Aiming for Improvement

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Debra Youngblood

I was taking it all in. No, not just the wonderful food in front of me (although I did scarf that!), but the thought-provoking wisdom that Dr. Brooks de Wetter-Smith was imparting to us at the recent National Flute Association 2011 Convention’s Pedagogy Breakfast in Charlotte, NC. He had several insights to share, but one statement blazed a meteoric trail of light into my mind and heart:

 “Our aim is not to prove ourselves, but to improve ourselves, and to improve others.”

Now let that spark a flame in your thoughts, and you will begin to bask in the freedom that it offers. Continue reading →

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Escaping the Excuse Trap 3: Four Basic Attitudes

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Debra Youngblood
Escaping the Excuse Trap 3 (of 3) is a continuation of my presentation at the National Flute Association 2011 Convention in Charlotte, NC. (Click here to begin at Part 1.)
—Debra

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III. Four Basic Attitudes Underlying Excuses …and the Teacher’s Appropriate Response

Moving forward with positive change is hard work. It takes effort to fight against the inertia that the excuse trap has entrenched in your students’ habits. And road to freedom always has a few potholes along the way, and it helps to be aware of them before you hit them.

I’m speaking of the four basic attitudes that underly most excuses. These underlying attitudes are:

1. Immaturity
2. Incompetence
3. Laziness
4. Rebellion

You will need to know how to deal with these attitudes appropriately. Continue reading →

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Escaping the Excuse Trap 2: Five Keys to Freedom

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Debra Youngblood
Escaping the Excuse Trap 2 (of 3) is a continuation of my presentation at the National Flute Association 2011 Convention in Charlotte, NC. (Click here to begin at Part 1.)
—Debra

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II. Enable Escape by Unlocking the Trap:
Five Keys to Freedom

Now that you know how to distinguish between legitimate reasons vs. lame excuses, as well as what the Excuse Trap is and how it works, we are ready to enable escape!

Download your handout here and follow along!

There are Five Keys to Freedom in Escaping the Excuse Trap. These Five Keys are listed on the left hand side of your handout along with blank lines where you can write notes as we work our way through.

On the right-hand side, I’ve taken those same Keys and created labels for them with corresponding boxes underneath. We’re going to go through and fill these out together so that you can see how you can approach your students in a compassionate and respectful way and help them Escape the Excuse Trap. Continue reading →

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Escaping the Excuse Trap 1 – NFA 2011

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Debra Youngblood
Escaping the Excuse Trap 1 (of 3).

Photo credited to NFA Convention Chronicles

What a week of highlights! I just recently returned from the National Flute Association (NFA) 2011 Convention in Charlotte, NC and it was fantastic! So many friends to see (and make); so many concerts to hear (and play); and so many wonderful events to attend and (participate in). You’ll hear more about friends and concerts in future posts, but first, I must fulfill a request.

On the final day of this year’s convention, I gave a presentation entitled Escaping the Excuse Trap, a subject that affects everyone so universally that it fit in perfectly with this year’s theme, Unity through Diversity: Many Flutists, One World.

Debra outside of NFA 2011 Presentation Room

I felt honored to be chosen, excited as I prepared my topic and handouts, humbled as I watched the audience eagerly gather in the room, appreciative as they listened and followed each point with attentiveness, and encouraged as I greeted many gracious attendees afterwards. Continue reading →

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“Well done, faithful one!”

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Debra Youngblood

—A Paraclete Parable*—

“The business of music is like…”

A puzzled hush spread over the buzzing class as, one by one, each face turned toward the front of the room where a single figure stood, head tilted, stack of papers in hand.

Professor Matthews slowly, deliberately, moved a careful eye over the group of eager young musicians. It was day one of the fall semester, a fresh new year of hopes and promises and dreams of success…and time to set the studio standard. Continue reading →

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Blocki Flute Method Meets Major Challenges Successfully!

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Debra Youngblood
I recently wrote a combined book review on the award-winning Blocki Flute Method Book One (3rd Edition) and the accompanying Teacher’s Manual. As the book review covers aspects of teaching applicable to all instruments, I thought it would be helpful to include it for all readers. Enjoy! (And by all means, check out the site at www.blockiflute.com!)
—Debra
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As a flute teacher who has taught beginning flutists for over thirty years, I am aware of the many challenges that face young flutists as they lay the groundwork for a lifetime of enjoyment and success as musicians—as well as the challenges the teacher faces in enabling them. I have looked through many different beginner methods—and have tried several over the years—but had finally settled with using multiple books and many personally written handouts to cover the initial hurdles that meet these eager musicians. Continue reading →

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Private Prayer and Music Practice: A Tribute to David Wilkerson

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Debra Youngblood

David Wilkerson* passed away this week, and the knowledge of his death has brought a deep sense of loss. Although I’ve never met Reverend Wilkerson, nor even audibly heard him speak, he has been a great inspiration. I was so awed as a youth by his book, The Cross and the Switchblade, and have been blessed for years by his timely words written for the Pulpit Series newsletter, that two years ago at the National Flute Association Convention in NYC, the only place I took time to visit (besides Central Park) was Wilkerson’s Times Square Church—even though I knew Rev. Wilkerson was retired and would not be there! Continue reading →

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Four Easy Strategies for Documenting (Taking Lesson Notes) in a Music Journal

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Debra Youngblood

Time during music lessons is at a premium! There are so many skills to cover, so many new pieces to learn, so many performances to prepare for… Most teachers (myself included) get a bit frustrated trying to cram it all in without rushing the student through. (After all, students need time to think about what they’re doing and process new information!) As teachers, we know that documenting (taking lesson notes) is essential to effectively helping the students understand and retain new concepts and efficiently put them into practice. But in the “everything needed to be done yesterday” whirlwind of chair tests and competition, the overriding feeling of urgency makes it difficult to stop and take the time to write out key lesson themes and weekly assignments. Continue reading →

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In Defense of Dynamics (or “A judge reveals why Johnny didn’t get a One at solo contest.”)

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Debra Youngblood

I judged high school solo contest this past Saturday and really enjoyed it. Yes, really! I enjoy listening to the kids play and I love the music. I just wish everyone didn’t get so nervous (but I always did, too!) because each and every student musician has something great to offer. And—surprising to you students out there—I have high hopes for each child that plays. I may be the judge, but I’m in there cheering for every student. I want to give every player that highest superior rating: One. Goodness, I know how much courage it takes just to show up! But, I have to be as fair as possible, and that means some people get Twos and sometimes even Threes (yikes!). Continue reading →

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Multidimensional Music Practice™ Intro: The Artist’s Dream

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Debra Youngblood

There is one attribute that all artists have in common: they dream. Artists sense the intangible and reach for it with such strong desire that they cannot rest until they have touched it, caressed it, and captured it into a perceptible form that others can share. Continue reading →

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