Understanding Workshops, Private Lessons and Some Terms Used In Both:
Hello Dulcimer Playing Friends,
The October New / Young Dulcimer Players Forum will cover workshops and private lessons. This forum will be held on October 14, 2008 at 8:00pm central.
Workshop (classroom teaching):
people meeting for intensive study in some field, group lessons.
Private Lessons:
not a public lesson, personal teaching, something to be learned individually.
Have you ever attended a workshop and came out thinking, “Wow!!! That went right over my head!” or “I already knew that.”?
Workshops are some of the best places to study the dulcimer, but with so many workshops to choose from how do you pick the ones best suited to you? How do you determine your level of skill? Understanding the terms used in the workshop description is very important in selecting the workshops to attend. What is the definition of Rank Beginner, Beginner, Beginner/Intermediate, Intermediate, Intermediate/Advance, Advance, Advance/Professional, and Professional or Masters? Should you choose a workshop based on the instructor teaching the workshop or what is being taught? Why do some instructors list the song they will be teaching and some don’t? What are some things you should do before the workshop to help you be better prepared for class? What are some things that you should bring with you to class? Should you sit by your friends/relatives in class or should you pick different sides of the room? Should there be age range workshops? If so why do you feel that way? What are the goals (both from instructors and students) that you hope to obtain from the workshop? Can everyone learn something in a workshop? Or are there some people that don’t get much out of group instruction? What are the benefits of a private lesson? How often should you take private lessons? What about workshops/private lessons that teach in the traditional style of teaching with no tab? Do you prefer song based workshops or technique based workshops? Why are there song based and technique based workshops?
Bring your thoughts and suggestions about workshops to the forum. After all we are all students of the dulcimer and we are continually learning new things about these wonderful instruments we play.
As I hear from the hosts I will post / update the host list.
Hope you can make it to the forum on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 8:00pm central.
See you in the forum!
Jeff Hames

