How to Encourage Independence in Young Musicians
Spring 2011
How to Encourage Independence
By Kathy Anzis, Director of Teacher Training
Sometimes it is easier to spoon-feed. Sometimes it is easier to give the answer. Sometimes it is easier to lecture. But is this best for our students? Of course not. It takes effort to transition from the nurturing mode in MW and JMC where you provide all the information. But as children mature during JMC, we can begin to encourage our students' independence. Once they taste success, they will gain more enthusiasm and develop the independent will to discover; there will be less conflict and over-coaching from their parent; and you will have a class that cannot be stopped!
So how can we make this happen? The first step is to make independent action positive — something that children will want to do. Here are some phrases to get started:
- Now, can you play __________ without your parent’s help? Let’s try and see. If we can do it, our parents will clap for us.
- Let's see if you can press the clarinet button all by yourself!
- I bet you can sing this solfege melody all by yourselves without me singing! Let's give it a try. If you do your best, you can be proud.
- Let's have an experiment. Parents sit back and relax. Boys and girls, let's show moms and dads how you can listen and play back without your parents saying anything!... You did it! Parents, let's clap for them.
- Wow - you figured that out all by yourself!
- That time, you played so well together and your parents didn't even have to help you!
- You will be so grown up when you can...
In a subtle way, these phrases also communicate to parents that it is best for their child if they don't over-coach but, instead, encourage independence.
Children who are in JXC or YMC will gain even more independence if encouraged. Their musical vocabulary and life experience is much greater in every way, so you can stretch them further by challenging them to work independently, as well as develop responsibility. Here are some phrases you can use:
- I will only say it one time so listen carefully.
- If you didn't hear what I said, ask a friend.
- Who will be the first to have all their books ready?
- Jason and Bob, please work together on this section.
- Let's have Lisa be the pointer and Susan be the player.
- I'll give you one minute to look at the score, then each of you can tell your friends one thing that you noticed.
The home assignment is also a good place to encourage independence. Give an "Extra Challenge" for some pieces. Check in class to see who took the challenge. Spin off of that to stimulate others to try new things on their own.
While we want to always introduce a piece in class before assigning it in JMC, in JXC and YMC independent discovery can be encouraged before you present a piece for the first time.
Here is a sample home assignment for a repertoire piece that you intend to introduce the following week:
While you watch the score, listen to your CD. How many things can you discover? How about...
- Key
- Time Signature
- Instruments
- Articulation
- Dynamics
- Can you sing any of the notes?
As children become more independent and make discoveries on their own, they are anxious to come to class to share what they have learned with their teacher and classmates. Encouraging this will help transform your lessons from being teacher-centered to music-centered.