I have always discussed practicing habits and perseverance. However, one aspect is vital in learning how to play an instrument—the teacher.
The job of a music teacher is no doubt challenging.
What does the work of a music teacher entail?
To impart knowledge, a music teacher must have had the experience of performing successfully on an instrument. Teaching so that the student assimilates that knowledge must come afterward.
A lesson does not begin and end at a particular hour. There is much more to a lesson than just spending that weekly time with a student. A teacher's responsibilities are multifold and require commitment.
Therefore, the student's success is not solely ensured by practicing but also, in part, by the dedication of their teacher.
A student becomes more successful when the teacher plans and devises a program for the student based on their needs. Not all students have the same goals. Nor does every student wish to have a music career. Some may want to play a musical instrument just as a hobby. Yet others might wish to make music as their occupation. Based on that, teachers need to develop a plan for their students. Even then, consideration should be given to the direction students wish to take.
After finding out this information, a teacher should work towards realizing these goals every week. Through weekly lessons and by following up on student progress, a teacher can make appropriate adjustments to the student's program.
Planning and being present for the student will not be sufficient to secure student success. Any plan assigned to a particular student should be accompanied by detailed instructions on how to go about accomplishing it.
The plan designed for each student should incorporate a healthy balance of etudes and pieces from that instrument's repertoire.
In the case of repertoire, the teacher must tell the student every step of the way how to achieve and how to improve. For instance, during each lesson, the student and the teacher should collaboratively go through the student's program and address all the technical and musical issues.
The students should be able to participate in different auditions and competitions with the guidance of their teacher. And the weekly lessons will be aimed at realizing and preparing for these performances. The level of the student should not determine the teacher's engagement as long as the student puts forth hard work and practice.
The success of a music student does not solely depend on the student, as a teacher who is engaged in the art of teaching plays a significant role. If the teacher lacks commitment to a particular student, the student who wants to learn must consider changing to a different situation. That will be the better solution for both parties.
What do we mean by lack of commitment on the teacher's part? By that, I mean that the teacher does not provide the necessary feedback to the students and allows them to find solutions to their problems. More often than not, a lack of encouragement also plays out in these cases. The students will learn about this in due time.
I have had the pleasure of having dedicated teachers whose teaching was outstanding. And one way they were encouraging was when they were present at my auditions or recitals. And that immensely helped me in time to make progress and improve my skills. Therefore, being present for the students is also crucial.
Being hardworking when learning to play an instrument is not sufficient. It is equally vital to find the teacher that works best for you. In the long run, it will be a better experience for both parties involved in learning and teaching. It will be more satisfying for the student and will ensure their progress.
It is noteworthy to remember that teachers and students are not always a perfect match. And that is okay if that is the case. In that case, the student must make some choices.
Learning music involves, to some degree, a successful teacher-student partnership. And that is crucial as the teacher may also become an important, trustworthy figure in a student's life.
How can you determine if a teacher is the right fit for you? Please share with us in the comments below.
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