[HANASHIR:1640] Re: Teaching theory

[DurlKare <DurlKare...>]

In a message dated 10/29/98 17:31:31 Central Standard Time,
Jess (at) scocon(dot)demon(dot)co(dot)uk writes:

<< This by the way is not an argument against theory page guys, just some
 thinking. Of course its useful if people know how to change keys and do all
 sorts of clever things. But primarily our work is to validate the
 individual, and enable us to work spirit to spirit, helping each other to
 fly.
 
 So our responsibility with young people is to make sure that as well as
 praticing technique and other peoples music they must know that their
 personal expression on that instrument is just as important as the piece of
 schubert they are learning.
 
 Theory is useful, but passion is the most important thing. >>

Thanks, Jess, for although long, your message hit upon some very important
points:

1) JEWISH SONGLEADERS have, as their primary goal, I THOUGHT, educating Jewish
communities about Torah through music, increasing spirituality, increasing
ruach, and in general creating feelings of love, togetherness and
Jewishness...
2) THIS LIST, I thought, had the same goals, and does not exist for
individuals to show off to each other how talented or knowledgeable they each
are or aren't...
3) Music theory is like any other discipline or theory.  I studied accounting
theory in college, but it is still not the same as doing accounting in the
office day after day.  Yet, would I say no one should study the theory?  No,
of course not!  Some may like to study theory from now til forever, and some
may not find a need for it beyond the basic or required courses.  I think we
need to be careful not to criticize each other for either the love of or the
lack of this expertise.  Each of us has something to offer.

-Karen