Someone wrote to me recently asking if I thought my workshops would be suitable for them.
They had struggled at a recent community workshop because the teaching wasn’t based on reading music or understanding music theory.
I suggested that my workshop would be perfect because I teach everything by ear, and it would be good ear training for them. They would be focusing on listening rather than having their head buried in sheet music.
But it turned out that they didn’t think they had a problem with ear training. The problem with the community workshop was that it was too easy.
I’ve fallen into this trap myself.
I heard about a workshop for choir leaders. I wasn’t sure whether this was for people who wanted to become choir leaders, or for those who already had some experience. So I contacted the organisers and was told it was for anyone who thought of themselves as a choir leader, regardless of experience.
When I arrived at the workshop there were whispers as people realised who I was. I’d been labelled as “that guy who thought he was too good for the workshop.”
The fact is that, whatever the level of teaching, it’s always possible to learn something new — about you, about the subject, about teaching methods, about how others respond to instruction, about your own assumptions, or about how skilled you really are.
Whether it’s singing a song in unison, doing a familiar warm up exercise, or being taught a song you already know. There is always something new to discover.
I’m not suggesting that you actively seek out beginners’ workshops or training for something that you already know. However, if you do find yourself in a situation that you feel is too “elementary” for you, put that thought aside so you’ll be in a position to learn.
If you think you’re above something, or “too good” for it, then you’ll shut down all opportunities to grow and be wasting your time.
You might also like What you can learn from singing workshops to become a better singer or workshop leader and Don’t stagnate: there is always something new to learn and discover.
Chris Rowbury
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