{mosimage}Reviewed by Diana Tolmie
Philip Johnson is a Canberra resident, and aside from an impressive portfolio of performance and academic achievements, he has been kicked out of no less than 6 violin teachers’ studio. Including possessing his own largely attended private piano teaching studio, he undoubtedly has the qualifications to be writing a pedagogy book based on getting great results from the six days between music lessons. This topic is in itself nothing new however what readers hope to gain is a no nonsense approach to understanding their students within not only the realm of the 21st century and the accompanying environment but also ways of revalidating learning and practising a musical instrument. In short the approach is communication of what is required to be done within the time frame from lesson to lesson – be it between tutor and student, tutor and parent, or student and parent.
Of merit Johnson not only gives accurate stereotypes of students (Chopping Wood with a Spoon, Shiny Object Polishers, Sheep Counters – and believe me there are many many more) but ways of recognizing their traits, and applying methods to either combat or rectify their practice flaws. Some anecdotes are appropriately used for humorous purposes or at the beginning of chapters to set the idea for what is following however does not overpower the general feel for the book. A good example is when Philip Johnson refers to the rate a music lesson rolls quickly around the following week as the same as a ‘windscreen on a bug’.
Food for thought there…..
Not only written with a light-hearted and sympathetic approach (Philip is on the side of both student and tutor and the parent), solutions also include ways of making sense out of practice and to turn it into one big game while moving the concept away from ‘chore’. The overall aim is to avoid being time-conscious and gain focussed, effective and therefore efficient practice.
Elements of technology are advocated plus further help can be freely gained from the supporting and very useful website practicespot.com
This book is appropriate mostly for the home studio however school students/teachers will respond to this approach where used appropriately.
Have already test-driven some of these ideas and am happy to say that 2006 is looking to be a good teaching year.
Philip Johnson’s book may be accessed on line at the above web address.