The Idiot and The Master Teacher... (Mar-28-08)

[moved from old forum:]

It's late and I should be sleeping,
But I wanted to get this down before I forgot any of the details.

I was with my young cousin today, she's 8.


She asked me if I could teach her some bass guitar,


As she was watching me though, she couldn't realize how I press my fingers down to make an open C Chord so easily.

I REALIZED I DIDN'T EITHER.

I reached a different place inside and /I/ realized I didn't know right off the bat how to communicate so many different things to her at once.

Well I did thankfully, with the help of a modified form of the Principles, that tailored to her concerns and needs at that moment.

During our talk though
She made such statements such as:
"I like the bass because it makes my body vibrate and I can feel it inside."

And had great insightful questions such as:
"Do you have to concentrate all the time when you're playing?"

"What do you do with your thumb when you're playing that and when you're playing that?" (C and D minor Chord respectively)

"How "did" I press my fingers down on the guitar?"

Her wonder, desire to know, and just genius in not being afraid to ask the right questions, questions in what she lacked knowledge of coupled with her desire to receive the answers.

She humbled me quite frankly.

And I realized if I could ask questions like that, and retain her wonder and interest at the "process" and the cycle of one note in that same unabashed way I COULD MAKE SUCH GREAT PROGRESS.

And I realized, SHE was the MASTER TEACHER, and I'M THE IDIOT.

But I'm workin' on it.

Have a great night.

-Richard

[moved from old forum:]

What a wonderful living fable!

Her finger press question related directly to why I have changed completely the way I press the strings in the last few months with astounding results in ease and tone.

I play in another left hand universe now because I asked myself the same question she asked you . I knew the answer inside out since I have been playing for a while ...but I also knew there was a much better way somehow...and I found it.

Her summation of the bass among others ...is perfect!


Well I think for you mastery is just a matter of time Richard....After all it takes one master (you) to known another (her) ...most would only see in her a 8 year old child asking disparate questions...

-Ney

[moved from old forum:]

In kung fu, it was not very long at all before they attempt to get students into the process of teaching.

If I remember, it was about year 3 this particular way.

But to get there, you need to stop and really focus how and why the details of each and every thing work, and attempting to teach someone else does exactly this "humbling" type thing.

Teaching adds a whole 'nother level of learning.

There must be a principle of this.

Something like "before you really lock it down tight" try teaching it, and see if you really want to burn in something you actually don't totally have a real grasp on yet.

Keep going ! Dust off, pick up, and just keep at it!

-Light Rock

[moved from old forum:]

Where I live there's an amazing drummer, who every drummer in the area tries to go to for lessons, and one day I asked him how he got so good...

his answer, 'Start teaching' - he thought that he only got good when he started teaching drums.

-Alin

[moved from old forum:]

Awesome post, Richard.

-stakedoarber

[moved from old forum:]

Yes, it was a great set of moments.

/Though/ it was all just a summation and exposition in life of a bit of chapters one and two of "The Principles...".

-Richard

[moved from old forum:]

I agree with everyone, that is an incredible and inspiring story, and perfectly exemplifies so much of what I teach.

What is really happening here? This little girl is responding to her experience with no conditioning, no assumptions, no fear, whatever. No obstacles, from the inside to the outside (so her questions arise spontaneoulsy from here unhindered presence, that is, attention). And, no obstacles from the outside to the inside (she is not afraid of asking her older cousin questions, she is not afraid of appearing ignorant, she is not responding to frustration to the challenges of learning guitar).

She is displaying mastery, plain and simple. For myself, when I have these experiences, I take out the "divine stationary" and write God a thank you letter!


Best,
Jamie