157. The “Forbidden” Skill of String Playing: Tuning Pegs, Agency & Innovation with Wesley Hamilton

Episode 157 – The “Forbidden” Skill of String Playing: Tuning Pegs, Agency & Innovation with Wesley HamiltonWhat if we've been teaching string players to fear one of the most important parts of their instruments?In Episode 157, Dr. Charles Laux talks with Wesley Catherine Hamilton, a violist, violinist, educator, researcher, and entrepreneur, about her groundbreaking work investigating the history and pedagogy of tuning pegs.Wesley is pursuing her DMA at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University and has conducted extensive research into how tuning pegs have been treated throughout the history of string education. Her research includes historical treatises, patents, and interviews with teachers, luthiers, peg makers, museum curators, and string players.She also created The Practice Peg, a risk-free device that allows violin, viola, and cello players to develop the physical skills necessary to use traditional tuning pegs without risking damage to their instruments.But this conversation is about much more than tuning.Wesley argues that teaching students to use their tuning pegs can help develop agency, confidence, and independence. If students are constantly told never to touch their pegs, they may never learn how to solve one of the most basic problems they will encounter as string players.Charles and Wesley discuss the physical mechanics of tuning, fine-motor coordination, traditional friction pegs, geared pegs, student independence, entrepreneurship, and what it means to give students greater ownership of their instruments.It's a fascinating conversation that may have you asking yourself:Are we teaching students to tune—or teaching them to be afraid of tuning?Topics discussed include:The “forbidden” nature of tuning pegs in string educationWesley's doctoral research on tuning-peg history and pedagogyHistorical violin treatises and tuning-peg technologyWhat string teachers actually teach students about tuningFine-motor skills and the physical mechanics of tuningDeveloping student independence and agencyWhy fear of damaging instruments can prevent meaningful learningGeared pegs vs. traditional friction pegsThe development of The Practice PegEntrepreneurship and innovation in music educationWesley's path from the University of Georgia to Peabody ConservatoryTeaching string methods to future music educatorsMaking string education more accessibleContact Wesley Hamilton at [email protected]🎧 Listen to Episode 157 now!#OrchestraTeacherPodcast #OrchestraTeachers #StringTeachers #MusicEducation #StringEducation #Violin #Viola #Cello— SPONSORS AND REFERRAL LINKS —Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.comWant to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new?  Check out Keiser Productions!https://www.keiserproductions.comLooking for things on Amazon?  Use my referral link:⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠Do you keep a monthly budget?  If not, try You Need a Budget!  It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track.⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠Do you have cable?  Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV!  It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more!⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠