Posted by Leland on February 22, 2004 at 01:56:35:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Importance of learning scales posted by Whitney on February 22, 2004 at 01:32:05:
You wrote, in part,
"Should math teachers not go over imaginary numbers because they don't apply to what most of those students will be doing in the future?"
I understand your point, and I agree, but I think it's even worse than that -- he's saying the equivalent of teaching imaginary numbers without teaching addition and subtraction.
I'll extend the "serious hobbyist" concept by hoping for post-education players that can at least play their doggone instruments, which would make community music groups much more enjoyable. Rather than hacking out fingerings, they'd be able to make the dots on the page come to life. Then, maybe more school musicians will keep playing into their adult years.