jazz education
As you can probably guess the concept is simple. If you practice, you improve, and you gain interest. Conversely, if you don’t practice, you don’t improve, and you lose interest. I find it simple and understand- able, particularly for younger students.
Lemonade: This one is my own creation. We know lemonade has three ingredients: Lemon juice, sugar and water. I equate each one of these with an element of being a good musician.
I equate lemon juice with talent. Just as there would be nothing but sugar water without lemon juice, there is not a good musician without a certain amount of tal- ent. “What is talent?” and “Does everyone have talent?” are topics we could discuss forever.
I equate sugar with training. Lemonade without sugar is diluted lemon water; a musician without training is at best, fall- ing short of their potential. It is imperative developing musicians get some level of training. In this modern era there are many different ways to find training: classes, lessons, YouTube, books, videos etc. are all viable means of instruction.
Finally, I equate water with practice or work. Lemonade without water is sweetened lemon juice. A musician who doesn’t practice will almost certainly not reach their potential. It is also important to note for students that the majority of lemonade is water, so goes your musical training. The majority of your success as a musician will be directly related to the amount of work put in.
Good vs. Bad Ego: When my students experience success as musicians at an early age I often have ego issues with which to contend. I am sure I’m not alone. Simply put, we all need good ego to have the confidence to perform and realize there is an audience for what we do. Bad ego is anything that prevents us from growing. It can be terribly destructive.
I would like to conclude this article with a quote from my long time teacher/mentor Don Linke. He addressed ego with me
Wisconsin School Musician 35
when I was his 17-year old student saying: “It’s very easy to be a hero to a bunch of idiots. It is very difficult to be considered an artist by a bunch of musicians.” While not the most scholarly statement, it has always resonated with me as being an undeniable truth. Part of our job as edu- cators is to gently guide our students to a healthy level of self-deprecation so they can become self-regulated learners.
I know we all have our own favorite philo- sophical gems. Please feel free to share with your colleagues. We all need good bulletin board material to start the year. Best wishes for a great 2018-19.
Doug Syme is director of jazz studies and arts department chair at Milwaukee High School of the Arts.
Email:
symedw@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
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