Do you believe in safety nets ?

[m19834]

I am thinking about this a lot right now.  I think that there are two main thoughts along these lines, teachers either believe in them or they don't.

Do you think it's better for a student to learn by splatting to the ground on their face and maybe breaking a few things (perhaps severly injuring themselves (emotionally)), after taking bold steps, or do you think it's better to provide some kind of safety net for them in order to help their courage in making bold moves, and to keep them from wounding themselves if they happen to fall ?  I am, of course, talking metaphorically.

I have noted mentally that even the best trapeze artists practice with safety nets until they perfect their routine (does anybody go without safety nets anymore ?).

I guess the argument either way would have to do with whether one learns more one way or another, but I don't know if that is truly arguable since if you choose one, you are not choosing the other and you can't collect information from the same event in both ways simultaneously.

[keyofc]

This question sounds extreme - what are you thinking about?
Recitals?

Recitals are not in my opinion - for perfection.  However, I would want it to be a rewarding experience for my student.  If i can tell that it won't based on their unreadiness for a piece - I would want to ensure they do well with the right piece.

I think you can learn by bombing - if you are really determined - but I think it's a poor way to be motivated.
Whatever happened to sharing music for the joy of it? 
I learned how to transpose on the fly by playing at church when I was very small ( I was the only one who knew anything about music and that wasn't that much then)
But it was an accepting audience - and I now play at concerts at times.
But I do it for the joy - I know there are a lot of people better than me - so what?
Sorry if I'm I digressing from the question....

For me splat zones are fun - but for some people they will never recover.  It depends, I think, on how you view the splat - would the splat diminish them as a person to them?
Or would they say - "Oh well, I gave it my best shot " and try harder next time.
We all knows that egos are very sensitive - I say make them look as good as you can -
and then they will be better than what you thought.
What do you think?

[m19834]

This question sounds extreme - what are you thinking about?
Recitals?

Yeah, but also auditions and competitions and these things.  The mentality of progression in general for the student.  Any kind of desire to take a chance with something.

What do you think?

I wil get back to you.  I definitely have to eat something or I may actually just melt into the earth.

[Essyne]

This is odd - lol - I have been turning this thought over and over in my head for the last couple of days. With graduation approaching nearer and nearer (one year now, lol, but I have a feeling it's going to go by at a rapid pace), my friends keep asking me what I'm going to do when I get out (sounds like prison, eh?). They think I'm insane for investing years and degrees on something as potentially "impractical" (well, you know what I mean. . . there was no other way to phrase that, really) as Music. The thing is, I can't see myself doing anything else, and I honestly HAVE no safety nets standing on deck. I'm just going to DO it (I know what you're thinking, "You tell yourself this now. . . .") --> But there's just no alternative for me.

Back to the actual question (or how I interpreted it. . . *checks*. . . yep, going off on a (semi)tangent as usual) : can you truly Learn (and I mean TRULY LEARN, honestly Internalize, 100% Know and Understand) something, ANYthing, without honestly Feeling and Experiencing it first? I think not. I don't personally believe that you can understand the Elements of anything until you actually DO it. Take, for example, my experience with cars. I know what the mechanisms are meant for, but I've never physically gone in and had to toy around with them. When something bad happens on the side of the road, I'm going to whip out my cell phone and call someone else to handle it because I don't truly comprehend what's the matter with my engine/whatever. I'm dependent. I'm never going to actually EXPERIENCE, which in my book, equates to never actually LIVING (haha, not the BEST example, but I hope you get my drift).
I truly think that this is what Life is about: Experiences. Because, frankly, in the end we're all going to die anyway - What's a little grease spot on the front of your shirt?  ( Couldn't help it  ).

Yeah, but also auditions and competitions and these things.

Are we talking strictly (superficial comes to mind, but not in the negative sense of the word) stuff like this? I was thinking more of a Musical career in general, and even then, was looking more at the Economical aspect of being a Musician. With auditions and stuff, the way I look at it, you are where you are regardless of the situation, just be THAT. Maybe this is why I LOOVVEEE to audition so much - It's so set. Sheer opportunity. There's really no gamble there. . . it's going to turn out how it's going to turn out, and that's that. If you make a "bad name" for yourself, all you do is come back next year 100% improved! You can't make yourself any more than you are, and you can't lose at auditions/competitions - the worst thing that will happen is that you emerge with more Experience - you'll be the same Musician (it's not like because you win 3rd or don't even place at all that you've suddenly digressed 3 levels, or something like that - I've never seen anyone's fingers just explode/whatever   . . . ).

[m19834]

Essyne, thanks for your post.  I read your words and think, here is a girl whom likes to think big, passionate ideas and likes the idea of living life to the fullest.  She likes the idea of taking chances and doesn't seem afraid of things not working out the way she would perhaps wish.  I think, here is a girl who has a solid roof over her head and a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in, as much food as is necessary, and lots of love and support all around her.  She has a support system made of parents, friends and teachers whose doors are always open to her and she doesn't even think to question life without it.