Share your teaching methodology

mdiddium · #1 12-10-2008, 07:27 AM

Hi TB,

I have an interview today for a teaching gig (non-university, mostly teenage and pre-teen) and would like to get in the right frame of mind, so to speak. It always helps me to have an open conversation about ideas so that I can, in turn, learn from others and develop my own methods.

So, I'd like to hear from any teachers on the forum as to their philosophy on teaching. We don't need to go into specific exercises or anything like that, but just general ideas on teaching.

To start things off, I feel like teaching can be very rewarding, especially when the student brings out something in yourself. I think that every student deserves a personal curriculum that balances what they want to learn and what they need to learn. Technique is always important (especially to the young player as to not harm them down the road) but introducing the concept of musicality is just as important.

Anyone else?

SmittyG · #2 12-10-2008, 11:08 AM

This biggest thing I have to focus on is breaking the information down into bite sized chunks. I get excited when a student starts "getting it" and then start going, "OK, now that leads to this and then to this other thing and that all opens up the possibility of . . ." We have to remember that we have many, many years of pulling in this information and making all the connections. It isn't fair to the student to shotgun it all to them in 30 minutes.

mdiddium · #3 12-10-2008, 01:07 PM

Great point, SmittyG. Knowing what information to convey at what time is truly key. I think that overwhelming a student can often lead to frustration, which could lead to them leaving the instrument.

Timing is crucial.

Anyone else?

quale213 · #4 12-10-2008, 01:17 PM

As you have already mentioned, exhibiting musicality in everything is essential. I remember that after my first lesson, I completely blew off theory, technique, and in general, becoming a better musician. If my teacher would have broken down a piece, as in bite sized pieces, and demonstrated the fundamentals and implicatures that the student needs to know, I would have asked for an extra hour. The fact that you seem to care is a good sign, we all know the "teacher" who does not care about their craft. Have fun!!

dulouz · #5 12-12-2008, 11:57 AM

I like to give the student a balance between the "book" learning and "street" learning. Of course the fundamentals such as reading, technique, etc come first; but it is also important to get them playing in a more practical setting. I use my iPod for this. I put on a song with a simple, but grooving, bass line and we both play along.

The techniques they learn in the book make it easier to play the fun stuff, and the fun stuff gives them reason to improve their technique.

On a more personal note, get to know your students. What kind of music they like, what else are they into besides music? In turn, let them know about yourself. It is important to build a good relationship with your students, and equally important: their parents. If you do this you will find your students will study with you for a longer period of time.

Also, be flexable and accomadating when you can; but don't let yourself be taken advantage of. You need to have your policies regarding payment, attendence, and cancellation in writing; give them to your students at their first lesson and have them sign if they agree to them.

Good luck.

Jake of Bass · #6 12-12-2008, 12:21 PM

What these guys are saying is absolutely brilliant. Adhere to it all because it really works for both student and you.

Be challenging yet achievable. A lot of learning couples stretching yourself yet being within the realm of knowing you can get there. Which is why your assessment of a new student's abilities and knowledge is so important.

Fergie Fulton · #7 12-16-2008, 04:03 AM

Great posts and points, i hope you get from teaching the satifaction of seeing that moment of "AAhhhhaa i see" in there eyes.

All the information you possess is nothing if you cannot pass it on in a creative and constructive way. The great thing about teaching is it lets you see to a certain extent how good you are at understanding what you know. By that i mean, "can you teach it in an easy, clear and enjoyable manner"?
Sometimes if a student could not grasp an idea or had a problem, i would ask them not to explain the problem to me but teach me what it is they know about the idea or problem. This makes them come at the problem from a different angle, makes them think positive, gives them a sense of responsibility if you will, and will help their mind to understand the idea or problem from another approach.
Teaching to me is about finding a way to explain and help the student learn and understand the concepts i put forward. After all i am only passing on what was taught to me, its just my interpretation of the information.
If i give a hundred musicians a piece of sheet music and they all play it one after another, are they not all playing with the same information? Yet some of them and their playing touch your soul, and that is a bit like teaching.
It is my duty as a teacher to help them understand, enjoy and apply it, its not their duty to learn it. If they do not understand what i am teaching, i am not teaching, i am talking...and anyone can talk.