Welcome to Music Teachers Insightful Practices (MTIPS) Newsletter!
Written and Published by Nicholas Ambrosino
www.musicsimplymusic.com
director@musicsimplymusic.com

March 5, 2004

Table of Contents:

1. MTIPS Theme
2. Welcome Notes
3. MTIPS Development
4. Notable Quotables

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1. MTIPS Theme

There are many things that can get in the way of someone being ready to learn. If these blockages are not removed much of the time spent “learning music” is futile because the student’s mind has not been made a fertile planting ground.
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2. Welcome Notes

Welcome to Music Teachers Insightful Practices (MTIPS) Newsletter!

POSITION VACANCY!
Music Simply Music now has openings for 2 piano facilitators and one voice facilitator! Due to the incredible success and popularity of the Music Simply Music program, Music Simply Music has an on going waiting list of students. If you are a capable pianist with a reliable car and are interested in joining an incredible organization committed to supporting the growth and potential of young people on beautiful Long Island, New York, please submit your resume to resumes@musicsimplymusic.com. For more information please go to our web site at www.musicsimplymusic.com


My goal for MTIPS is to provide you with practical tips and insights that will make your career or education in music, more fulfilling, rewarding and enjoyable. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to see a certain topic covered in an upcoming issue of MTIPS. My email address is editor@musicsimplymusic.com

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3. MTIPS Development

Many people assume that effective teachers were simply gifted with “good personalities” that allow them to connect with children. Yet many of the strategies that are used to connect with students are learnable skills. Take for example, the art of creating learning readiness for a student.

When I walk into a lesson I am keenly aware of my students physical and therefore mental state. If a student’s shoulders are slumped forward, eyes are diverted downward and speech pattern is quiet and short phrased, it would be a bit absurd to try and teach them something about music. It is clear that the student is not yet ready to learn.

There are many things that can get in the way of someone being ready to learn. If these blockages are not removed much of the time spent “learning music” is futile because the students mind has not been made a fertile planting ground.

It is very similar to the belief that doctors of chiropractic and acupuncture hold. They believe that in order for the body to function fully, the nerves and meridians of the body need to allow for the proper flow of energy. By removing blockages (via manipulation or needles) the doctor creates the best environment for optimum health.

In order for a student to be ready to learn, obstacles that block relaxed, enjoyable learning need to be confronted and removed. For some students this may simply be having their teacher recognize that they had a tough day. The process of creating learning readiness could be a one- minute activity. 

For other students, particularly students who are creating a new relationship with a teacher, the process may take a couple of minutes longer. The student may need to feel a strong rapport with the teacher. The student may need to know that the teacher cares about them as a person, before caring about them as a musician. The student may need to know a little about the teacher as a person. 

Rest assured, any time spent in creating a fertile ground for learning is time well spent. The skills necessary for this are an ability to recognize the feelings of your students as well as assisting them in removing the obstacles that prevent learning (problem solving) so that they can create a fertile learning environment within themselves. 

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4. Notable Quotable

The wise man travels to discover himself.

-James Russell Lowell


Copyright © 2004 Nicholas Ambrosino. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute MTIPS so long as this copyright notice and full contact information about the author is attached. The author of this issue is Nicholas Ambrosino and he may be contacted at director@musicsimplymusic.com or reached by telephone at 631-863-2069

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