Problem Solving

Abstract

This chapter examines how to design rehearsal strategies that take advantage of the brain’s natural tendency to learn efficiently through problem solving. After a brief discussion of the science of learning, this chapter offers pragmatic exercises and ideas to increase singer engagement through the embedding of problem solving throughout the rehearsal process. Areas explored include how to begin rehearsal with a problem to solve, encouraging autonomous decision-making from your singers, experimentation with tuning forks, and teaching your students to self-monitor. It also looks at ways to allow for singer analysis and experimentation, create provisions for follow up, incorporate reflective exercises, use the Socratic method, and utilize collaborative problem-solving techniques in rehearsal.