M

Today’s workshop with Bryan Powell was very eye opening and a lot of fun! At the start of the class Bryan handed out guitars and let us play around with them before he started the workshop. Instead of giving us a handout or lecturing us on the names of the strings, guitar terminology or instructing us on how to hold the pick, he let us figure it out ourselves by trying different things and seeing what works versus what doesn’t. This type of approach was something I am not at all used to; I’ve always experienced the traditional style of learning where the teacher hands out a worksheet or a reading and I have to learn all the preliminary information before I’m even allowed to touch the instrument. He then immediately taught us how to play a few triads and we played the chorus to “What About Us” by P!nk. What was exciting about this was that everyone was able to play along to the song and nobody felt left behind or singled out. Without even knowing the names of the strings or proper technique, everyone in the class was able to play along to all the songs we attempted. This concept of instant success was something Bryan emphasized because it keeps the students motivated and excited to learn. While most teachers want their students to be excited about learning, skipping to the exciting parts isn’t very common in classroom settings. Once we were all excited about being able to play the guitar, we became eager to learn more about the terminology, technique, and theory behind how to properly play. Near the end of the workshop we got into groups and were instructed to compose our own piece. Bryan also didn’t give us any rules or guidelines we had to follow, which eliminated any anxiety or fear we may have had and allowed to focus more on the music and having fun playing songs. In the groups there were some people that were more advanced on the guitar than others, but that didn’t hinder their learning and enjoyment, nor did it discourage the beginners to play alongside them. This was another thing Bryan spoke about: peer learning. Having very little experience with guitar, it was helpful to watch my more skillful friends play and teach me than just listening to a teacher lecture about it. Additionally, this proved that you do not need to be an expert in order to enjoy playing and being successful. In summary, I learned a lot about the value of teaching and learning in a modern band setting, and all the amazing things you can attempt and accomplish that typical concert band cannot.