The Steiner Waldorf Approach to Education

The Steiner Waldorf approach to education emphasizes on the use of practical, artistic and conceptual elements into education. This method of education was established by Rudolf Steiner, the founder of a philosophy called anthrophosophy. The Steiner Waldorf approach is based on the fact that the role of imagination in learning is integral for the development of creative and analytical thinking. This educational approach is aimed at providing an environment where young people can develop free thinking, which can be a basis for developing their own personalities as responsible individuals by fulfilling their destiny.

The Steiner Waldorf approach to education is based on scientific study of the development of children’s learning capabilities. Three major stages have been observed in the developmental stages of a child and particular methods of learning which are most effective to that stage are identified in this approach. Early childhood learning is the stage for children below 7 years of age, elementary learning is for children between 7 and 14 years, and high school level education is for adolescents.

Early childhood learning Read the rest of this entry »

A Teacher Speaks Out About Reading Notes

Before we start, let me introduce myself. My name is Mike Ellis. I live in Dallas, Texas, and have been a musicologist in the true sense of the word for forty-three years. I have taught guitar, bass guitar, banjo, keyboard and sitar, and have nineteen years of full time teaching experience and fifteen years of part-time teaching experience. I played by ear in numerous bands for ten years before I began teaching. In 1972, I had the good fortune to be taken under the wing of the late Mr. Terrill Gardner, who taught me music and how to teach it. Terrill took me from playing by ear to the completion of three volumes of “Modern Method for Guitar” from Berklee College, in Boston. This was note reading to the fullest extent. Terrill told me that if I was going to teach, I had to be qualified in all areas, not just playing by ear. He also taught me music theory and chord theory in a manner that allowed me to author two chord theory courses in later years. Now, let us get started.

How important is note reading?

So many parents are told the necessity of note reading and the values of a “classical” approach to learning music. Why is that? I won’t address that until later. First I want to ask you a couple of questions. Who were the most successful contemporary artists of the twentieth century (and maybe of all time)? The answer, of course is the Beatles. The second most successful and undoubtedly the longest lasting artists are the Rolling Stones. How many of them could read notes during the peak of their careers? There were four Beatles and five Rolling Stones and NONE of them could read a note. They spawned the “British Invasion” of which most of the artists could not read a note. How important, then, is note reading? It is certainly not necessary to write monster hit songs like “Yesterday,” “Something,” “Satisfaction,” and a huge list of others. At one time, the Beatles held five of the top ten hits on the charts all at the same time. And they could not read a note. Read the rest of this entry »

Music Teachers Resources and Tips – The Power of Motivation

There are many reasons, issues and circumstances that can be associated with missed music lessons and classes. Though these incidents have been saddening and frustrating to most dedicated music teachers, such really inevitably happen. There is only one key to resolve this conflict: the Power of MOTIVATION.

Consequently, various music teachers’ resources and tips, which are designed and intended to motivate students attend their music lessons and classes regularly, have been made readily available online. There are some reliable and objective websites that can certainly provide music teachers some great resources to modify and develop their music teaching strategies.

Since you have gotten into this page, your willingness and urge to adopt music teaching resources and tips seem to be intense and obvious. Well, you are on the right track; this article tends to give you some helpful tips and resources in teaching music more effectively and efficiently. Read the rest of this entry »