Comments on: The African Way of Learning…Just Do It http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it You don't learn a language, you get used to it. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:27:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ketutar http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-163155 Ketutar Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:27:38 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-163155 LOL - in Finland we have a saying: "I speak four languages; Finnish, Savonian, low and loud" In Finland, majority of Finnish speakers won't speak any other language than Finnish, majority of Swedish speakers won't speak any other language than Swedish, it's not that they couldn't, it's that they won't. Except for the cultural elite who considers ability to use several languages a sign of cultural superiority, and some young people who think it's fun to communicate with people. As far as I know, this goes for the rest of the Europe as well. LOL – in Finland we have a saying: “I speak four languages; Finnish, Savonian, low and loud”
In Finland, majority of Finnish speakers won’t speak any other language than Finnish, majority of Swedish speakers won’t speak any other language than Swedish, it’s not that they couldn’t, it’s that they won’t. Except for the cultural elite who considers ability to use several languages a sign of cultural superiority, and some young people who think it’s fun to communicate with people.
As far as I know, this goes for the rest of the Europe as well.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Patrick Honeyman http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-138929 Patrick Honeyman Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:31:51 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-138929 I like what you've written here, very truthful and hits the spot exactly. We can't battle tiredness and fatigue in the body but we can make the best of what we have and can do. I'll take the points on board and keep on ploughing towards what I want to do. Hoping to take the JLPT N1 in December, pass and improve my job chances. Getting out there and doing it is the best option though, regardless of race, sex, age, circumstances and education.  Need to work on being more ruthless. The one ability I seem to lack unless pushed. I like what you’ve written here, very truthful and hits the spot exactly. We can’t battle tiredness and fatigue in the body but we can make the best of what we have and can do.

I’ll take the points on board and keep on ploughing towards what I want to do. Hoping to take the JLPT N1 in December, pass and improve my job chances. Getting out there and doing it is the best option though, regardless of race, ***, age, circumstances and education.

 Need to work on being more ruthless. The one ability I seem to lack unless pushed.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: 星空 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-59562 星空 Sat, 06 Nov 2010 01:20:55 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-59562 1）昔、好きな友人は私にＸＪＡＰＡＮの　「ＣＩＲＣＬＥ　ＯＦ　ＬＩＦＥ」を聞かせた。　あの歌が３０分間なんだってばよ！それに、ピアノと太鼓を弾く者は piano bangingしなきゃ。この友もピアノを弾けるの。　あの歌にはsheet musicを買って私に見せてあのpiano bangingしなきゃ所に何も書かれなかったのよ。 2）４週間前ＸＪＡＰＡＮはＮＹに来て　新聞にそれについてを読んだんだ。日本語を分からない友に訳詞を送ってあげた。エメールで　”一番じゃなくて編集して方がいいかもしれないのに、どうぞ”って書いた。 ３）５年間学校でラテン語の授業に居て、先週、同じ正確な会話したのよ！そして、勝本のような同じ事を言ったわよ！驚くはずかぃ？勿論じゃないもん。以上を読んだ時遠い昔前にとっくに見出したの。 そう言ったかっただけだ。 ね、勝本、こんなに古いポストの新しいコメントさえを見るのか？ 1）昔、好きな友人は私にＸＪＡＰＡＮの　「ＣＩＲＣＬＥ　ＯＦ　ＬＩＦＥ」を聞かせた。　あの歌が３０分間なんだってばよ！それに、ピアノと太鼓を弾く者は piano bangingしなきゃ。この友もピアノを弾けるの。　あの歌にはsheet musicを買って私に見せてあのpiano bangingしなきゃ所に何も書かれなかったのよ。
2）４週間前ＸＪＡＰＡＮはＮＹに来て　新聞にそれについてを読んだんだ。日本語を分からない友に訳詞を送ってあげた。エメールで　”一番じゃなくて編集して方がいいかもしれないのに、どうぞ”って書いた。
３）５年間学校でラテン語の授業に居て、先週、同じ正確な会話したのよ！そして、勝本のような同じ事を言ったわよ！驚くはずかぃ？勿論じゃないもん。以上を読んだ時遠い昔前にとっくに見出したの。

そう言ったかっただけだ。

ね、勝本、こんなに古いポストの新しいコメントさえを見るのか？

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Emp http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-58839 Emp Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:46:56 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-58839 The "Western Way" can be nice and good to deal with unforgiving things like chemicals that might explode in your face, or to prepare you to actually go learn, but I agree with you that many times, you should just go do it instead of fussing so much. One example I can think of is computers/cell phones. My father (who is a reasonably tech-savvy man) reads the manual and still has trouble getting something to work. I (who admittedly have a degree in computer science, but no personal familiarity with the actual issue at hand or anything really close) fiddle with it for a minute, looking through menus and options, trying things out, and maybe looking at the manual once as a reference on a specific nuance. And I figure it out right away. xD Most of this stuff is not as hard as we make ourselves think it is, or if we make small mistakes, it's no big deal. Again, the only time it's really necessary is when a small false step can have catastrophic consequences (like nuclear physics), so we have to be careful and paranoid before we do anything. I still like linguistics and analyzing language stuffs, but that's more for fun and context than for practical use. /geek The “Western Way” can be nice and good to deal with unforgiving things like chemicals that might explode in your face, or to prepare you to actually go learn, but I agree with you that many times, you should just go do it instead of fussing so much.

One example I can think of is computers/cell phones. My father (who is a reasonably tech-savvy man) reads the manual and still has trouble getting something to work. I (who admittedly have a degree in computer science, but no personal familiarity with the actual issue at hand or anything really close) fiddle with it for a minute, looking through menus and options, trying things out, and maybe looking at the manual once as a reference on a specific nuance. And I figure it out right away. xD Most of this stuff is not as hard as we make ourselves think it is, or if we make small mistakes, it’s no big deal. Again, the only time it’s really necessary is when a small false step can have catastrophic consequences (like nuclear physics), so we have to be careful and paranoid before we do anything.

I still like linguistics and analyzing language stuffs, but that’s more for fun and context than for practical use. /geek

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Probability Over Certainty, Or: Everything I Ever Needed To Know About Immersion, I Learned from the Miller-Rabin Primality Test | AJATT | All Japanese All The Time http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-52769 Probability Over Certainty, Or: Everything I Ever Needed To Know About Immersion, I Learned from the Miller-Rabin Primality Test | AJATT | All Japanese All The Time Mon, 16 Aug 2010 01:55:19 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-52769 [...] that you don’t have the time or energy to execute, versus, small, short, simple, easy, lazy, ad hoc (=random) methods – probabilistic algorithms – that, while imperfect, will actually get done, [...] [...] that you don’t have the time or energy to execute, versus, small, short, simple, easy, lazy, ad hoc (=random) methods – probabilistic algorithms – that, while imperfect, will actually get done, [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: AJATT Plus » アフリカ人に倣え http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-47455 AJATT Plus » アフリカ人に倣え Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:06:33 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-47455 [...] ★元ネタ：The African Way of Learning…Just Do It ★LARDに就いて [...] [...] ★元ネタ：The African Way of Learning…Just Do It ★LARDに就いて [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Timeboxing Trilogy, Part 3.5: Timeboxing Turns Work Into Play | All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-47454 Timeboxing Trilogy, Part 3.5: Timeboxing Turns Work Into Play | All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:01:11 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-47454 [...] to be such a great tool. Timeboxing, used skillfully, is all about “shut the truck up and just effing do it” — minus the [...] [...] to be such a great tool. Timeboxing, used skillfully, is all about “shut the truck up and just effing do it” — minus the [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Timeboxing Trilogy, Part 3: Dual Timeboxing | All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-47307 Timeboxing Trilogy, Part 3: Dual Timeboxing | All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:29:21 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-47307 [...] to be such a great tool. Timeboxing, used skillfully, is all about “shut the truck up and just effing do it” — minus the meanness. Dual timeboxing can give work the spontaneity of play. Because, [...] [...] to be such a great tool. Timeboxing, used skillfully, is all about “shut the truck up and just effing do it” — minus the meanness. Dual timeboxing can give work the spontaneity of play. Because, [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Don’t pass the ball around in front of the goal | 88Words http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-46587 Don’t pass the ball around in front of the goal | 88Words Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:32:34 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-46587 [...] think Khatzumoto would call this the African way of learning, and maybe it is — after all, it’s the sort of approach that has Ghana up 1-nil at the [...] [...] think Khatzumoto would call this the African way of learning, and maybe it is — after all, it’s the sort of approach that has Ghana up 1-nil at the [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. » Potheads, Planners and Players http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-30627 All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. » Potheads, Planners and Players Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:19:46 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-30627 [...] impressive plans that are just going to be thrown out anyhow. But we can be nimble. We can be ad hoc. We can be point-by-point. We may appear to have less and be less, but we end up using it far [...] [...] impressive plans that are just going to be thrown out anyhow. But we can be nimble. We can be ad hoc. We can be point-by-point. We may appear to have less and be less, but we end up using it far [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. » Comfort Zone, Growth Zone, Panic Zone http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-26619 All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. » Comfort Zone, Growth Zone, Panic Zone Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:16 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-26619 [...] of behavior that I rather prejudicially like to call ASM: “Anglo-Saxon Masochism” (here we go again) — what many often call the “Protestant work ethic”: no pain, no gain, bee arch; [...] [...] of behavior that I rather prejudicially like to call ASM: “Anglo-Saxon Masochism” (here we go again) — what many often call the “Protestant work ethic”: no pain, no gain, bee arch; [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Dieuwertje http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-26067 Dieuwertje Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:24:06 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-26067 Fantastic post and really the way I felt about the way I got the hang of English. I never studied for it, I just did it ... and I still don't know how I learned it. At this point I'm better in writing the darn language than most native speakers (or so I've been told). Same goes for French and German, I failed the classes but I had a perfect understanding of the languages and my pronounciation was almost flawless just because I read books, watched TV etc. Yet people dared to say it was just because I was Dutch and we have it easier leaning different languages than the English native speakers considering they never come in touch with foreign sounds, what a nonsense. So please do keep teaching people this way so I may never have to face the horrors of textbooks like I did with my Latin and Greek in the past and so we all have fun while learning. Fantastic post and really the way I felt about the way I got the hang of English. I never studied for it, I just did it … and I still don’t know how I learned it. At this point I’m better in writing the darn language than most native speakers (or so I’ve been told). Same goes for French and German, I failed the classes but I had a perfect understanding of the languages and my pronounciation was almost flawless just because I read books, watched TV etc.

Yet people dared to say it was just because I was Dutch and we have it easier leaning different languages than the English native speakers considering they never come in touch with foreign sounds, what a nonsense.

So please do keep teaching people this way so I may never have to face the horrors of textbooks like I did with my Latin and Greek in the past and so we all have fun while learning.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. » When Will I Get Funny? http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-25730 All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. » When Will I Get Funny? Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:51:03 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-25730 [...] when you don’t have an actual pencil to sharpen: you just end up cutting yourself. This is a major problem in the current educational culture of the West [we’re painting with big brushes today. Deal :)] — premature analysis. Always trying to [...] [...] when you don’t have an actual pencil to sharpen: you just end up cutting yourself. This is a major problem in the current educational culture of the West [we’re painting with big brushes today. Deal :) ] — premature analysis. Always trying to [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. » Motivation For Cynical People http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-21360 All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own, having fun and to fluency. » Motivation For Cynical People Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:43:27 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-21360 [...] So…just do it already. But don’t wait and worry and weep and wail and gnash your teeth over results. Don’t act like a desperate stalker, always watching, always trying to get the phone number, always trying to get to second base, always asking Mummy if you’re there yet. Sitting by the door checking the clock every five seconds is not going to make the FedEx lady (yeah, my neighbourhood FedEx guy is a girl) come any quicker. Just be cool. The results will call you when they’re ready. They always call . You need only act; you need only plant; you need only keep walking — sooner or later [later than you would wish, but sooner than you would fear] the destination will practically be forcing itself into your face. [...] [...] So…just do it already. But don’t wait and worry and weep and wail and gnash your teeth over results. Don’t act like a desperate stalker, always watching, always trying to get the phone number, always trying to get to second base, always asking Mummy if you’re there yet. Sitting by the door checking the clock every five seconds is not going to make the FedEx lady (yeah, my neighbourhood FedEx guy is a girl) come any quicker. Just be cool. The results will call you when they’re ready. They always call . You need only act; you need only plant; you need only keep walking — sooner or later [later than you would wish, but sooner than you would fear] the destination will practically be forcing itself into your face. [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Mirmana http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-20632 Mirmana Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:37:58 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-20632 The thing that suprised me most when I went to University was how they could turn the simplest things into mega-complex theories. I don't really come from an upper-class family or anything so my vocabulary is pretty simple. That aside, I did understand most of the theories - I just didn't see the use in saying the same thing over and over again, using all kinds of beautiful-looking sentences. This is why I like the way you "teach" here. It's to-the-point, giving everyday examples. And I think that's also something people forget these days - to be to-the-point. Don't just theorize about wanting to learn how to make movies - make movies. Don't plan on doing 'something' 'someday' - do it now. The thing that suprised me most when I went to University was how they could turn the simplest things into mega-complex theories. I don’t really come from an upper-class family or anything so my vocabulary is pretty simple. That aside, I did understand most of the theories – I just didn’t see the use in saying the same thing over and over again, using all kinds of beautiful-looking sentences.

This is why I like the way you “teach” here. It’s to-the-point, giving everyday examples. And I think that’s also something people forget these days – to be to-the-point. Don’t just theorize about wanting to learn how to make movies – make movies. Don’t plan on doing ‘something’ ‘someday’ – do it now.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Ryu http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-17876 Ryu Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:32:56 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-17876 You're absolutely right with this article. I was born and I grew up in England, but was always fascinated with Japanese Manga (and Japanese obvs ^_^). However, because it was an eastern thing, my schools kind of..well looked down on it, so I had to rely on just copying and practicing over and over. I can't say that I'm amazing, but it's an easier system to get on with it. When I look through some manga books and see stranges lines and boxes on how to do figures, I always think "I don't wanna do that, it looks so dull, is that the only way?". I can't tell you if it is or isn't, but I'm not gonna let it be the only way. Very good blog btw ^_^. Ryu You’re absolutely right with this article. I was born and I grew up in England, but was always fascinated with Japanese Manga (and Japanese obvs ^_^). However, because it was an eastern thing, my schools kind of..well looked down on it, so I had to rely on just copying and practicing over and over. I can’t say that I’m amazing, but it’s an easier system to get on with it. When I look through some manga books and see stranges lines and boxes on how to do figures, I always think “I don’t wanna do that, it looks so dull, is that the only way?”. I can’t tell you if it is or isn’t, but I’m not gonna let it be the only way. Very good blog btw ^_^.

Ryu

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Learning Gospel - All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own « Learning Gospel http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-16299 Learning Gospel - All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own « Learning Gospel Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:27:16 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-16299 [...] All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own l’d like to get serious about learning gospel music/seriously learn gospel music. This person isn’t a bad person or anything. But the sentence just struck me as “off [...] [...] All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: How to learn Japanese. On your own l’d like to get serious about learning gospel music/seriously learn gospel music. This person isn’t a bad person or anything. But the sentence just struck me as “off [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Rowan http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-16145 Rowan Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:45:38 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-16145 I went to Japan after university, with no prior study or experience of the language. By the end of my first year, with no serious study, I was already speaking better than some people who had been there for three years (and who had studied the language, both back home and in Japan). I put that down in large part to the fact that I didn't stress about the language, I just got out there and did it. I went to Japan after university, with no prior study or experience of the language. By the end of my first year, with no serious study, I was already speaking better than some people who had been there for three years (and who had studied the language, both back home and in Japan). I put that down in large part to the fact that I didn’t stress about the language, I just got out there and did it.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: oobey http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-15352 oobey Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:54:41 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-15352 I agree 100%. I have been learning Japanese for a while now and I never thought that I could come to point where I could watch Japanese shows without subtitles(I was so nevervous in the beginning about this). But now, if I am watching something with subtitles, I rtend to find out that those very subtitles are differetn from what the character is saying in Japanese. Also too, I have always loved J-R&B and at first, I was nervous to blast my iPOD on train rides home cuz I thought everyone around me would be like(yo, what the heck is he listening too?) But when I finaly got over the fear, my japanese improved to the point that I have had 2 interviews in straight japanese. If you like it, who cares what everyone else thinks. Just do it, and you will suceed. Thanks Khatzumoto! I agree 100%. I have been learning Japanese for a while now and I never thought that I could come to point where I could watch Japanese shows without subtitles(I was so nevervous in the beginning about this). But now, if I am watching something with subtitles, I rtend to find out that those very subtitles are differetn from what the character is saying in Japanese. Also too, I have always loved J-R&B and at first, I was nervous to blast my iPOD on train rides home cuz I thought everyone around me would be like(yo, what the heck is he listening too?) But when I finaly got over the fear, my japanese improved to the point that I have had 2 interviews in straight japanese. If you like it, who cares what everyone else thinks. Just do it, and you will suceed. Thanks Khatzumoto!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: querido http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-10967 querido Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:53:58 +0000 http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/the-african-way-of-learning-just-do-it#comment-10967 I'd say I'm a member of a classificatory/reductionist subculture, but your post gives me a chance to tell a story. During some of my very early childhood years, I had a nanny. She was probably not too far removed from African roots, given the time and place I'm talking about. Among other things, she sang to me. I know she did, although I can't remember it consciously. I loved her and would pitch an out-of-control fit (my sister says) when my mom would come home and my nanny had to leave. So my mom had to terminate her services. I've always believed that my nanny gave me a gift of understanding a tiny bit of what the gospel/soul/funk music of the sixties was about, and of the meaning in the rhythm and tone in her voice. Much of that world is passing away, I think. But a tiny bit is in my gut, a pearl of great price. My mother gave me a different gift. Her painstaking work over the piano, learning bit-by-bit, beautiful songs such as "Days of Wine and Roses", taught me about music as a puzzle of little bits, which when put together right paint a beautiful, delicate edifice in the air. I would say now that it "spiritualized", in a different way, the human effort, the dedication to truth and beauty that it took to learn it. So, while, as he admits, it is a difficult topic, I endorse sincerely the kernel of wisdom in Khatzumoto's post. Thanks Khatzumoto! I’d say I’m a member of a classificatory/reductionist subculture, but your post gives me a chance to tell a story.
During some of my very early childhood years, I had a nanny. She was probably not too far removed from African roots, given the time and place I’m talking about. Among other things, she sang to me. I know she did, although I can’t remember it consciously. I loved her and would pitch an out-of-control fit (my sister says) when my mom would come home and my nanny had to leave. So my mom had to terminate her services.
I’ve always believed that my nanny gave me a gift of understanding a tiny bit of what the gospel/soul/funk music of the sixties was about, and of the meaning in the rhythm and tone in her voice. Much of that world is passing away, I think. But a tiny bit is in my gut, a pearl of great price.
My mother gave me a different gift. Her painstaking work over the piano, learning bit-by-bit, beautiful songs such as “Days of Wine and Roses”, taught me about music as a puzzle of little bits, which when put together right paint a beautiful, delicate edifice in the air. I would say now that it “spiritualized”, in a different way, the human effort, the dedication to truth and beauty that it took to learn it.
So, while, as he admits, it is a difficult topic, I endorse sincerely the kernel of wisdom in Khatzumoto’s post. Thanks Khatzumoto!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]>