RJA#9b: Argument

Research Question:
Should music students in America be taught with a combination of oral and notated methods?

Thesis/claim:
Music students in America should be taught with a combination of oral and notated methods because it will give them a wider knowledge of music and allow them to play in a greater variety of ensembles.

Reasons:
- Having a wider knowledge of music will allow students to adapt quicker to new situations. Knowing two distinctly different methods that music is played will allow a musicain to join a group, even when they have not been in a group like it, and qickly learn their methods because they have already been taught two very different a widely used methods

- Having a wider knowledge in music increases the ability of a musician to work with other musicians. The more ways that they can describe what they want and or how to play somthing, the easier it will be to make, join and collaborate with musical ensembles.

- Being able to play for a greater variety of ensembles will yeld more income. The more gigs and positions a musician can gain, the better chance they will have for making a greater income. Having the ability to play in a variety of methods will open more doors for those positions and gigs.

- Playing with a variety of ensembels builds better connections in the music world. The more people you can play with and perform for, the more people are going to notice you and want you to play. Getting more opportunity to 'show your stuff' will progress your career further.

Objections/counterarguments:
- Learning music through both methods can take more time than just learning one and will hold a student back.
Refute~ Although the oral and notated methods are different in many ways, they are similar in just about the same. Both methods expand on one another and actually help to justify one another.

- The students wont be able to go into as much detail with one method if they are learning both at the same time.
Refute~ The combined method will still cover way past just the basics in both methods. The minute deatils are not as important as the basics because minute details are mostly learned from playing in specific situations and ensembles.

- Having more detailed knowledge of a specific type of music is better for musicians because then they can specialize and be the best at that particular style.
Refute~ Music changes rapidly and if that style of music is not longer in demand then what will that musician do. There is a greater need for diversity than specialization.