What Blues Guitar Taught Me About Teaching

When I first started playing the guitar, I gravitated towards the blues. Over a relatively short period of time and self-teaching, I began playing in coffee houses, campus pubs, and eventually open mics (and my own short-lived band) here in Austin.

Music has always given me a creative outlet, a means of self expression and self reflection. You can learn a lot of things while playing blues guitar in front of a live audience of 1 or 100. In retrospect, playing blues guitar taught me some important things about the art of teaching.

Although it might sound crazy,there are definitely some distinct commonalities between playing live blues guitar and standing in front of a classroom leading a group of students on a learning adventure.

Know the language: The blues has a basic structure - typically 12 bars. Like any other musical genre, you need to "know the language". It is not just the chords and the notes. It is also the combinations of notes that fit (and those that don't), the phrases of notes that fit together, and the inflections that sound (and feel) best.

Teaching is built upon a basic foundation as well. Teaching requires you to know the language of the class in front of you. That could be at a cultural or professional or educational level. Nonetheless, you need to know their language and speak to them accordingly. You need to know not only the content but the context as well.

An improvisational genre: The blues is highly improvisational because of the basic foundation upon which it is built. Though there is a structure and foundation, much happens on a moment-to-moment basis based on what is happening right here, right now.  The greats have the ability to play slightly behind the beat, creating an unforgettable groove.

Teaching is no different. The best teachers have learned to meander down paths that can initially appear to be rabbit holes in order to create a teachable moment. They then use this moment to add emphasis to their original thought process. The great teachers have the ability to start with this basic framework, get into the zone, and find a groove to share with their students.

The connection of emotion: The blues is a souflul, heartfelt musical genre. Its emotional elements connect with an audience on a deeper level. The best blues guitar players have a way of connecting through the notes they play.

The same is true with teaching. Making an emotional connection - be that through humor or real life stories - allows the educator to connect with the audience. Creating emotional resonance and dissonance can turn a bland lecture into a true educational experience.

In tune with your audience: It may appear obvious that the blues musician has an audience. But he has to know how to play to the audience and feed off of them. Much is based on audience response. The call-and-response historical origins of the blues are dependent upon the interaction with the audience.

Guess what? You have to know your audience as a teacher. You may have to inquire directly, but oftentimes it is through the subtle perceptions, the give-and-take with them, that allow you to adjust your teaching plan and strategy as you progress through the class.

Something special: Playing live in front of a crowd, guitar slung over your shoulder, toes tapping to the groove, you go to another world. In the feel of the moment, with the feedback and interaction from your audience, you create something special. A good performance can be timeless.

Teaching a class is no different. You find that special place where you create something special, a timeless educational experience.

Now, if I could just set my lectures to a 12 bar structure and play a few riffs along the way ...

Photo credits: Bengt Nyman