WHAT IS YOUR LEARNING STYLE?

No one has only one style of learning, but we do tend to have a predominate style that we prefer.  When learning music you may find that you have a different learning style than your normal preference.  I am a predominantly a visual learner, yet when learning music I prefer to learn by hearing and I have had to work very hard on building my visual skill of reading music.  The comments made here refer particularly to learning music and reflect my humble opinions as a music teacher and learner.

Visual Learner

The visual learner prefers to "see" things.  In music this will often be seen in a student who learns to read quite quickly and who is able to follow the visual cues on the score.  Music is both visual and auditory but we tend to relate it to hearing, but in order play one must "see" or "read" the music and be able to interpret it correctly.

The visual music learner may enjoy handouts, mind-maps, displays, reading web site information or books and may be quite keen on theory in a workbook.

Visual music learners need to be encouraged to use their ears when practicing.  They may not always hear their mistakes and are more likely to notice visually that they played a wrong note.

Auditory Learner

The auditory learner learns to play music primarily from listening to music.  This is the student who can often "play by ear".  These types of musicians can often hear a piece of music and reproduce it fairly accurately.  These learners will need to hear the piece before they learn it and will benefit from listening to recordings of their music.  Auditory music students need to be encouraged to build their visual skills because it is an essential skill in becoming a successful musician.

Auditory learners need to become strong readers who can memorize their music, but who follow their score and learn to play only what is there.  There may be a great deal of frustration with classical/baroque music styles where you must play only as the score or style dictates.   These type of learners may find that they are more suited to jazz or contemporary music where there is more freedom to create their own arrangements or improvisations.  These are not always written down, and will suit the auditory learner. 

Auditory learners may enjoy composition, improvisation, arranging and songwriting because it draws on their natural skills.  There may be some reluctance to complete the theoretical side of learning, and once again, this needs to be encouraged as it is an important part of creating a well-rounded musician.

Kinesthetic Learner

Kinesthetic learning involves physical experience, touching, feeling, holding doing hands on things.  Musical learning is very much a kinesthetic experience as it involves physical movements (technique) and feelings (expression) and may well also include movement and physical exercises.  For example piano playing is quite physical.  The pianist must both physically and emotionally control their playing.  It takes time and practice to be able to control the finger movements to create a beautiful legato.  It takes considerable practice to be able to express feelings on the piano.  Playing is not just a mechanical process.

To learn music successfully it is important to be able to integrate the three main learning styles into your practice routine.  Build on your strengths first, but then work away on areas where you are not as strong.  If you are very visual, practice listening skills. If you have auditory tendencies don't forget to practice your note reading.  Most importantly build your technique (kinesthetic) skills.  Without good technique your playing may never rise to the standard you desire.  

For a FREE  VAK learning styles test go to: http://www.businessballs.com/vaklearningstylestest.htm