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From: Douglas Tate
Date: Sat, 5 Oct 1996 20:57:27 +0100
Subject: Tone deaf

I take issue with both of my friends Steve Jennings, and fjm

>>Steve
One has to take into account the fact that teachers of large classes
of children only have so much time in which to have everyone "get it" - those
who don't achieve this are "tone deaf" and carry this arbitrary put-down long
into later life.

Teachers of music do have limited time, there are teachers of music in
schools who do exactly as Steve says and relegate the people who have
difficulty in perceiving pitch differences and singing to the role of 'tone
deaf'
However, I have been privilaged to teach children in large numbers and to
see over 2000 music teachers doinfg the same job, and I do assure you that
the vast majority do what I do. Coax these children away from their note,
to another, and later to a third and praise their faltering steps. They no
more relegate them to the ranks odf the incompetaent than they do those who
have diffuiculty playindg a top d on a flute just because have not yet got
the technique.

>>Fjm
To generalise my statement
and use it as a springboard to attack the teaching of music by
insensitive louts is unfair.

Just because a teacher may not be able to cope with overlarge classes , or
may not have learned the technique of dealing with children with
difficulties does not make them insensitive louts any more than an embyonic
blues player not being enntirly in idiom is a gross fool.

All of us, even Steve and fjm and myself make mistakes and are not able to
cope sometimes.

Douglas t