This blog was inspired by an article with the same title that I read in the Autumn 2001 Keyboard Companion magazine as part of my studies. As I was reading through the article, I noticed that my list of things I wish I’d know was quite different. I thought I’d share the 10 things that I wish I had known before I started teaching:
1. That my studio would grow so quickly – I could have been more selective about the type of students I decided to take on.
2. That teaching is my livelihood and that it is vital to have a steadfast policy from the start – this would have saved so much hassle with lack of payment and ridiculous catch-up schedules and missed lessons.
3. If you lower your expectations, so will your students – if you keep saying it is okay when no practice has been done, students will not start to practice efficiently.
4. Importance of educating parents as much as the child students – parental involvement is critical for a young child’s success.
5. Play up to natural motivations rather than trying to bribe students to do just what you think is important.
6. It’s not all about the written music – from the start it is about exploratory games and the essence of music, not just learning the notes on the pages.
7. You can say ‘no’ to students – whether it is taking them on as a student, requests outside of your studio policy, or requests for pieces of music that are obviously outside of their current playing standard – and your reputation will not be brought into question, as long as you are reasonable in your response.
8. A student’s goals do not have to match yours. If you understand their motivations for wanting to learn, your relationship will be a lot more successful.
9. You can’t practice for the student. This is one that I still have trouble with – even though it is such an obvious statement. I guess that only those who have been there know how much you can actually achieve when you put in the effort. All we can do is help to motivate and cultivate the desire to want to play.
10. Have designated ‘work’ hours, or it can totally consume you.
If I had known all these things from the start, I don’t think I would have been as good a teacher as I am now through learning these things along the way, as it is experience that shapes you more than knowledge.
Now it’s your turn – are there any things that you wished you had known before you started teaching that aren’t listed here? Do you agree with the above list?
About the Author
Leah Coutts is a private piano teacher in Brisbane, Australia. She completed her Bachelor of Music Studies in November of 2004, with Awards in Academic Excellence in each year, and is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. Having completed all grades in Electric Organ and moving onto pipe organ at university, under the internationally acclaimed Christopher Wrench’s direction, Leah is now completing the Associate Performance Diploma (AMusA) on piano. As well as private music tuition, her musical experience includes mentoring Music Theory at the Griffith Conservatorium of Music, as well as work for the Music Council of Australia, Fine-Print Music Printing and Typesetting, and the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre. In 2009 Leah will be returning to the Conservatorium of Music to pursue further study, majoring in Pedagogy so that she may pursue her interest in teaching piano. Her main focus will be research on teaching adults, as this is her area of interest, and an area that needs further study here in Australia.
Set your own ours and stick with it. Your studio WILL consume you otherwise.
Great tips!
by Amy McGlothlin — Fri Jun 26, 2009 @ 7:08 am
11. Don't think you have to know everything. I've taught some of my most inspired lessons when I've given myself permission to explore along with the students, and to ask myself questions I don't know the answers to.
by Valerie — Mon Jun 29, 2009 @ 2:32 pm