10/24/2021
Did you know that negative comments can actually reinforce wrong performance? In my experience with teaching music, I have found that positive reinforcement is more effective than negative.
In commenting to children and adults, I try to get them to see the desired results. This helps them to visualize and stir their creative juices with positive reinforcement.
For example, "I like how you hit this passage, and counted this part. Let's carry that to this passage and phrasing."
And, "Let me demonstrate for you. Watch how I count this. Now let's try it together."
My philosophy is to help illustrate success and how to constructively change a weak performance to a strong musical one. University psychology studies have proven that pointing out wrongful and negative performance is not nearly as effective as bringing about desired change by giving positive comments. I remember hearing that the average child in the home receives only one positive response for every twenty-one negative responses. I heard this early on in my teaching career, but I always taught by positive reinforcement. I have continued to teach with positive reinforcement over the past thirty plus years. Positive comments build confidence and the desire to do better. I choose to teach success.
