| The need to know versus what we want them to know versus when they need to know it is a big question.
It is important to me that kids leave able to be conversant musically; that they can participate in community band if they want, that they are appreciative of many different types of music and support arts and live music; are able to play for church (which may include transposing from time to time). Is it imprtant that they know 15 major scales plus minors in all 3 forms to do so? No, not really, but it is imortant that they know G# and Ab sound the same and are fingered the same. That you can count 9/8 in 3 or in 9 or asymmetrically.
Then again, is it important that we know genus and species? Why does the average person need to know trigonometric functions?
The answer is because that makes us human. We challenge our students intellectually because it allows them and causes them to grow. Like a muscle, we need to train our brain and stretch it or it gets weak. Applying old information to new situations forces us to learn and reinforces what we already know.
To summarize my point of view: because that's what is required for success in our subject area. Band/music are fun subjects, and they are different because of the relationships we build while playing and the relationship we build with the subject itself. But to enjoy that relationship, we need to be proficient enough to speak the language. Fun via success...but success comes at a cost.
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-Glenn
"Roses have thorns; shining waters mud. Clouds and eclipses stain the moon and the sun; and history reeks of the wrongs we have done. After today, after today, consider me gone."- Sting |