The tech-savvy “guru-shishya” learning tradition - asynchronous lessons, video libraries and beyond
What was the amazing thing about the old guru-shishya teaching structures? The level of immersion and high-contact learning with the teachers. Students used to be with their teachers every day, through concerts and practice sessions, and through observing other lessons. Now I admit, there were several potential issues with this situation that people, including myself, have recently brought to light, but for today, I want to chat about some elements of the GSP that were lent itself to immersive learning and the benefits of that immersive learning.
I’m sure if you’d had a language teacher in your school or college, you’d have heard, “there’s nothing like going to [insert country] to build fluency in the language”. Similarly, another vocal coach of mine used to say, “technique is taught, style is caught”. Putting these two concepts together, we can see why “immersing” yourself in music, either through listening, going to concerts, spending long hours with your teacher, practicing in front of them and getting immediate feedback so you know you’re practicing progressively, is beneficial.
While we today cannot be around our teachers day in and day out just imbibing knowledge owing to our busy lives and the fact that we are balancing so many things, not just music, technology can deliver some of the immersive benefits to us. I also will go on record saying that I don’t believe that being attached to your teacher at the hip is always good. However, the level of growth due to the intensive immersion is hard to ignore.
So, what can technology do for us?
1. Asynchronous lessons - (I know, I know, to my students, I sound like a broken record). So while I cannot be with you more often than our one class a week, what I can do is provide some feedback on your practices, what you are working on, encouragement on your wins asynchronously! However, what folks sometimes miss out on is that asynchronous learning is EXACTLY like a lesson, which means there is continuous communication! Sometimes, when I provide an asynchronous lesson for someone who’s missed a lesson, I don’t get a recording back! And that’s okay if that’s what you want! BUT for it to be a true asynchronous learning experience, imagine we were in the same room and you were repeating after me and then me providing feedback there and then. This is the same thing with asynchronous lessons, except the back-and-forth can take a few hours.
2. Video/Audio Libraries - Again, I cannot be there with you every day, but I do provide a video library for more support. These are also request-based! So ask me for things you’d like specific at-home guidance for, and I will make those recordings for you. Chances are you are not the only one!
3. Practice calendars - When you are with your guru daily, it builds consistency and motivation to practice at home before you see them; then you show them what you practice, learn something new, practice in front of them, go home, review it and then come back. Or if you are doing an intensive session with them, you are basically practicing in front of them. The practice calendar + asynchronous classes are meant to build that for you, but on your own time, based on what works for your schedule and availability.
4. Listening! I’ve told this story before — I used to get dragged to concerts, whether I fell asleep at them or not, to listen to music. I heard my mother and grandmother sing as I was growing up. It was an immersive world of Indian Classical Music for me. We may not have time to go to each and every concert that’s out there, but once again, technology gives us platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, the list goes on. As part of practice, I encourage a lot of listening to recreate that immersive learning medium for yourselves. I’ve heard folks say “ain’t nothing like the real thing” — however, I’ve heard a lot of my younger students break out into some impressively difficult pop songs effortlessly! I’m sure they have been to none or very few concerts on a regular basis — but they do love listening to these songs! So, if we develop some time in our weeks and in our practice to listen to music actively, we can add to the immersive learning experience. And remember, even if you can’t sing that day, listening does count as practice!
So yes, the immersion of the guru-shishya learning experience can be recreated today that can be seamlessly integrated into the busy lives we lead. It will not look the same as the immersion of the past, but it definitely adds a valuable boost to your learning and artistic journey!