Note to Self
September 16th, 2008
As a postscript to yesterday’s entry, I would like to share a little bit of silliness that I engage in. Call it a game with myself. The first pic is of the back wall of the rehearsal hall, where I can see it during rehearsal. It is a motto for myself-a little reminder during class time to focus on the “play vs. talk” balance. The second pic is of a banner that hangs over the inside of my office door. My students probably don’t know it exists; it is the last thing I see before I walk from my office into the rehearsal room. What thought do you want on the tip of your tongue as you greet your young proteges?
Entry Filed under: Director's Diary, Recruiting & Retention
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1. Doug Butchy | September 16th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Great ideas! I’m going to steal this!!
2. carystewart | September 18th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Steal away, my friend. That’s what we’re here for!
3. Mr. ReBand | September 20th, 2008 at 7:24 am
I totally agree that the play vs. talk balance needs to be at the forefront of our minds in rehearsal. I will sheepishly admit though that sometimes I ramble just a little so I don’t have to hear those 7th grade woodwinds for a moment before starting them up again. I know, if I’d have them playing, maybe I could help them sound better. I guess it’s only September after all.
Another slogan I like. “Remember the 6%”-the 6% that really have a passion for music. Be inspired by them and inspiring for them.
“6:1″ 6 positive for every one negative comment (a challenge for me obviously). Six…..really?, 6 nice things….um, nice…use of gravity….?
for the kids and directors “Know discipline, Know success. No discipline, No Success”
4. Cary | September 20th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
6:1….that’s good. Difficult, but surely effective.
5. Stengel99 | October 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 am
I like your “Make Music, Not Speeches” sign. Reminds me of the 10-second rule: When rehearsing a piece, say what you need to say in 10 seconds or less, they get back to playing again. Any more than 10 seconds, and it’s a speech, and students lose focus.
6. carystewart | October 4th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Steve,
Yes, the ten-second rule. Exactly. It has the same effect (and the same difficulties) as the 6:1 rule. That is, in ten seconds you can only give one instruction (i.e. criticism). In ten seconds you cannot burden the students’ souls with twenty or thirty negatives about their playing…in ten seconds, you can only give them one instruction about what to differently next time. This leads to a third corollary to the 6:1 rule and the 10-second rule: Give the students small chunks with which they can be successful (feel like rock stars) before moving on.