"Mistakes are just information": A case study of a highly successful violin pedagogue. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blackwell, Jennifer
• Is Part Of: International journal of music education. Volume 40:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 78
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Applied music teaching -- metacognition -- pedagogy -- spiral curriculum -- violin; Music -- Instruction and study -- Periodicals; 780.7
• DOI: 10.1177/02557614211025770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0255-7614

Abstract

This study examined the instructional context, pedagogical techniques, interpersonal dynamics, and personal characteristics of a teacher and her collegiate students in a renowned private violin studio. Through lesson observations, interviews, and analysis of artifacts, the following themes emerged: (1) a nurturing, non-judgmental environment, characterized by "neutral" teacher feedback; (2) clearly defined learning expectations, lesson structure, and work habits that are mutually understood by student and teacher; (3) a clear emphasis on learning to practice effectively in the student's own time, including "practicing practicing" within the lesson; and (4) explicit instruction on how to teach others. Analysis of the data suggests that this studio might be best understood through Bruner's conception of a spiral curriculum, as the structure and content of all student lessons were virtually the same regardless of student level, but the complexity of the tasks increases greatly as students progress.