Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Blues Education Courses For Students Of All Ages

By Dale Peck


Anyone looking to acquire a Blues education today has many options. Times have changed and students are fortunate today to have choices unavailable before. In the early days, schools were a missing feature. Learning was a practical exercise. Local culture and surroundings provided fertile soil for nourishing enterprising musicians. Theory and analysis was to come in future.

Learning on the job remains an available option. But, the possibility of formal schooling means a broader perspective can be gained prior to any public exposure. As illustrated by the career development of Shun Kikuta, a mix of both expedites the maturation process. The musician from Japan was educated at Berklee, before he was inspired by a BB King record. His subsequent learning was through practical experience. By joining musicians in Chicago he was able to study on the job. His craft was refined with experience. Formal schooling developed skills he was able to exercise in his chosen career. For students not immersed in its nuances through experience, an introduction in school offers a route to deeper knowledge.

Blind Lemon Jefferson, an early 20th century guitarist, set the path later trod by the inspiring BB King decades later. Recordings of Jefferson inspired others who followed him. Awareness of historical roots of certain styles is a part of the development process for an artist. This kind of learning is acquired more easily through formal studies. Musicians who study and use musical elements and concepts fortify their musical grounding. They augment their capacity to add greater depth and expression to any style they choose to play after their formative period of study.

The sheer richness of the subject means students can spend years studying it in depth. The many subgenres and different instruments offer layers of accumulated depth. At the university level courses cater to specialist needs. For younger students, lessons are less sophisticated. They instead have their value in providing exposure. This is especially true if children do not live in an environment where they are exposed to this music. The classroom opens a new vista for them. Since the blues is the foundation of modern music, knowledge about it will only expand their musical horizons.

Formal courses, practical experience and online tools offer students an array of choices that were not available before. New tools like videos even enable teachers who have no experience to expose their pupils at the precollege level. Flexible and accessible resources now exist online to support school teachers.

Lesson plans are also available. Exposing children early on provides them with information they can use to decide what direction to choose later in life. The more material at their disposal the better chance they have of making an informed decision about a specialization.

Aspiring musicians will be happy to know video teaching can now offer a deeper learning experience. Form and theoretical analysis is also on the menu. Learning form is a key that is needed by students who want to make their own music.

Blues education resources continue to improve. Time is a friend in this regard. Whatever the level of interest, the variety on offer is able to fulfill the need.




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