Beginner's Classes & Cicely Tyson

Actress Cicely Tyson

In the spring of 1981 when I was an undergraduate at UMass, Amherst, the late, great Cicely Tyson gave a talk on campus. I'd been a fan of hers since I'd seen her in the movie, Sounder in the early 1970s and was mesmerized just being in the same room as her.

After her talk, she did a Q&A and someone asked her, "What do you do to keep your skills sharp as an actress?"

She replied, "I take beginner's classes, I go back to the basics."

I was gobsmacked. I mean, the GREAT ACTRESS Cicely Tyson taking beginner's classes?!?!?!? My mind was blown.

And ever since, I've followed her example.

The latest example is that I've signed up to take a beginning guitar class this summer with the amazing Stash Wyslouch. The class will be at a similar level to my Guitar 3 class at The Passim School of Music.

From Stash's description:

"The aim of this course is to help you organize your practice time and break through barriers to unlock the guitar neck. The general framework of each class will be scales, repertoire and chords."

If you're thinking, "Janet, you already know how to do that!", you're right. So what do I think I'll accomplish by taking the class?

Stash's guitar playing is much more advanced than mine, as is his knowledge of music theory—he's a Berklee grad so he knows ALL the notes LOL.

Having the opportunity to review scale patterns (open and closed patterns), triads, along with a couple of bluegrass tunes are significant ways for me to shore up my guitar playing foundation. Also, getting support for organizing my practice time is worth the price of admission alone.

When I go back to the basics, it also makes me a better teacher and that's not just about sharing info and skills. It helps me remember what it's like to be in the "student seat", which feels VERY different from being in the "teacher seat".

From a student's perspective, I gain insights into more effective ways to communicate info to my students because I'm having all the normal learning curve train wrecks, and finding my way through them.

The class meets during a time when I'm teaching, so I'm grateful that he'll be recording them and I can study the material that way, plus reach out to him with questions.

What would "going back to the basics" look like for you?

Peace, Janet