Those that know me well, or have studied horn with me over the past years, know that I have a fondness for using analogies in my teaching.
Analogies can help students grasp abstract or complex concepts by relating them to familiar experiences or objects. They also give a teacher the opportunity to relate to the student in a more personal way.
When explaining scales to a young student, you could compare them to a staircase. Just as you climb a staircase step by step, you ascend or descend a scale in a similar sequence. This helps students visualize the structure of the scale. Introducing the concept of rhythm could be compared to a heartbeat--something palpable and real.
Here are three of my favorite analogies that I use in the course of teaching my private students:
1. For example, assume I am working with a horn student who also happens to be on the school baseball team. If I'm stressing the importance of blowing "through" a series of notes rather than "at" them, I might offer the analogy of a baseball player following through with their swing. With this "follow through" analogy, I am offering practical and personal advice to help my student realize the importance of continuing air support and musical energy through the phrase.
2. Another analogy involves the shaping of musical phrases and a heart monitor, both of which reflect life and emotion in their own way. Normal sinus rhythm shows as steady, with consistent highs and lows displayed on the monitor. This means that the patient is alive and well. If the monitor begins to look inconsistent, or starts to flatline, then that signifies a real problem! In the same way, musical phrases must have patterns and shapes that are consistent and recognizable in order for the music to have "life".
3. Lastly, one of my favorite analogies is related to high range development on the horn. A student will often ask, "How can I play higher?" My response is always, "Play lower!" Let's compare the embouchure to the building of a house. Building a secure structure begins with a solid foundation. In the same way, developing a strong low register will pave the way for a stable, successful high register. Once the foundation is solid, the structure is ready to rise.
Using analogies like these helps students better visualize and internalize musical concepts, making learning both engaging and more accessible. Feel free to share some of your favorite musical analogies in the comments below!