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Multiple Intelligences

© Deborah Jeter

We all have our strong and weak areas in learning. However, it is amazing to me, just how easy it is to find a way to use music to teach just about anything to anyone! If ever there was a "wonder-way" to teach and reach every student in the way they learn best, it's through this marvelous subject, music! No matter what the range of talent or ability in music, we all have an ability for enjoying a musical experience. Remember, there is no such thing as tone deaf. There are many folks who might disagree with that statement, but I have come to believe that the people that aren't able to sing in tune have just not been lead with the appropriate approaches. In other words, we just need to find their learning style strength and approach the ear-training from their particular point of understanding. There may be exceptions to this approach but it is my belief that the majority of out of tune singers simply haven't been given the opportunities to learn the way they learn best.

For some examples of ways to reach the out of tune singer, please see the articles listed directly below this paragraph and then after absorbing the thoughts brought forth by them, proceed through this article and learn other ways that you can use music as the vehicle to reach ALL of your students at their level, using their special areas of maximum comprehension.

http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article... and http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article...

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It's important to be aware of the theory of multiple intelligences. There are now Eight Intelligences, the most recent one being added by Mr. Howard Gardner is, "The Naturalist". As you read through the explanations involved in these types of learning modes, keep in mind how easy it would be to incorporate music in each.

http://www.brain.com/seven.html Seven Intelligences (really, it's Eight)

The seven intelligences identified by Gardner include: linguistic intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence, spatial intelligence, bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, musical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, and intrapersonal intelligence.

Linguistic intelligence - refers to an individual's capacity to use language effectively as a vehicle of expression and communication (Examples: poets & writers)

Logical-Mathematical intelligence - refers to an individual's capacity to think logically, use numbers effectively, solve problems scientifically, and discern relationships and patterns between concepts and things (Example: mathematicians and scientists).

Spatial intelligence - refers to the capacity to think visually and orient oneself spatially. In addition, spatially intelligent people are able to graphically represent their visual and spatial ideas (Examples: artists,