In Scales Aren’t Just a Fish Thing, we study in a very structured way. Again, a lot of people look in from the outside thinking it is simply like the kiddie pianos with colored keys. It isn’t. This method goes in the backdoor of learning, skipping the road blocks and short circuits that have been built up over the years.
They simply say, “I read black notes and can listen to a song, so I’ll just keep trying to do this. It doesn’t work that way. There is no growth when you continue to the more difficult techniques and songs. You need guidance. There’s a very specific structured sequence we go through.
One of the things you will begin to understand is it’s not necessarily a song. Learning the song is a process of conquering the difficult short circuits you might have in your unique learning process. It could also be simply a lack of awareness of differences in how music or information is processed.
There are certain mental requirements to succeed. First and though it won’t seem to be important, you need to know ‘why’ you want to do this or as it becomes difficult you won’t have the determination to continue.
There’s a certain process, and as we progress, we will go deep into music theory, learning patterns, body dominance and the how to’s of making music.
This is a supercritical one, and that is the act of actually playing music. All the rest is the icing on your life’s cake.
Learning to play is a sequence. There is a specific sequence.
First you listen to the music…. A lot.
Second, you take the hardest part of the song and get it down perfectly. Scales Aren’t Just a Fish Thing Online School actually gives you these preview spots first. Play it until you can play with the mp4 video of that preview spot – up to – speed.
Third, take the whole song or parts of the song to work through.
Last….it is important to memorize the song and play it up to speed with the mp4.
This is about the Awesome Combo, which is really about how you add music theory and learning styles to your study learning styles and the study of music, you have an unbeatable combination for growth. of music. With all three, music theory,
If I reflect back on the stages of growth of the music lessons I have offered, and there’s been several stages now, the scale from that very, very first student up until where it is today it has ended up has been just extraordinary.
It’s just crazy, and it’s because of this thing I call the Awesome Combo. And it really is awesome. So, I just want to give you a quick overview of how this works, and maybe it’s a flash fast-forward into your life and what’s going to happen with your studies.
In the Awesome Combo it’s the idea of daily advancing with the skill of playing your instrument, understanding how you uniquely learn and the theory of music. You will have the opportunity to play music theory games and be given the tools to help you easily understand complex musical concepts..
As you continue in your studies you will grow in your musical skill and understanding of yourself and others. You will learn that everyone doesn’t understand information the same as you and you will become more tolerant with others shortcomings.
You learn:
how to read music
how to listen to music
the dynamics within music
combinations of notes,
how they sound
how they are played.
You might even try your hand at improvisation. – Playing something that isn’t written down.
With a degree in psychology and 30 years as a violin teacher, this incredible method developed to help students, no matter the age or learning difference, in their quest to deeply understand music theory, sight-reading and the actual tones being played.
The Gum Drop Notes color coding does not represent any psychological issue. We aren’t really seeing colors as we play. What is happening is that each note becomes a tone with a unique sound and color of its own. It takes on a characteristic that can be identified.
Keep in mind that the colors of the notes are subliminally teaching complex music theory concepts without a word of lecturing. Stem colors indicate the string the note is to be played on. Sharps and flats are reinforced by a circle of the color the note is moving toward. Card games to go along with the sheet music tunes teach the order and relationship of notes, symbols and rhythms, etc. Play-along movies bring the student up to polished speed and teach the the tune before the student begins to study the music.
It all seems too good to be true, but once you begin to use the Gum Drop Notes sheet music, play along mp4, and card games, you will be amazed at how fast you learn music theory and the music you are studying and memorizing.
Scales Aren’t Just a Fish Thing is a back door method of teaching just about anything
(I am using music and music theory as an example)
We can avoid short circuits and mental roadblocks by working with the unique wiring and learning styles of each individual.
Let’s Talk
Here’s what I think.
All learning comes
based on previous growth,
The mind does not grow
like an onion with layers.
It grows by weaving unimaginably complex patterns
that correspond to the multiplicities of the world
and people who make up the world of the individual.
A quiet easy student or child isn’t always better.
Once the child reaches 13 years old, they choose one of two paths.
Compliant or
Cooperative ….maybe. (sometimes misunderstood as resistant)
One is easier but once they reach maturity they say….
“Who am I- I’ve pleased everyone else but what would I have liked?’
Mom and Dad think they have done a great job and launch the compliant new adult into a world where life requires more than compliance if they don’t want to be eaten by the ‘sharks’.
Resistance and sorting out what they accept as their worldview,
while in the protection of the home,
is actually a bit of a good thing if done with respect for everyone.
Compliant Obedient Child
Responsible, Cooperative Child
1. Externally motivated. Needs to please and win approval 2.Is obedient – follows orders 3. Feels helplessness without support person 4. Self esteem is on the ‘reputation’ 5. Waits for orders, lacks initiative 6. “I am my actions” 7. Lets others make choices for them leading to consequences 8. Has difficulty projecting what the result of their behavior may be 9. External value system 10. Blindly obeys, possible he may think 11. Has no internal red flags 12. Self-defeating tendency to ignore personal needs, ‘walk-on-me’ mentality 13. Win-lose mentality 14. No personal achievement goals 15. Avoids punishment 16. Self exonerating behavior due to guilt over their desires
1. Internally motivated by choices and consequences 2. Makes decisions 3. Confident, empowered since choices have been confirmed 4. Self esteem is on the private self 5. Assertive 6. “I am responsible for my actions 7. Makes own choices and takes responsibility for consequences 8. Confident to make choices, aware of possible results 9. Internal value system 10. Thinks, may possibly obey 11. Has an established internal siren to establish boundaries 12. Aware of personal needs has a healthy acceptance of needs 13. Win-Win mentality 14. Focused, centered, with a mission 15. Seeks results 16. Balance between internal and external needs and desires versus others requests.
Scales Aren’t Just a Fish Thing
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Be sure to get your email on it so you can follow the ‘Scales Aren’t Just a Fish thing’ concept from start to finish.
Teaching Tools including
color-coded notes
for all the Suzuki literature
through Book 4 plus lots
gypsy, fiddle and canons.
Play-along music
and music theory card games
to maintain interest.
Gum Drop Note Sheet Music
Circles are the color the note is moving toward. Subtly the student is learning complex music theory without knowing it. When they play the music theory games, it stamps the ideas and embeds them into their thinking. Try them.
Remember: a note that is sharp or flat is notated with a circle the color of the note it is moving toward. Just a little help while we are learning.
The ’10 Minute Music Theory Card Games’ ™ is a year long series of card games intended to be played at the end of each lesson. This slowly builds understanding from the simplest concept until it is intrinsically understood. Students want to come to lessons because they are motivated and excited about learning. Their progress is solid and steady. They understand intervals and otherwise difficult music theory concepts by playing games until they are at lightning speed. All games include ‘clue cards‘ with all the answers ‘nurture don’t test’.
‘The Magnificent Fingerboard ™’ is the basis for reference. Students become familiar with the notes and the patterns. Combined with listening to the music, the understanding of the notes and their relationship to the notes around them, is a great musical foundation.