Tougas-Coyle-Ch.5-7

 Something I really loved about these chapters was that it began to focus a little more on actual teaching styles and how to apply these principles directly to when we teach. In chapter five, he focused on what we already discussed in class last time which was, skill versus gift. I found his perspective on it interesting with the concept of how our primal cues really are what create a skill in us which people often describe as the broader term, ‘gift’. I don’t know how much I necessarily agree with this entirely, especially because the sample sizes he uses are quite small in comparison to the general population, trancing for more of a red herring fallacy than anything else- yet intriguing nonetheless. 

I was impressed by the concept of what Coyle calls “The Sistine Chapel Effect”. It almost feels like a scene from a movie: When the odds are stacked against you, you’re more likely to succeed. It creates a feeling of urgency- as he describes it- that ‘better get busy’ feeling. As I read through this part, I reflected on my experience in choir, musical theater, color guard, concerts, competitions, etc.. Each and every person who performed a little better than I did scared me just a tad, but that tad was enough to push me farther than I was willing to go before. There is a saying that the minute you stop learning, you have already lost some of your knowledge. I think we aspire to keep learning for this dream, this HOPE of, “Hey, that could be you” (Coyle, p.153). I also think however that it borders the line of intimidation which becomes an act of discouragement, not encouragement.

Finally, he talks about the positive reinforcement we must use and how we must use it to encourage those we teach. The fascinating part is it doesn’t take a lot, but the start is really what makes or breaks the learning process. The way you interact right from the beginning determines how the student will see themselves and their ability and ability to progress from that point on. You must be their confidence till they have a backbone built by some of their own. He makes a great point about positivity through Tom Sawyer through his statement of, “Does a boy get a chance to whitewash a fence everyday?” Since reading this, I find myself asking the same question except phrased like this: “Do I get the chance to sing everyday?” The obvious answer is yes, I do, but the metaphorical question I mean is, do I have the attitude that is a profound gift given to me each day to sing, practice, and play? How would this change my practices? How would it shape my performances? How would I become a different musician? Food for thought. 

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