[Trombone-l] Write it out

[Tom Ervin]

Challenge the student to write it out.  Or memorize it so he can sing  
along with it, and then figure it out on the instrument, and then  
write it out.

I may often have over-reached with students of mine, but with the  
good ones, I had them memorize loads of tunes, play them in various  
keys, write things out. I hoped to be not just a trombone teacher,  
but a music teacher.  It's not up to the theory teacher (or that TA)  
to teach them to play by ear or take dictation and write rhythms.   
Nor was it "up to" me, not my job (?), but I did ask them to try, and  
I helped them and encouraged them, particularly the ones who tried.

We've got a very special, rare, one-on-one relationship with our  
students. We can limit it to the trombone and its literature, or we  
can expand a bit, make musicians, build trust, discuss growing up,  
help keep them on the path(s) toward success. I assume most of us  
try, most of us do?

True, I often didn't have enough time for all this, either!

*******++++++

Tom Ervin
ervint at u.arizona.edu
Prof of Trombone, Univ Arizona (Emeritus)
...now a recovering trombone player.... ; >}
(520)241-4411 (cell)
website:     tom-ervin.com

It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is  
up to you and no one else.