What does it mean to learn by rote?

[elriba]

I have noticed in a few posts that it has been mentioned that when teaching little children, the first pieces may have to be taught (or are taught) "by rote".

What does it mean to learn by rote?

Best regards,
Edgard

[sarahlein]

Basicaly it's saying to the student: "Do what I do"

So you teach usually small pieces (upto 8 bars perhaps) by repeating a bar at a time and the student repeats what you play, till memorised.

Used with discretion it can help develop short memory, a sence of rhythm, dynamics shaping a musical phrace etc. using the ear.

Use it parallel to teaching note-reading so both skills develop simultaneously at the early (beginning) stage.

At least this is how I always understood it.

[penguinlover]

Rote is pure repitition.  They learn by doing the same thing over and over and over.......

[elriba]

Thanks.   That's clear....