Most common lesson opener: “I didn’t get as much time to practice as I’d like.” [Who does?]
Less common: “I didn’t get to practice too much. Very little, really. Just ran through it a bit today, actually.”
Most unexpected response, after a student played all the quarter notes and eighth notes exactly the same length: “I didn’t want to waste time.”
Question requiring calm response and no chuckling–asked by a beginning student after teacher demonstrates a bit of music: “How come I can’t play like that?”
Most ambitious question after a student finds out she’ll have to pay for a lesson cancelled at the last minute: “Can I have a lesson over the phone?”
Most devastating compliment: “I loved your tape so much I made copies for my friends.”
Most confusing comment after a performance: “That was so you.”
Best answered with a smile? “I want to get as good as you are so I don’t have to practice.”
