Josephine G. wrote:
> Dr. Clark, > Please read my statement carefully. > +++I did read your statement very carefully, as I always try to do before framing a response.
> I am in no way speaking here for the experiences of other people. > +++Any time one does not preface a statement with "In my experience" (or some similar qualification), the reader is likely to infer that the speaker considers this an opinion that applies in all cases. As an academic, I am trained to qualify any statement that I can cannot prove beyond the shadow of a doubt -- and there are very few of those! Your statement offered no such guidelines for the reader.
> Rather, I am merely presenting herein an opinion JUST LIKE YOU ARE > +++But I generally state my opinions by saying, "In my experience, thus and so."
> I am surprised that in a forum of supposedly FREE expression you should appear irked by an opinion that opposes yours. > +++I am sorry you inferred from my remarks that I was irked. Rather, I was simply pointing out that your statement, as you expressed it, was not true. I interpret "free" expression to mean that we have the right to express our opinions, but not to force them on others by stating things in such a way that it appears we allow no room for other opinions.
> NOW...... you are FEELING first before thinking ...of what artistic techniques to utilize in your expression. > +++I would not call those "artistic techniques." Those are simply the academic techniques of good writing. I regret that you interpreted my response to mean that I was not open to a wide variety of ideas and opinions. I think that my posts during my 8 years on this list generally indicate otherwise.
> I believe this question of whether one should depend MORE on "external techniques to generate internal feelings" later OR to sing from the heart is a matter of CULTURAL DIFFERENCES. > +++This is a subject for another thread, and I agree that cultural differences can often play a part in artistic expression, based on my teaching experience with students from outside the USA. However, I do not have time to get into that today.
--- Dr. Diane M. Clark, Assoc. Prof. of Music Dept. of Music, Rhodes College 2000 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112 http://www.rhodes.edu
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