Finding Experts!

[Paul Theodorescu]

I love the idea of mastering something in record time. I definitely think it's possible to master languages, martial arts, in specialized disciplines in a master of months.

Thing is... how does one go about finding the experts to learn from? Tim mentions a few when it comes to languages, but I'm looking for experts in a whole array of subjects.

Paul

[final_id]

What about musical instruments?

And anyway, should we be finding experts IN THE DISCIPLINE to learn from, or experts AT PEDAGOGY to learn from?

[JSimpson]

Musical instruments can't really be mastered in months. You can master a few songs, even complicated ones... but to be able to read music, have the correct facial muscles/muscle memory takes time. But I think you could get better than most people who say they play an instrument. Most guitar players only know a few songs and can't read anything but tabbs.

Asking the local university would be your best bet I think. Professors are easy to contact and most respond to their email directly. That'd be my first resource I think, and they'd probably know a good tutor/instructor that works hourly.

[MariaG]

I disagree a bit, JSimpson, on the musical instrument learning. Music is basically just patterns of sounds (expressed a written notes). If you are able to grasp the patterns that underlie the music you are interested in, you will be able to understand the whole system relatively quickly. The only limitation to mastery will be getting your fingers, lungs, etc. to do what you want, but that can be overcome in a few months with a couple of hours a day of practice.

[final_id]

I already "understand" a lot about music very well. I read music (though not particularly rapidly, if more than one note at a time is involved) and have performed in choirs for some time. My problem is my fingers. I'm a rapid typist, so you'd think that I could somehow master the instruments, too. But I never had the opportunity to learn the digital manipulation of an instrument when I was a child (and I DID have typing lessons in sixth grade!) so I can't get "up to speed" on anything. It's profoundly frustrating, to see the page, know the music, imagine what it should sound like, and then have to ... plunk plunk ... wait ... for my fingers to make the noise. Piano and guitar are my current attempts. I also whang-whang away at a harmonica. And I have tried clarinet (loved it!) and flute (pansy instrument; hated it!) but had to quit because of sinus problems and bloody noses.

I hear people talk about "mastering" such-and-so in so-and-such time. I wonder what they mean by "mastering"?

[Paul Theodorescu]

We need to start a 4HWW Univerisity - where every skill is mastered in under 6 months. That would kick ass.

[final_id]

Very meta ... a skills training center for ... umm ... skills training. Kind of like getting a Master's in Education. :)

[Bippy]

We need to start a 4HWW Univerisity - where every skill is mastered in under 6 months. That would kick ass.

Hahahahahahaha, did anyone else go DING! Muse idea!

As far as languages, I really like the courses from AudioForum. The Teaching Company has some great classical education stuff.

I'd be shocked if you could master something like dance or martial arts quickly without a) already being in fantastic conditioning and b) being a kinetic learner. Muscle memory is really important and some of that is just practice over time.

[final_id]

Yes: kinetic learner. I'm taking a course in how to beat the LSAT (Kaplan) and I find I am doing very well -- IF AND ONLY IF I can move my hands around and talk to myself. Which they don't let you do when you take a real LSAT. :(

[cynthie]

That's a common thing to do these days. I'm a training manager at a software company and we've added "University" to all of our training center marketing. I don't know if it really adds anything, but a higher expectation of what people are paying for in their training.

It's a good idea though for sharing things we've learned as a knowledge share in this forum.

I'm working through the book now on various items. I'm making my exit plan for firing my job within the next 3 months. Reading the book has been eye-opening for me and left me even more unfulfilled at my job. I've owned 3 businesses before getting back into the work force, and I think I have decided that I'm un-employable. I want to own my own biz again. :p

I want a crash course in historical architecture while traveling through Europe. Time to start looking for the experts!

[neuromancer]

First of all, what do you consider mastery? Being able to play and instrument in a band isn't mastery. Being able to listen to a song and be able to play it isn't mastery either. Mastery is backup pianist for the Rolling Stones, or traveling the world as a concert pianist.

Same thing with martial arts. Black Belt is where the training starts. I don't want to be mastery. I want to be a journeyman. I want to be able to listen to a song and play it on the piano and play in a band. I want to have a black belt and know a few fancy moves. I want to be able to get on a dance floor and do a sexy tango. I want to be able to listen in on the Cantonese or Spanish conversation next to me to see if they are talking about me. I want to be able to Seduce a woman in French or chat in Russian, German and Italian.

None of this stuff is mastery. Any of these things can be learned in a matter of months with a crash course on it. Sit in a room with someone who doesn't speak your language for 2 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 months and one of you is going to learn a new language. Train with a master of Bua Ga the same way and you will become pretty damn good at cracking skulls. Dance with a Tango expert the same amount and you can win competitions (ask Tim Ferriss).

Use the 80/20 rule and the research, study, practice cycle and you can learn as efficiently as it is possible to learn. In a lot of intellectual studies in a small area, you can gain journeyman status by watching a 1 hour documentary on the subject. Small Unit Tactics in the American Revolution is an example.

About that 4HWW University idea

By the way I love the 4HWW University Idea: 3 month courses, private instruction 2 hours a day 5 days a week for 3 months, all in class learning. You could learning anything from guitar to ballroom dancing to French. I am going to start the program here in Dallas and I invite you all to start a program in your city too.

The plan is to find instructors in different fields and discuss the idea with them. We then provide an online presence to funnel students their way for a commission. All training is individualized, 2 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 months. Where competition is appropriate students can sign up for a competition at the end of the training cycle to see how far they've come. We pay the instructors and we get paid up front through credit card on an ecommerce site.

Who's in? Reserve your region now!

[cynthie]

Count me in for Houston! I want something better than the continuing education courses you see out there like "Growing fruit in your Garden" or "How to transfer your 401k".

It needs more meat to the topics and courses. I like when Tim F. mentions on one of his dreamlines- "Become a Best Selling Author".

I've held trainings in many venues, and this could get started in the "free" spots such as churches or libraries. Then move up to the Holiday Inns and Doubletrees.

There is something else, I do many of my training sessions - online through gotomeeting.com or webex.com. There are all kinds of possibilities, and they can be outsourced and automated by recording them.

I'd be interested in working more on this if you, Paul and others are as well. Are you in?

Cynthie