. I would
recommend Einstein over Hawkings any day.
E=mc2: The biography of the world's most famous formula. Explains
exactly what the formula means and why it revolutionized physics and
allow us to develope the Bomb.
My Mind is Open: The Mathematical Journeys of Paul Erdos by Bruce
Schechter. Erdos was the most prolific mathematician of the 20th
century. Gives a rare look into the world of mathematics and is a
great introduction to real mathematics, not just arithmatic.
The Realm of ALgebra by Isaac "Potty Mouth" Asimov. The first math
book I read that conveyed the excitment and beauty of mathematics.
The name "Potty Mouth" was given to him after we read his book on
humor. He is refered to as nothing else in our home. :-)
Anything by Richard Feynman especially Six Easy Pieces.
Beyond Numeracy; Ruminations of A Numbers Man by John Allen Paulos
A great book that belongs in the home library! A collection of math
essays that are entertaining and enlightening. Each short essay can
be read on its own in a matter of minutes.
There are more books listed in the HUG book store
http://www.geocities.com/mhfurgason/hug/hsbooks.html and with my
article on Reading Math
http://www.geocities.com/mhfurgason/hug/math.html but these are some
that really stand out.
Holly
2 COOL 4 SCHOOL
Christmas gifts for the unschooler on your list!
http://www.cafepress.com/2cool4school
anyone:
The Theories of Relativity by that cute little physicist himself,
Albert Einstein. I picked mine up new at Walden Books for about $6.
His ability to explain such complex ideas is itself genius. I would
recommend Einstein over Hawkings any day.
E=mc2: The biography of the world's most famous formula. Explains
exactly what the formula means and why it revolutionized physics and
allow us to develope the Bomb.
My Mind is Open: The Mathematical Journeys of Paul Erdos by Bruce
Schechter. Erdos was the most prolific mathematician of the 20th
century. Gives a rare look into the world of mathematics and is a
great introduction to real mathematics, not just arithmatic.
The Realm of ALgebra by Isaac "Potty Mouth" Asimov. The first math
book I read that conveyed the excitment and beauty of mathematics.
The name "Potty Mouth" was given to him after we read his book on
humor. He is refered to as nothing else in our home. :-)
Anything by Richard Feynman especially Six Easy Pieces.
Beyond Numeracy; Ruminations of A Numbers Man by John Allen Paulos
A great book that belongs in the home library! A collection of math
essays that are entertaining and enlightening. Each short essay can
be read on its own in a matter of minutes.
There are more books listed in the HUG book store
http://www.geocities.com/mhfurgason/hug/hsbooks.html and with my
article on Reading Math
http://www.geocities.com/mhfurgason/hug/math.html but these are some
that really stand out.
Holly
2 COOL 4 SCHOOL
Christmas gifts for the unschooler on your list!
http://www.cafepress.com/2cool4school
pam sorooshian
On Oct 29, 2004, at 10:29 PM, Holly Furgason wrote:
listen to other mathematicians present their work, they usually do NOT
understand a lot of what the other guy is presenting at the time. They
get the drift of it - they listen for ideas. If they want to understand
the details, they read the person's published papers and go over and
over it.
People who seem "good at math" are often simply not expecting to "get"
everything, while those who are thinking they're not "good" at it are
thinking that because they're aware of a lot going over their heads.
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
> Math and physics are fascinating and jumping in over our heads canI'm a statistician/economist. When mathematicians go to conferences and
> be a whole lot of fun!
listen to other mathematicians present their work, they usually do NOT
understand a lot of what the other guy is presenting at the time. They
get the drift of it - they listen for ideas. If they want to understand
the details, they read the person's published papers and go over and
over it.
People who seem "good at math" are often simply not expecting to "get"
everything, while those who are thinking they're not "good" at it are
thinking that because they're aware of a lot going over their heads.
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
[email protected]
I thought of editing down the stuff below, but as it flowed out all in one
rush, I figured hey--people can skip it! <g>
In a message dated 10/30/2004 8:43:37 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
pamsoroosh@... writes:
People who seem "good at math" are often simply not expecting to "get"
everything, while those who are thinking they're not "good" at it are
thinking that because they're aware of a lot going over their heads.
========
I think reading music notation is that way too.
Some people are good enough at at their instrument and sight reading that
they can just pick up and play something pretty complicated from the notation.
But most have to work through it, figure out what is meant (especially if it's
notation of a traditionally-non-written form, where you can't write it down
exactly as it's intended to be played -- like rock or bluegrass), and go through
it several times, and then keep using the music. So it's more like reading a
poem aloud in a foreign language for most people, maybe. You need to work
through each phrase, find out what it means, double-check your accent, learn to
do it without tongue-stumbling, learn to do it so that you sound like a
native, and a native who understands it and is reading well, too.
But I think when beginners to reading music see the music, they balk and
freeze up, thinking "reading" is coming to a point where they just see it and it
comes out of their hands or mouth.
And that's even much harder, reading music vocally. Most people will play
it out on a piano (or have someone else do that) the first many times. They're
still reading along, but there are intervals (jumps from note to note) that
are just difficult to guess. Maybe in that case it's like a dancer reading
someone else's choreographic notations. They're not going to hold the book in
hand and dance the whole thing as intened. They're going to study little
sections at a time and eventually put it all together.
So some people say "I can't read music" because in their imaginations they
have overshot the mark most people who feel themelves to be competent music
readers have settled on.
And there are people who can write a tune down as they hear it (but will ask
for pauses or second hearings, maybe), but they're rare and have a
particularly concentrated/freakish talent. Y'know how people will videotape a movie in
a theatre nowadays (in Asian countries, the stereotype goes <g>) and then make
copies? There are stories of people having gone to Gilbert and Sullivan
operettas in the1890s, writing music down as they sat, and publishing it the next
day or so. I'm guessing maybe hey had friends with them to also swipe lyrics
and help them remember hazy parts. Maybe they went back twice to
double-check their notes. <g>
That's a dying art, in the face of modern technology. Even working from a
recording like a dictophone transcriptionist is too much work when one can play
the tune on a MIDI keyboard and have a computer program throw a basic guess at
putting it into notation. Then with a mouse and the pulldown menus of other
people's programs, it can be tweaked and polished, other voices added, and
then the computer can read it all back in the instruments' voices you've
specified, or you can print it out for live musicians with instruments made out of
wood or metal or something. <bwg>
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
rush, I figured hey--people can skip it! <g>
In a message dated 10/30/2004 8:43:37 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
pamsoroosh@... writes:
People who seem "good at math" are often simply not expecting to "get"
everything, while those who are thinking they're not "good" at it are
thinking that because they're aware of a lot going over their heads.
========
I think reading music notation is that way too.
Some people are good enough at at their instrument and sight reading that
they can just pick up and play something pretty complicated from the notation.
But most have to work through it, figure out what is meant (especially if it's
notation of a traditionally-non-written form, where you can't write it down
exactly as it's intended to be played -- like rock or bluegrass), and go through
it several times, and then keep using the music. So it's more like reading a
poem aloud in a foreign language for most people, maybe. You need to work
through each phrase, find out what it means, double-check your accent, learn to
do it without tongue-stumbling, learn to do it so that you sound like a
native, and a native who understands it and is reading well, too.
But I think when beginners to reading music see the music, they balk and
freeze up, thinking "reading" is coming to a point where they just see it and it
comes out of their hands or mouth.
And that's even much harder, reading music vocally. Most people will play
it out on a piano (or have someone else do that) the first many times. They're
still reading along, but there are intervals (jumps from note to note) that
are just difficult to guess. Maybe in that case it's like a dancer reading
someone else's choreographic notations. They're not going to hold the book in
hand and dance the whole thing as intened. They're going to study little
sections at a time and eventually put it all together.
So some people say "I can't read music" because in their imaginations they
have overshot the mark most people who feel themelves to be competent music
readers have settled on.
And there are people who can write a tune down as they hear it (but will ask
for pauses or second hearings, maybe), but they're rare and have a
particularly concentrated/freakish talent. Y'know how people will videotape a movie in
a theatre nowadays (in Asian countries, the stereotype goes <g>) and then make
copies? There are stories of people having gone to Gilbert and Sullivan
operettas in the1890s, writing music down as they sat, and publishing it the next
day or so. I'm guessing maybe hey had friends with them to also swipe lyrics
and help them remember hazy parts. Maybe they went back twice to
double-check their notes. <g>
That's a dying art, in the face of modern technology. Even working from a
recording like a dictophone transcriptionist is too much work when one can play
the tune on a MIDI keyboard and have a computer program throw a basic guess at
putting it into notation. Then with a mouse and the pulldown menus of other
people's programs, it can be tweaked and polished, other voices added, and
then the computer can read it all back in the instruments' voices you've
specified, or you can print it out for live musicians with instruments made out of
wood or metal or something. <bwg>
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Holly Furgason
--- In [email protected], pam sorooshian
<pamsoroosh@m...> wrote:
knew what they were talking about. It makes me feel much better. My
next math project is learning how to say the equations that I read.
Holly
2 COOL 4 SCHOOL
Unschooling t-shirts and more!
http://www.cafepress.com/2cool4school
<pamsoroosh@m...> wrote:
>and
> I'm a statistician/economist. When mathematicians go to conferences
> listen to other mathematicians present their work, they usually doNOT
> understand a lot of what the other guy is presenting at the time.They
> get the drift of it - they listen for ideas. If they want tounderstand
> the details, they read the person's published papers and go overand
> over it.I never realized that. I just figured they all knew math so they all
knew what they were talking about. It makes me feel much better. My
next math project is learning how to say the equations that I read.
Holly
2 COOL 4 SCHOOL
Unschooling t-shirts and more!
http://www.cafepress.com/2cool4school
[email protected]
I just took a new job where I have to know the minimum requirements (of
which there are many) for hiring of truck drivers. It was presented to me in 3
bulleted lists, and each was a series of if/then statements. They even had me
highlight the "important" ones, without even or ever explaining *why* they
were important, but I had to know them to pass the first test, and if I didn't
pass it I wouldn't get to keep the job.
So, I studied and I wrote things down and tried to rearrange the information
into some coherent, categorical format. It struck me that it really was a
series of if/thens, which could be displayed in the form of a flow-chart. I
spent the next 30 minutes at my desk typing up the flow chart, checking it
against the list to make sure I had the proper consequences going to the right
places, and proper conditions, etc.
Then I asked my boss if I could print it out. She saw me get it off the
printer and a few minutes later she came to my desk and asked what it was. I
said it was a flow chart of the hiring minimums and she looked it over a for a
few seconds and said, "That's so CONFUSING!"
But, I used it all day when I was doing the actual work to check myself, and
I didn't have to look back through a bunch of paragraphs as bullet lists and
keep the if/thens in my head while I tested the motor vehicle records against
the minimums.
I just looked at her and said, "you're going to like this and want this when
I'm through with it." And in fact, the new employee next to me wanted a
copy, too.
Karen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
which there are many) for hiring of truck drivers. It was presented to me in 3
bulleted lists, and each was a series of if/then statements. They even had me
highlight the "important" ones, without even or ever explaining *why* they
were important, but I had to know them to pass the first test, and if I didn't
pass it I wouldn't get to keep the job.
So, I studied and I wrote things down and tried to rearrange the information
into some coherent, categorical format. It struck me that it really was a
series of if/thens, which could be displayed in the form of a flow-chart. I
spent the next 30 minutes at my desk typing up the flow chart, checking it
against the list to make sure I had the proper consequences going to the right
places, and proper conditions, etc.
Then I asked my boss if I could print it out. She saw me get it off the
printer and a few minutes later she came to my desk and asked what it was. I
said it was a flow chart of the hiring minimums and she looked it over a for a
few seconds and said, "That's so CONFUSING!"
But, I used it all day when I was doing the actual work to check myself, and
I didn't have to look back through a bunch of paragraphs as bullet lists and
keep the if/thens in my head while I tested the motor vehicle records against
the minimums.
I just looked at her and said, "you're going to like this and want this when
I'm through with it." And in fact, the new employee next to me wanted a
copy, too.
Karen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
LadyWolf/Teresa
Good job! :-) They ought to appreciate a resourceful employee like
yourself.
Teresa
But, I used it all day when I was doing the actual work to check myself,
and
I didn't have to look back through a bunch of paragraphs as bullet lists
and
keep the if/thens in my head while I tested the motor vehicle records
against
the minimums.
I just looked at her and said, "you're going to like this and want this
when
I'm through with it." And in fact, the new employee next to me wanted a
copy, too.
Karen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
yourself.
Teresa
But, I used it all day when I was doing the actual work to check myself,
and
I didn't have to look back through a bunch of paragraphs as bullet lists
and
keep the if/thens in my head while I tested the motor vehicle records
against
the minimums.
I just looked at her and said, "you're going to like this and want this
when
I'm through with it." And in fact, the new employee next to me wanted a
copy, too.
Karen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]