Re: Pedagogy at Services

[Klepper <d-klepper...>]

Hi Adrian (and friends) -

Re: your post about song teaching at services-

Song selection in general and especially teaching new melodies is a very
tricky and subtle thing.  You have to try and catch people in the right
mood at the right time with the right song.  Just before the service begins
is probably the best time.  If it's an 8:00 (pm) service, teach your new
song at 7:55.  When you're done, if you feel the congregation is edgy,
segue into an opening song they know and love.  Later in the service, use
the new melody.  Judge how well it was picked up - I have abandoned many a
fine setting after two or three attempts because it just wasn't right "for
them".  No use forcing music down people's throats; not if you want to keep
your job. ;-)

A few other ideas:

- connect the new song in some way to something happening in the service -
the Torah or Haftarah portion, the Rabbi's sermon, the composer is giving a
concert next week in town, you just came back from Hava Nashira...whatever
- i.e., you frame the song for the congregation; you give them a context
for it, it doesn't just "come out of nowhere".

- pick one service each month (the first Shabbat, perhaps) to be your
"teaching service". Then people will know what to expect. Either teach a
couple of songs at the beginning, or space them out in the service - see
which works best.   Announce it in advance through the bulletin, and if you
can, which songs you'll be teaching.

- make sure you hand out a songsheet with texts, translations,
transliterations, anything to make your job easier...

B'hatzlacha,
Jeff Klepper