Language Learning and Transcription

For geeks (or nerds?) who like academic explanations. Before encountering Mike's classes I hadn't really considered the concept, but I find the parallels absolutely fascinating. I know, the obvious is "it is a language", but there are an astounding amount of people who don't think so and instead think that plugging away at theory is your best bet when starting out.

It illustrates why one needs to listen, deliberately and intentionally, to music in order to "get it" and appreciate it, but to also transcribe it in order to contextualize it and understand what is being said in a non-abstract manner (hence the usefulness of getting it "under your fingers" on piano and not just following along on an existing score).

 

That's basically what the video gets at -- none of the "traditional" means of language learning actually work, but continually inputting chunks of language with context improves language acquisition. I think the parallel with transcription is pretty fantastic -- you not only listen to what you're trying to imitate, and you don't simply isolate chords and melodic ideas out of context (the way you would if learning pure theory), you figure out the "meaning" of musical passages and patterns in context. He's being sarcastic in the beginning when he talks about grammar and flash cards.

I often think I don't allow my brain to do enough of the legwork automatically. I like to analyze pieces after transcribing, but I often wonder if sheer volume of transcription would achieve more.

 

It's just surprising to me how many music instructors there are that don't emphasize this kind of thing. I mean the brilliant musicians that happen to also have declarative expertise get it, and talk about it (i.e. Guthrie Govan), but a lot of people think "grammar" is the way to go, and even within language learning, unproven (or outright disproven) methods of learning tend to dominate apps and programs.
Certainly immersion is the best way, because you have that instant feedback without needing to reference and second guess -- someone provides context for you, and does so only when you require it. I kind of think this is like transcribing with the actual score on hand, so you can check your work after a few bars and see where you were incorrect. He gives another example about watching TV in another language and having the subtitles on in that language, and how that (according to a study he cites) improved language acquisition significantly more than just watching the show in that language. Interestingly, having subtitles on in your native language means zero acquisition occurs.