----- Original Message ----- From: "Phil Bondi" <tito@philbondi.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: July 23, 2002 3:26 AM Subject: Re: no comp. .. Del's thoughts. > 1. I've only been to a handful of conventions, but in my short tenure, it > appears that the 'most popular'(conrad, 42 regular) classes are the ones > that require a registration fee in addition to the regular registration > fee( the all-day affairs and the hands-on stuff). The all-day affairs that I > have attended, on a whole, have been more rewarding than the individual > classes(conrad, extra FR please). It's possible that my newness to the biz > has something to do with my viewpoint, but, Del, anyone, do you feel that > more of these types of classes might be an avenue for us to explore? I > realize timing and space are critical, but I would like to hear what others > have to say about this. Personally, I don't like the idea. But it may come to that. I would prefer that all classes be open. I do realize that some have additional expenses involved, so additional charges may be the best way to deal with them. I'm willing to be convinced. > > 2. Do you think that it's possible that there is a "fear factor" lurking in > the background that is preventing talanted people from getting up in front > of 20-100 peers and delivering a class? Speaking for myself, I find that a > pretty daunting proposition. "Fear" meaning that talanted people are just > that...talanted..but when it comes to instructing a group of peers, the > instructor becomes the questioned, because the talented individual is > unfamiliar with being an instructor, and teaching/instructing is something > that you either have or are willing to work very hard at to be better at. My > thoughts are that there's alot of talent in the PTG, but instructing people, > especially at Del's level, becomes intimidating because of his experience > level. Of course there is. It hits about the time you stand up there and look out of a bunch of faces and think, "Oh, God, these people are all here to listen to me! What am I going to do now?" You cope with it by preparing. You write up your class and present it to your chapter. Then you evaluate yourself and get a couple of friends to help you critique it. Make notes for next time. Re-write your outline. Then ask to give it to a neighboring chapter and go through the same evaluation process. Then your local regional conference, etc. You may or may not ever get used to standing up there, but you will learn to deal with, and control, the fear. > > I design a class for aural tuners, aimed at the beginners, to help them > become more confident in what they're doing...sitting in the back of the > class, simply out of respect or curiosity, is Jim Coleman Sr. and Al > Sanderson. I don't know about anyone else, but my legs would turn to jello. > These are 2 people that I have learned an AWFUL lot from over the years, and > I would be petrified to say the wrong thing at the wrong time instructing > these people in my class willing to learn something. No one with the experience and knowledge of Jim Coleman or Al Sanderson is going to be in your class to criticize. They are going to be there to learn something. They are going to be more interested in helping you than in causing you any difficulty. They also realize that you may find their presance intimidating and are going to go out of their way to make life easier for you. They also were once in your shoes and probably still remember being there quite well. No, it's the person who is a wannabe that you will have to watch out for. He is the one who will try to prove how much he knows at your expense. Hopefully, you will get a mild version of this person in your chapter meeting and will be able to work out your response at that level. In any case, keep in mind that the class is there to here you and to learn from you--not the wannabe. It might help to playact and ask someone to be deliberatly obnoxious early on to gain practice. You might also consider joining Toastmasters for a while. Great experience, I'm told. > > We all know Jim and Al are 2 of the kindest people you'll ever meet, but > speaking for myself, that's pretty intimidating, and you had better know > your stuff if you want to be in that situation so your legs don't turn to > jello. It always helps to know your stuff. And the more you practice the more you will know your stuff. Use your chapter members as guinea pigs. They love you and won't let you fail. Take their critism to heart--not as a put down, but to help you grow and get better at your presentation. Besides, stumbling through your first presentation will ensure that you will do your homework so much better that the next time will be a breeze. Good luck. Let us know how that first time goes (privately, if you wish). Del
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