Jim Solomon Music Workshop and a Ten mile Run

"You INSTANTLY become a better teacher of Orff ensemble and percussion ensemble when you can:

1. Simultaneously sing a song and clap an ostinato. . .

2. play one rhythm and speak another. . ." Jim Solomon

This is the kind of learning activity I was involved in on Saturday from 9AM to 3PM. I love attending Atlanta Orff Workshops because they always offer effective teaching ideas. And their notes are great offering step by step teaching techniques. Great music teachers are willing to take time to prepare their students. As teachers of music we always need to look for ways to promote good musicianship, breaking down musical performances into smaller manageable segments which can be attained by our students over tome and put together to create masterfully musical experiences.

Jim Solomon taught us nine musical selections reviewing the process of teaching along the way. Along the way, he also advised us of techniques we can use to become better music teachers. It all amounted to building our expertise and our students' on a good solid base.

I was so inspired that I ran ten miles around Stone Mountain after the workshop building my marathon base and pondering ways to build my own musical base.

I ran two speed sessions in the ten mile workout. Using my Garmin to keep me honest and timing the speed bursts. I took a one mile break between sessions and slowed down for the final two miles. The hills were challenging. The downhills were exciting!

In time, I will be able to reach my Half Marathon goal of 2:15. I need to keep building my base. To paraphrase Jim Solomon: "Don't be concerned about what you can't do right now. Put yourself on a five to seven year plan and keep working at it."

Slow and steady builds the speed!