unschooling myself
Melanie Shimokawa
I finally (very long story) got my hand on one of John Holt's books -
How Children Learn. But I can not read it. It is so hard. I have a
really hard time reading anything that doesn't grab my attention from
the first page, and hold it the whole time. I have to give this book
back to the library in two weeks, but I don't know how I'll ever get
through it. But I want to! How do I convince myself that I can read
this? It's like a boring textbook on a subject I'm interested in.
Thanks in advance,
Melanie in Japan
P.S. This is way off topic - I'm setting up my webpage - right now I'm
working on the pregnancy and birth part, then I'll work on babies and
children (try to convince people to homeschool in a discreet way...).
If anyone has anything they'd like to share - how they overcame morning
sickness or dealt with a jerk of a doctor they were stuck with, etc.
please e-mail me privately.
Thank you
How Children Learn. But I can not read it. It is so hard. I have a
really hard time reading anything that doesn't grab my attention from
the first page, and hold it the whole time. I have to give this book
back to the library in two weeks, but I don't know how I'll ever get
through it. But I want to! How do I convince myself that I can read
this? It's like a boring textbook on a subject I'm interested in.
Thanks in advance,
Melanie in Japan
P.S. This is way off topic - I'm setting up my webpage - right now I'm
working on the pregnancy and birth part, then I'll work on babies and
children (try to convince people to homeschool in a discreet way...).
If anyone has anything they'd like to share - how they overcame morning
sickness or dealt with a jerk of a doctor they were stuck with, etc.
please e-mail me privately.
Thank you
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/22/99 3:26:12 AM, sfamily@... writes:
<< How do I convince myself that I can read
this? It's like a boring textbook on a subject I'm interested in. >>
Don't worry about it. You can understand unschooling without John Holt. :-)
If it's truth, you should be able to rediscover it yourself by observing and
reading and thinking and discussing. If it's truth, it won't be held just in
one book, in one person's ideas.
John Holt bogs me down too. I read one 15 years before I had my daughter and
his ideas seemed neat but way too theoretical and pie in the sky. But I
haven't been able to get into any since then.
One of the best things about unschooling is choosing the means that are best
for us. And not having to rely on one resouce. Or even one type of
resource. I found the message boards a lot more valuable since I could read
lots of different point of view and lots of different opinions on a wide
variety of ideas. Then also seeing unschooling in action made it real for
me. So, trust your instincts. If one way isn't working, find something else.
Here's the list of suggesting reading from Unschooling.com's library. I
haven't read more than a couple. The Teenage Liberation Handbook really hit
home for me (even though my daughter is only 8). It's been a long time but I
recall enjoying Homeschooling for Excellence. And I've read bits and pieces
of the Unschooling Handbook. One book that's not here that I've heard good
things about is The Day I Became an Autodidact : And the Advice, Adventures,
and Acrimonies That Befell Me Thereafter by Kendall Hailey.
The Art of Education by Linda Dobson
A wonderful book that will set you off on the adventure of reclaiming your
family and community. A lively discussion of just what it means to become
educated.
The Homeschooling Book of Answers by Linda Dobson
88 of the most frequently asked questions about homeschooling answered by
parents from diverse perspectives. Unschooling is included along with other
approaches to learning.
The Home School Source Book by Donn Reed
A compedium of useful resources to use on your unschooling journey!
The Homeschool Reader edited by Mark and Helen Hegener
One of the best books with which to start your homeschooling research. The
nuts and bolts of homeschooling presented by the real experts, homeschoolers
themselves.
Taking Charge Through Homeschooling by Larry and Susan Kaseman
A look at the personal and political ramifcations of choosing to accept the
power to educate your children
Teach Your Own by John Holt
Holt's "how to" book. The what and how of daily living and learning with your
children. In the words of Josephy Chilton Pearce, an intelligent answer to
the question of how do we save our children from the tragedy of schooling.
"And What About College?" by Cafi Cohen
This book will show how unschoolers can present their education and learning
in a way to make it understandable for college admission officers.
Homeschooling: A Patchwork of Days by Nancy Lande
A day in the life of 20 homeschooling families. Diverse approaches to home
education are presented including unschooling.
The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn
Subtitled How To Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education. "Your life,
time, and brain should belong to you, not to an institution".
Real Lives: Eleven Teenagers Who Don't Go To School by Grace Llewellyn
A look at the lives of 11 teenagers as they pursue their goals and follow
their dreams. You will be amazed at the rich diversity of their choices and
abilities. It will change your perspective on what the teenage years are all
about.
The Unschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith
The very best book on the nuts and bolts of unschooling. If you are wondering
just what unschoolers do all day, get this book.
Better Than School and Child's Work by Nancy Wallace
Nancy's ability to trust her children as they pursued their passion for music
is the greatest gift she could have ever given them. Learning to trust is
hard and these books help you do just that.
I Learn Better By Teaching Myself by Agnes Leistico
Still Teaching Ourselves by Agnes Leistico
These two books are now a combined volume. The author shares the questioning,
searching and learning to trust her children that has shaped her family's
adventures in home education.
Our Lives edited by Matt Hern
An anthology of essays devoted to looking at what education is and is not. A
great book about how pervasive schooling is and how we can break free from
that paradigm.
Homeschooling for Excellence by David and Micki Colfax
A pioneer homeschooling family tells their story. The Colfaxes created a
homestead where their boys went from building sheep pens to attending Harvard.
How Chidren Learn by John Holt
How Children Fail by John Holt
These two books speak to Holt's experiences in the classroom and what he
eventually found untenable about the system. Presented are reasons why
families should pursue education outside of institutions.
Learning All The Time by John Holt
A look by Holt at his own life and how he never stopped learning. His writing
about learning the cello at 50 will inspire you!
<< How do I convince myself that I can read
this? It's like a boring textbook on a subject I'm interested in. >>
Don't worry about it. You can understand unschooling without John Holt. :-)
If it's truth, you should be able to rediscover it yourself by observing and
reading and thinking and discussing. If it's truth, it won't be held just in
one book, in one person's ideas.
John Holt bogs me down too. I read one 15 years before I had my daughter and
his ideas seemed neat but way too theoretical and pie in the sky. But I
haven't been able to get into any since then.
One of the best things about unschooling is choosing the means that are best
for us. And not having to rely on one resouce. Or even one type of
resource. I found the message boards a lot more valuable since I could read
lots of different point of view and lots of different opinions on a wide
variety of ideas. Then also seeing unschooling in action made it real for
me. So, trust your instincts. If one way isn't working, find something else.
Here's the list of suggesting reading from Unschooling.com's library. I
haven't read more than a couple. The Teenage Liberation Handbook really hit
home for me (even though my daughter is only 8). It's been a long time but I
recall enjoying Homeschooling for Excellence. And I've read bits and pieces
of the Unschooling Handbook. One book that's not here that I've heard good
things about is The Day I Became an Autodidact : And the Advice, Adventures,
and Acrimonies That Befell Me Thereafter by Kendall Hailey.
The Art of Education by Linda Dobson
A wonderful book that will set you off on the adventure of reclaiming your
family and community. A lively discussion of just what it means to become
educated.
The Homeschooling Book of Answers by Linda Dobson
88 of the most frequently asked questions about homeschooling answered by
parents from diverse perspectives. Unschooling is included along with other
approaches to learning.
The Home School Source Book by Donn Reed
A compedium of useful resources to use on your unschooling journey!
The Homeschool Reader edited by Mark and Helen Hegener
One of the best books with which to start your homeschooling research. The
nuts and bolts of homeschooling presented by the real experts, homeschoolers
themselves.
Taking Charge Through Homeschooling by Larry and Susan Kaseman
A look at the personal and political ramifcations of choosing to accept the
power to educate your children
Teach Your Own by John Holt
Holt's "how to" book. The what and how of daily living and learning with your
children. In the words of Josephy Chilton Pearce, an intelligent answer to
the question of how do we save our children from the tragedy of schooling.
"And What About College?" by Cafi Cohen
This book will show how unschoolers can present their education and learning
in a way to make it understandable for college admission officers.
Homeschooling: A Patchwork of Days by Nancy Lande
A day in the life of 20 homeschooling families. Diverse approaches to home
education are presented including unschooling.
The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn
Subtitled How To Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education. "Your life,
time, and brain should belong to you, not to an institution".
Real Lives: Eleven Teenagers Who Don't Go To School by Grace Llewellyn
A look at the lives of 11 teenagers as they pursue their goals and follow
their dreams. You will be amazed at the rich diversity of their choices and
abilities. It will change your perspective on what the teenage years are all
about.
The Unschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith
The very best book on the nuts and bolts of unschooling. If you are wondering
just what unschoolers do all day, get this book.
Better Than School and Child's Work by Nancy Wallace
Nancy's ability to trust her children as they pursued their passion for music
is the greatest gift she could have ever given them. Learning to trust is
hard and these books help you do just that.
I Learn Better By Teaching Myself by Agnes Leistico
Still Teaching Ourselves by Agnes Leistico
These two books are now a combined volume. The author shares the questioning,
searching and learning to trust her children that has shaped her family's
adventures in home education.
Our Lives edited by Matt Hern
An anthology of essays devoted to looking at what education is and is not. A
great book about how pervasive schooling is and how we can break free from
that paradigm.
Homeschooling for Excellence by David and Micki Colfax
A pioneer homeschooling family tells their story. The Colfaxes created a
homestead where their boys went from building sheep pens to attending Harvard.
How Chidren Learn by John Holt
How Children Fail by John Holt
These two books speak to Holt's experiences in the classroom and what he
eventually found untenable about the system. Presented are reasons why
families should pursue education outside of institutions.
Learning All The Time by John Holt
A look by Holt at his own life and how he never stopped learning. His writing
about learning the cello at 50 will inspire you!
[email protected]
In a message dated 08/22/1999 3:26:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
sfamily@... writes:
<< I finally (very long story) got my hand on one of John Holt's books -
How Children Learn. But I can not read it. It is so hard. I have a
really hard time reading anything that doesn't grab my attention from
the first page, and hold it the whole time. >>
I know what you mean....I found that "Teach Your Own" was more interesting
for me and, actually, I'm not sure I ever DID read "How Children Learn" !!
Holt's earlier books were written while he was still trying to effect change
in "the system"...TYO is the book written after he basically gave up on
institutional schooling and advised us to teach our own.
Good luck,
Sam
sfamily@... writes:
<< I finally (very long story) got my hand on one of John Holt's books -
How Children Learn. But I can not read it. It is so hard. I have a
really hard time reading anything that doesn't grab my attention from
the first page, and hold it the whole time. >>
I know what you mean....I found that "Teach Your Own" was more interesting
for me and, actually, I'm not sure I ever DID read "How Children Learn" !!
Holt's earlier books were written while he was still trying to effect change
in "the system"...TYO is the book written after he basically gave up on
institutional schooling and advised us to teach our own.
Good luck,
Sam
David Albert
My favorite Holt book by far is "Learning All the Time", his learning to
play the cello after age 40. I also think in its own way, it is the
most useful for homeschooling parents, as helps reconnect us to what it
is like to really be learning things for the first time.
David
play the cello after age 40. I also think in its own way, it is the
most useful for homeschooling parents, as helps reconnect us to what it
is like to really be learning things for the first time.
David
David Albert
Whoops - sorry! the book about Holt learning to play the Cello is
"Never Too Late: My Musical Life."
David
"Never Too Late: My Musical Life."
David
Jill
I loved John Holt's book "How Children Learn". It answered so many
questions I had. But it may not be for you and that is okay. There are
other books that may be more interesting to you. I think unschooling is
finding what works for you. Finding what interests you. Perhaps magazine
articles like the compilation from HEM magazine might be more interesting to
you or some of the books written by homeschooling parents. A lot of
homeschooling web-sites have long lists of books that other homeschoolers
have enjoyed.
My recommendation is to return Holt's book and find something that is
interesting to you. If you are only reading it because some of us love it
then we are replacing the school education gurus who tell you what to do.
We can only share what helped us - we each have to find our own paths.
This really applies to those who asked " what do I do today to unschool?".
I do what works for me and my children - what they like to do, what I am
interested in sharing with them, places I am interested in taking them or
they ask to go to.
Good luck.
Jill
questions I had. But it may not be for you and that is okay. There are
other books that may be more interesting to you. I think unschooling is
finding what works for you. Finding what interests you. Perhaps magazine
articles like the compilation from HEM magazine might be more interesting to
you or some of the books written by homeschooling parents. A lot of
homeschooling web-sites have long lists of books that other homeschoolers
have enjoyed.
My recommendation is to return Holt's book and find something that is
interesting to you. If you are only reading it because some of us love it
then we are replacing the school education gurus who tell you what to do.
We can only share what helped us - we each have to find our own paths.
This really applies to those who asked " what do I do today to unschool?".
I do what works for me and my children - what they like to do, what I am
interested in sharing with them, places I am interested in taking them or
they ask to go to.
Good luck.
Jill
[email protected]
Melanie, I find when dealing with books that read slowly, if I skim through
the text until I find a subject that appeals to me, I still can glean a lot
from the book. Just a thought, hope it helps. Lori in TX
the text until I find a subject that appeals to me, I still can glean a lot
from the book. Just a thought, hope it helps. Lori in TX
[email protected]
Dear Melanie...
You wrote:
<< I finally (very long story) got my hand on one of John Holt's books -
How Children Learn. But I can not read it. It is so hard. I have a
really hard time reading anything that doesn't grab my attention from
the first page, and hold it the whole time. I have to give this book
back to the library in two weeks, but I don't know how I'll ever get
through it. But I want to! How do I convince myself that I can read
this? It's like a boring textbook on a subject I'm interested in.
never "force" myself to read a book that somehow doesn't hit me right then,
for whatever reason. I figure it's just not "my season" to read it right at
that point, without getting too hard on myself.
This is what I would do in your situation...
Scan through the book over the next two week. Just pick it up every once in
awhile, not with the thought that you've GOT to read it, but just browsing.
Things will jump out at you. Read through the things that do. This might be
enough to get you to the front of the book and wanting to read it cover to
cover. If so, great. If not, don't worry. At least this way, you'll know a
little more about what the book covers and then later, you might be compelled
to try the book again. It has taken me years to sit down and read some books
cover to cover. I don't think it means they are "too hard." I think it just
means I wasn't ready for the material yet.
Hope this helps...be easy on yourself!
Carol B.
You wrote:
<< I finally (very long story) got my hand on one of John Holt's books -
How Children Learn. But I can not read it. It is so hard. I have a
really hard time reading anything that doesn't grab my attention from
the first page, and hold it the whole time. I have to give this book
back to the library in two weeks, but I don't know how I'll ever get
through it. But I want to! How do I convince myself that I can read
this? It's like a boring textbook on a subject I'm interested in.
>>I have always been very much an unschooler to myself in reading books. I
never "force" myself to read a book that somehow doesn't hit me right then,
for whatever reason. I figure it's just not "my season" to read it right at
that point, without getting too hard on myself.
This is what I would do in your situation...
Scan through the book over the next two week. Just pick it up every once in
awhile, not with the thought that you've GOT to read it, but just browsing.
Things will jump out at you. Read through the things that do. This might be
enough to get you to the front of the book and wanting to read it cover to
cover. If so, great. If not, don't worry. At least this way, you'll know a
little more about what the book covers and then later, you might be compelled
to try the book again. It has taken me years to sit down and read some books
cover to cover. I don't think it means they are "too hard." I think it just
means I wasn't ready for the material yet.
Hope this helps...be easy on yourself!
Carol B.
[email protected]
In a message dated 08/23/1999 5:24:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
shantinik@... writes:
<<
Whoops - sorry! the book about Holt learning to play the Cello is
"Never Too Late: My Musical Life."
play the violin. He called the Institute of Music and they told him he was
too old. I gave him this book. he decided to play the recorder and the piano
instead.
Debra
shantinik@... writes:
<<
Whoops - sorry! the book about Holt learning to play the Cello is
"Never Too Late: My Musical Life."
>>an anecdote about this book. when my dad was about 68, he wanted to learn to
play the violin. He called the Institute of Music and they told him he was
too old. I gave him this book. he decided to play the recorder and the piano
instead.
Debra
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/22/99 3:47:59 AM, JFetteroll@... writes:
<<The Homeschooling Book of Answers by Linda Dobson
88 of the most frequently asked questions about homeschooling answered by
parents from diverse perspectives. Unschooling is included along with other
approaches to learning.>>
Joyce recommended a lot of good books! I want to focus in on this one,
because the way it is organized is really helpful for someone who finds the
idea of sitting down and reading a whole non-fiction book a bit discouraging.
This is a great book for reading in little chunks, and in any order.
The Homeschooling Book of Answers, by Linda Dobson, is organized with common
questions about homeschooling and answers to those questions. When I first
got my hands on this book, I read the list of questions in the table of
contents, and then jumped straight to the ones that were of most interest to
me.
Question 1 is >>Can I teach my own children if I don't have any teacher
training?<<. Question 10 asks about >>... keeping the costs of homeschooling
to a minimum<<. Question 30 asks about John Holt. Question 81 tackles the TV
question. Probably my favorite question is #83 >>All I ever read about in
the newspaper is exceptional homeschooled kids doing exceptional things. Are
there any normal homeschoolers?<<
Personally, I never peak at the end when I'm reading fiction, but when
reading non-fiction, I give myself complete permission to jump around.
(Let's hope that horrifies the school teachers! <g>)
Betsy
<<The Homeschooling Book of Answers by Linda Dobson
88 of the most frequently asked questions about homeschooling answered by
parents from diverse perspectives. Unschooling is included along with other
approaches to learning.>>
Joyce recommended a lot of good books! I want to focus in on this one,
because the way it is organized is really helpful for someone who finds the
idea of sitting down and reading a whole non-fiction book a bit discouraging.
This is a great book for reading in little chunks, and in any order.
The Homeschooling Book of Answers, by Linda Dobson, is organized with common
questions about homeschooling and answers to those questions. When I first
got my hands on this book, I read the list of questions in the table of
contents, and then jumped straight to the ones that were of most interest to
me.
Question 1 is >>Can I teach my own children if I don't have any teacher
training?<<. Question 10 asks about >>... keeping the costs of homeschooling
to a minimum<<. Question 30 asks about John Holt. Question 81 tackles the TV
question. Probably my favorite question is #83 >>All I ever read about in
the newspaper is exceptional homeschooled kids doing exceptional things. Are
there any normal homeschoolers?<<
Personally, I never peak at the end when I'm reading fiction, but when
reading non-fiction, I give myself complete permission to jump around.
(Let's hope that horrifies the school teachers! <g>)
Betsy
David Albert
Buresmom@... wrote:
(and have given concerts on same), and took up the violin at age 48. My
older daughter (age 11) now plays violin,piano, and has taken up the
harp and oboe -- she wants to be a composer (and already is!)
David
> From: Buresmom@...I myself took up the "veena" (a south Indian stringed instrument) age 31
>
> In a message dated 08/23/1999 5:24:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> shantinik@... writes:
>
> <<
> Whoops - sorry! the book about Holt learning to play the Cello is
> "Never Too Late: My Musical Life."
> >>
> an anecdote about this book. when my dad was about 68, he wanted to
> learn to
> play the violin. He called the Institute of Music and they told him he
> was
> too old. I gave him this book. he decided to play the recorder and the
> piano
> instead.
> Debra
(and have given concerts on same), and took up the violin at age 48. My
older daughter (age 11) now plays violin,piano, and has taken up the
harp and oboe -- she wants to be a composer (and already is!)
David
>
>
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> <a href=" http://clickme.onelist.com/ad/ootw23 ">Click Here</a>
>
> -----------------
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> Check it out!
> http://www.unschooling.com
Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall
>I myself took up the "veena" (a south Indian stringed instrument) age 31OK, for all of you musical geniuses out there, I hanve always wanted to
>(and have given concerts on same), and took up the violin at age 48. My
>older daughter (age 11) now plays violin,piano, and has taken up the
>harp and oboe -- she wants to be a composer (and already is!)
>
>David
play the flute, piano and folk guitar. It will probaby have to wait a bit,
as I have a LOT going on right now, but when I get ready where should I
start? Should I get lessons, get books or just get instruments and start
playing? What do you (already-been-there-done-that-folks) think?
Nanci K. in Idaho
[email protected]
In a message dated 08/23/1999 8:56:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
shantinik@... writes:
<< 31
(and have given concerts on same), and took up the violin at age 48. My
older daughter (age 11) now plays violin,piano, and has taken up the
harp and oboe -- she wants to be a composer (and already is!)
also 11, is learning to play the fiddle. she also want to learn Irish Gaelic.
Debra
shantinik@... writes:
<< 31
(and have given concerts on same), and took up the violin at age 48. My
older daughter (age 11) now plays violin,piano, and has taken up the
harp and oboe -- she wants to be a composer (and already is!)
>>This is cool. I kind of play piano, am learning dulcimer. My older daughter,
also 11, is learning to play the fiddle. she also want to learn Irish Gaelic.
Debra
Brown
Hi Nancy
A friend of mine has been on a 'musical quest' over the last few years. She
learnt piano and violin as a child with teachers of the
rap-the-knuckles-every-time-you-make-a-mistake variety and so though she wanted
to play again, it was pretty traumatic until she unlearned her fear of
teachers. She's been through several instruments and untold teachers since. And
what she told me a while back makes sense to me.
First, find the instrument that belongs to you. Even if you think it's piano,
don't be too proud to say after a while, this isn't me after all, and change to
cello. And then to flute. That was her process. Then she finally knew that the
flute was 'home' for her.
Second, you are paying. Don't be afraid to say <this teacher isn't for me>, and
seek out a new one. My friend has done this several times. Sometimes because
the teacher didn't suit personality-wise, sometimes because my friend's needs
changed.
Having found her right instrument and right teacher, my friend, although she
doesn't sit the music exams, went from zero to grade 5 in six months.
Carol
Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall wrote:
A friend of mine has been on a 'musical quest' over the last few years. She
learnt piano and violin as a child with teachers of the
rap-the-knuckles-every-time-you-make-a-mistake variety and so though she wanted
to play again, it was pretty traumatic until she unlearned her fear of
teachers. She's been through several instruments and untold teachers since. And
what she told me a while back makes sense to me.
First, find the instrument that belongs to you. Even if you think it's piano,
don't be too proud to say after a while, this isn't me after all, and change to
cello. And then to flute. That was her process. Then she finally knew that the
flute was 'home' for her.
Second, you are paying. Don't be afraid to say <this teacher isn't for me>, and
seek out a new one. My friend has done this several times. Sometimes because
the teacher didn't suit personality-wise, sometimes because my friend's needs
changed.
Having found her right instrument and right teacher, my friend, although she
doesn't sit the music exams, went from zero to grade 5 in six months.
Carol
Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall wrote:
> OK, for all of you musical geniuses out there, I hanve always wanted to
> play the flute, piano and folk guitar. It will probaby have to wait a bit,
> as I have a LOT going on right now, but when I get ready where should I
> start? Should I get lessons, get books or just get instruments and start
> playing? What do you (already-been-there-done-that-folks) think?
>
> Nanci K. in Idaho
Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall
At 07:52 AM 8/25/99 +1200, you wrote:
name right!?
I'm not picking on you, just using the opportunity to ask everyone to
please spell my name correctly. Please!!
Thanks,
Nanci K. (that's N-A-N-C-I)
>From: Brown <mjcmbrwn@...>Thanks for the musical advice "Karel" but, why oh why can't anyone spell my
>
>Hi Nancy
>Carol
name right!?
I'm not picking on you, just using the opportunity to ask everyone to
please spell my name correctly. Please!!
Thanks,
Nanci K. (that's N-A-N-C-I)
[email protected]
In a message dated 08/24/1999 3:57:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
mjcmbrwn@... writes:
<< First, find the instrument that belongs to you. >>
Carol
This is wise advice. My 11 yr old daughter kept telling us she wanted to
play the fiddle for a long time. "But why" I asked," we HAVE a piano" (I am
embarrassed to admit) So I started to teach her piano. But fiddle kept coming
up. So we started looking for a teacher. "Surely you mean the violin" said
the music stores and schools."No, the fiddle,"I repeated.
So after much word of mouthing we found a teacher. Then we had to find an
instrument. No one had one to rent, so we kept asking around. Then a friend
asked her sons violin teacher. she had a student who had outgrown her jr.
viola. So we bought it for $75.00.
And Sarah has been happily and beautifully fiddling for about 6 months. And
by the way, she now is teaching herself piano.
Debra
mjcmbrwn@... writes:
<< First, find the instrument that belongs to you. >>
Carol
This is wise advice. My 11 yr old daughter kept telling us she wanted to
play the fiddle for a long time. "But why" I asked," we HAVE a piano" (I am
embarrassed to admit) So I started to teach her piano. But fiddle kept coming
up. So we started looking for a teacher. "Surely you mean the violin" said
the music stores and schools."No, the fiddle,"I repeated.
So after much word of mouthing we found a teacher. Then we had to find an
instrument. No one had one to rent, so we kept asking around. Then a friend
asked her sons violin teacher. she had a student who had outgrown her jr.
viola. So we bought it for $75.00.
And Sarah has been happily and beautifully fiddling for about 6 months. And
by the way, she now is teaching herself piano.
Debra
David Albert
Brown wrote:
Skylark Sings with Me" on "Choosing a Music Teacher". It is meant of
course for use with kids, but would be happy to send it along off the
list (don't want to clutter the list with attachments.)
David Albert
> From: Brown <mjcmbrwn@...>I have a small section of my forthcoming homeschooling book "And the
>
> Hi Nancy
>
> A friend of mine has been on a 'musical quest' over the last few
> years. She
> learnt piano and violin as a child with teachers of the
> rap-the-knuckles-every-time-you-make-a-mistake variety and so though
> she wanted
> to play again, it was pretty traumatic until she unlearned her fear of
>
> teachers. She's been through several instruments and untold teachers
> since. And
> what she told me a while back makes sense to me.
>
> First, find the instrument that belongs to you. Even if you think it's
> piano,
> don't be too proud to say after a while, this isn't me after all, and
> change to
> cello. And then to flute. That was her process. Then she finally knew
> that the
> flute was 'home' for her.
>
> Second, you are paying. Don't be afraid to say <this teacher isn't for
> me>, and
> seek out a new one. My friend has done this several times. Sometimes
> because
> the teacher didn't suit personality-wise, sometimes because my
> friend's needs
> changed.
>
> Having found her right instrument and right teacher, my friend,
> although she
> doesn't sit the music exams, went from zero to grade 5 in six months.
>
> Carol
>
> Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall wrote:
>
> > OK, for all of you musical geniuses out there, I hanve always wanted
> to
> > play the flute, piano and folk guitar. It will probaby have to wait
> a bit,
> > as I have a LOT going on right now, but when I get ready where
> should I
> > start? Should I get lessons, get books or just get instruments and
> start
> > playing? What do you (already-been-there-done-that-folks) think?
> >
> > Nanci K. in Idaho
>
> -I'm in virtually total agreement with Carol. In my experience (which
> is considerable) the key issues, in order, are the right instrument,
> and the right teacher. There was an extraordinary study done in
> Northern England some years back (which is now published as "The Right
> Instrument for Your Child") in which children who continued on with
> their music education right up to and including conservatories were
> compared with those who quit. There was no evidence that the
> "musicians" were any more innately musical than those who quit. The
> single most important factor was finding the instrument which
> maximized the temperament and physical and emotional proclivities of
> the child. I imagine that is true for adults too, it has been in my
> experience (I went through much of my life musically unfulfilled,
> although very musical, until I could find the instrument.)
Skylark Sings with Me" on "Choosing a Music Teacher". It is meant of
course for use with kids, but would be happy to send it along off the
list (don't want to clutter the list with attachments.)
David Albert