We all have different learning styles and learn things in a
number of ways. Think about how you best
learn math skills, reading, chemistry, music and singing.
There are 3 main styles of learning. Some of us use a combination of all 3 when
learning something new, but others predominantly use one style or another. Which type of learner are you: Auditory, Visual, or Kinesthetic?
- Auditory-
Do you learn best by example? Do you HEAR
something and then able to replicate it?
- Visual –
Do you prefer to SEE something to understand it? Do you often visualize a concept?
- Kinesthetic
– Do you learn best by DOING? Try and
try again is your motto until you get it?
In a private lesson situation, a teacher can tailor the
lesson and instructions to meet your learning style. If you visualize things best, a teacher may
use imagery to teach a concept. If you learn best by example, she may sing a
phrase to explain a theory. If you
physically DO to learn a concept, you may be given a physical task when singing
to show an idea. If you learn by doing a
mixture of things, she should combine ideas.
Find a teacher (or BE a teacher) who works with learning styles,
strengths, and weaknesses to make you the best singer you can be. You may not know HOW you learn best because
you never thought about it. Let someone
help you discover it along your musical journey!
Which way do you learn about singing best?
This is such a great question and one I want to spend more time on as I teach new students. I actually had a young lady once who could not pitch to the piano, but could pitch to my voice. She could sing back anything, but it was almost as though she couldn't hear the notes when I played a warm-up. Challenging, indeed!
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara, for sharing your thoughts. Students come to teachers at all different levels and abilities. It is part of our job to figure out how to teach each of them the best we can. Attending to different learning styles is essential to what we do! Best wishes to you!
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