Module 4 (Week 2)

A Musical Bridge

With this module I had the opportunity to explore music from different angles and as they relate to teaching. For me, music is a deeply personal experience. The type of music I enjoy listening to speaks to me in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is the music that speaks to me the loudest and then sometimes it is the lyrics that dominate the experience. Music has a way of moving me emotionally, personally, and often times creatively. So when I really think about it, music and the experience of teaching work similarly when it comes to sparking creativity in all of us.

Another way to explain that theory is to examine music by genre or category. There are several different styles of music. They range from pop to jazz to classical and so on. Each category has its own signature features. For example, jazz and classical music are very heavy on instrumental songs, while popular or contemporary music is very lyric-driven. One thing that all the categories of music have in common is they tend to possess a hook or a rhythm.

In teaching, there are different subjects. They range from Art to Math to English and so on. Just like in music, the different subjects that are taught have certain identifiable traits. For example, in English there is a heavy reliance on writing and reading, while in Art there is a lot of hands-on and “learn by doing” activities. And just like in music, the different subjects that are taught have something in common. They all need to a platform for instruction. Consider CEP 882, the platform for instruction is online.

Something else I would like to add that bridges teaching and music is an ability that individuals in those fields share. To become highly proficient at their craft, a musician and a teacher must be good listeners. Aaron Copeland stated that listening is a talent all by itself. I agree with this rather bold assessment. I believe teachers that have fine tuned their listening skills are excellent instructors. They understand what their students need because they hear what they say works and doesn’t work. It’s important to remember that teaching should be a shared experience with two active parties participating in the process.

That sounds (no pun intended) a lot like music doesn’t it? The world’s best music would be meaningless without listeners. Likewise teaching would be meaningless without students to teach.