Sabtu, 21 September 2013

Blues Education Courses For Students Of All Ages

By Dale Peck


A Blues education can be acquired in diverse ways. In the beginning, there were no schools offering to educate. The music developed and evolved within its surroundings and culture. Artisans learned in practice. This still remains a way to learn today. But, as its influence has broadened and spawned new genres of music, educational offerings are worth the time.

Practical experience remains a route to learning. But, educational opportunities bring a wider perspective to enhance artistic development. As Shun Kikuta, demonstrates by example, a combination of both can expedite the path to a professional career. The Japanese musician was trained at the Berklee School of Music, before he was introduced to the genre through a classic BB King record. Thereafter, he learned on the job by joining musicians plying their craft in Chicago. Slowly his skills were sharpened with experience. His formal education provided a base that supplied the skills he utilized in his new career path. An introduction to this art form in school also gives a deeper understanding to pupils who have not been immersed in the culture and its roots.

Blind Lemon Jefferson, an early 20th century guitarist, set the path later trod by the inspiring BB King decades later. Recordings of Jefferson inspired others who followed him. Awareness of historical roots of certain styles is a part of the development process for an artist. This kind of learning is acquired more easily through formal studies. Musicians who study and use musical elements and concepts fortify their musical grounding. They augment their capacity to add greater depth and expression to any style they choose to play after their formative period of study.

The evolutional trajectory of this form of music offer plenty of material for years of in depth study. Its different subgenres and number of instruments presents additional layers of accumulated richness. At the post-secondary level, a specialized focus can be sharpened. Yet younger students are served well enough with lessons that expose them to its distinctive sounds with some discussions of history to add context. In class, a new window is opened by introducing students to this American product born of real word conditions in the past. As modern music has many elements borrowed from the blues, such knowledge expands the possibilities. Further exploration of other genres in the future will only be enriched by earlier exposure to this art form.

Formal courses, practical experience and online tools offer students an array of choices that were not available before. New tools like videos even enable teachers who have no experience to expose their pupils at the precollege level. Flexible and accessible resources now exist online to support school teachers.

Online material includes lesson plans. Youngsters fortunate enough to be exposed through the classroom have an advantage over those who have not had this opportunity. It gives them a leg up in developing plans for the future. The more knowledge is made available, the better able individuals can be to make informed choices in their interest.

Video teaching is no longer limited to imitating the styles of others. Students can also get educated in the form and theory behind the art. Learning the form is vital to enable students to create their own music. It is the advantage of this era that this quality of instruction is now accessible online.

Available resources continue to evolve. Even prepared lesson plans evolve they are used. Fresh ideas develop as people use the material. Today, there are many ways to acquire a Blues education. Depending on the level of interest, the variety offers flexibility of choice.




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