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Raffaele Agostino is an Italian/Australian guitarist that has dedicated his life to sharing music. Be it on the concert platform or through his teaching and mentoring of students, Raffaele has been a dedicated ambassador of the arts and classical guitar.
Raff and I have had many conversations over the years on a number of topics and when I asked him to contribute to the CGC podcast he came up with a topic that not too many people talk about and that is finding your way as a young teacher.
Many of us are concerned with how to play or how to improve our own skills but it takes some foresight to think about how we are going to educate others in our lifetime. I can say that when I first started teaching I was relatively clueless about how to communicate effectively and I wish I had listened to this conversation when I was still an undergrad…
As always, another excellent podcast. I am not familiar with university studies in music but I have seen and heard so many talented young musicians and realise only a small percentage of them will actually be able to pursue a full time concert career. Besides talent, an international stage career might also have to do with marketing and a bit of good luck – winning the right competition, or simply being in the right place at the right time. Considering this, a university should just as well be responsible for giving students something to fall back on. Teaching, as we hear in this podcast, is a logical alternative.
I discovered classical guitar as a young adult and therefore approached the instrument from a purely recreational point of view with no intention of a career. Nevertheless, it seems to be natural if you have been playing for a while and perform occasionally here and there, you will be asked to teach children by their parents or other adults, who themselves would like to learn. This led me to “dive into the deep end” and start teaching a few students some years ago. Lucky for me here in Germany there are pedagogy courses offered by the national German Association for Plucked Instruments (Bund deutscher Zupfmusiker) specifically for players who have not studied music. These are not singular courses – in guitar pedagogy, and also in music theory and history – but programs spanning a period of 12 to 18 months, culminating in written and practical examinations. There are associations of this kind in other countries, e.g. the American Guitar Foundation in the U.S. If this is not already a part of their offerings, they might consider starting a similar program.
Well done Simon Raf and Janet
Good wisdom imparted in both podcasts in an easy to assimilate format. Loved listening to Raf’s knowledge and putting musicality into perspective.SCGS Orchestra rehearsals start in a few weeks with Raf and Janet. This podcast learning will help in orchestra study and playing.
Simon, best wishes for a successful 2016 and see you down under on your next trip.
Regards Greg