Music as a Language: Victor Wooten at TEDxGabriolaIsland
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN commenters point to it when discussing how to teach children or beginners, as a language-like alternative to formal instruction.
What it is
Bassist Victor Wooten argues that music should be learned the way children learn their first language: by immersion and play, without early correction or rigid academic instruction. He draws on how babies pick up speech from the people around them.
Recommended by 3 HN commenters across 3 different months, 2017 to 2018.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec pdkl95 · 2018-12 · on “Tying Allowance to Chores Could Kill Kids’ Motivation to Help Out”
> it's important at the beginning to do the chore together This is very important. Kids are clever and surprisingly capable when they are able to gain some firsthand experience. The problem is they don't actually have that experience. Humans learn by observing and imitating ; working together on the same task lets them easily observe in detail from an experienced role model. Immediate feedback lets them rapidly iterate their attempts to imitate their observations. Victor Wooten gave an outstanding TED talk[1] on this topic[2]: > If you think about how you learned [to speak English], you realize you weren’t taught it. People just spoke to you. But the coolest thing is [...] you were allowed t
Recommends michielk · 2017-08 · on “Ask HN: Know of any non-digital toys/games that teach, for 6-10 year olds?”
A musical instrument. I would suggest not teaching them the traditional way, but in a more natural way. Check out the approach of Victor Wooten [0]. If you want things a little more structured, try Improvise for Real [1]. Both will teach creativity, self expression and more. Plus its fun! [0] [this video] [1] www.improviseforreal.com
Recommends expathacker · 2018-10 · on “In Praise of Mediocrity”
Check out Victor Wooten's Ted Talk on thinking about music as a language. He compares learning music with learning to talk. The general premise: "Nobody waits until you're an expert in language before being allowed to speak, why are you expected to be a master before you can make music with other musicians?". [this video]