End of another day

[saxikath]

I feel unproductive today. Not like there was that much for me to produce, but I feel like I should've gotten more done. Ah well.

Random rumination of the moment: Is there some truth to "Those who can, do; those who cannot, teach"? I can sing, but as I do this vocal directing thing, I'm not altogether convinced I can teach other people to sing. Although my alto lead did sound markedly better last night than she had the last time, so maybe I taught her something useful after all.

Anyway, I'd better head across town to MIT for tonight's rehearsal. Crossword magazine in hand, since it's a blocking rehearsal and I will thus be doing a lot of sitting around.

Comments

[kayre]

Don't confuse "being able to sing" with "having a great voice." I have a mediocre voice, but I know how to use it well-- so I am able to help others use their voices better, even those with naturally better voices than mine. Sounds like you are the same way. It's no different from aging gymnasts or dancers being able to teach moves that they can no longer do, really. The knowledge counts-- keep sharing it!

[otherbill.livejournal.com]

IMHO, There are some areas where it applies better than others. For physical activities, it applies very well--as kayre said with the aging gymnasts, just because one cannot do something now does not mean they were never able to do so.

This may play into the differences between talent and skill--a "low-talent/high-skill" person could easily teach a "high-talent/low-skill"...but not vice versa.

(For mental activities, I'm not sure it applies as well. I'm not sure I'd want to learn arithmetic from someone who can't figure things out without a calculator.)

[greyman.livejournal.com]

That expression bothers me because it is so black and white. It's not just do/can't do, but excel/do well. It's quite possible to be a second tier X, but be a first tier X teacher, or derive more satisfaction out of teaching than doing, even though you *could* do.

Also, teaching well is a skill unto itself. As is directing.

I'm a competent guitar player, when I practice. I'm a better guitar teacher, because I have some teaching skills as well as guitar skills. I've been a reasonably competent pit orchestra leader and a journeyman composer. None of that means I can't play the guitar, just that I'm not at the top of the field. Nor do I enjoy it enough to devote the attention to it needed to excel.