do re mi

People always say that you don't know something until you've taught it. My recent experiences as a singing/musical theory teacher to a group of 30 has confirmed this saying. It is so difficult to explain the simplest of music concepts (i.e. what is a staff? what is a quarter note? what are notes?) I suppose that it doesn't help that I've learned these things myself more than 13 years ago. Teaching music is like trying to teach math - but in a foreign language. Music seems so logical and second-nature to me by now (at least the really straightforward, non-creative components of it), that teaching it seems almost illogical because I've come to see it as common sense (especially when you're in Canada I suppose, where 9.999 out of 10 kids are forced to play piano or some sort of musical instrument). So now, when I plan my lessons, I imagine myself teaching little kids and have created little "do-re-mi" flash cards and rhythm clapping games for my class.

I now have new found respect for Mrs. Forestor, Alyssa, and Hilda (my first piano teacher at Tom Lee, my piano teacher that got me to my grade 10 piano cert., and my theory teacher that taught me harmony before I realized what I can use it for, respectively.)

Currently listening: Toco Rosalia De Souza