I enjoy keeping in touch with other teachers, both in my personal relationships and through forums. One topic that often comes up among music
teachers is “the ideal student.” I never contribute to these conversations in any expected way, mostly because I feel that all of my students are ideal students!
teachers is “the ideal student.” I never contribute to these conversations in any expected way, mostly because I feel that all of my students are ideal students!
Of course, I know that the accepted definition of a good
student is one who is punctual, learns quickly, practices diligently, is
enthusiastic and ambitious and who attends lessons regularly and is prompt with
payment. Those are great qualities in a student – they make my job easy and fun
and I definitely appreciate them – but I don’t feel that a student has to
exhibit any specific qualities from the start of the relationship in order for
both of us to enjoy a satisfying experience. I have grown the most as a teacher
and a person by working through situations that are challenging or
uncomfortable. Can you imagine the thrill I feel when a student who has been
through four, five or more teachers is able to break through to a level of
playing they have sought for years? It is exhilarating to be able to facilitate
that leap for someone who has persisted so diligently in their quest and I am deeply
grateful that they didn’t give up on their goals before reaching my studio!
student is one who is punctual, learns quickly, practices diligently, is
enthusiastic and ambitious and who attends lessons regularly and is prompt with
payment. Those are great qualities in a student – they make my job easy and fun
and I definitely appreciate them – but I don’t feel that a student has to
exhibit any specific qualities from the start of the relationship in order for
both of us to enjoy a satisfying experience. I have grown the most as a teacher
and a person by working through situations that are challenging or
uncomfortable. Can you imagine the thrill I feel when a student who has been
through four, five or more teachers is able to break through to a level of
playing they have sought for years? It is exhilarating to be able to facilitate
that leap for someone who has persisted so diligently in their quest and I am deeply
grateful that they didn’t give up on their goals before reaching my studio!
I start with the basic premise that if someone enrolls in
lessons, they want to learn to play guitar and that no one intentionally limits
his or her ability to do so. My job is to assist my students in reaching their
goals and that means helping them to develop effective approaches to learning, successful
practice habits, positive responses to the process, concentration, confidence,
creativity, coordination, manual strength and dexterity, listening skills,
pitch sense, rhythmic sense and more. In other words, I see a teacher as being
far more than someone who organizes and disseminates information – I see her
also as someone who, by listening and attending to the whole student, is able
to assist, support and fully participate in the process of learning.
lessons, they want to learn to play guitar and that no one intentionally limits
his or her ability to do so. My job is to assist my students in reaching their
goals and that means helping them to develop effective approaches to learning, successful
practice habits, positive responses to the process, concentration, confidence,
creativity, coordination, manual strength and dexterity, listening skills,
pitch sense, rhythmic sense and more. In other words, I see a teacher as being
far more than someone who organizes and disseminates information – I see her
also as someone who, by listening and attending to the whole student, is able
to assist, support and fully participate in the process of learning.
As for those “ideal qualities,” I find that by resisting the
temptation to hold them as expectations or requirements, I am able to enjoy
their emergence as a natural part of the process
of learning how to learn. The rewards are rich: I have the opportunity to
practice patience, commitment and creativity and the student learns to make
music! That is a beautiful and gratifying experience that I wouldn’t trade for
all the ready-made “ideal students” in the world.
temptation to hold them as expectations or requirements, I am able to enjoy
their emergence as a natural part of the process
of learning how to learn. The rewards are rich: I have the opportunity to
practice patience, commitment and creativity and the student learns to make
music! That is a beautiful and gratifying experience that I wouldn’t trade for
all the ready-made “ideal students” in the world.
Very enlightening. thank you. looking forward to my weekly email lessons.
Thanks so much for finding me and taking the time to read and respond. I look forward to hearing more from you and am already enjoying your tweets!
You sound like a great teacher. Well done.
Thank you, David. It's always great to hear from other dedicated teachers and I appreciate your taking the time to write!