Mom wants students changed to guitar

[Exploiter8]

I think Mom has grown weary of the constant slap-cr@p wanking she is constantly subjected to. She needs to hear some accompaniment to songs she might actually be familiar with. Her ears don't recognize the improvement after so many weeks because it probably all sounds the same to her.

X8

 

[fdeck]

Of course everything will hinge on what you learn from the kids.

Meanwhile, I think you can make this easier by not making it about Mom, but about what you expect from your students and what makes teaching worthwhile. Of course everything you say will be more diplomatic than how I say it here. You can start with Mom:

"I'm happy to start them on guitar. It's a wonderful instrument. I'd suggest they should keep their basses, because maintaining their bass skills will help them a lot as guitarists. However, I hope the kids are interested in making the switch. I'll do everything I can to help them develop their enthusiasm. But I expect my students to develop a level of interest that results in a reasonable amount of progress from one lesson to the next."

Whether or not the kids are interested in guitar will show in their work, perhaps not right way, but certainly after a few months. If they make progress, great. If not, then it's time to apply some "progressive discipline." Remind the kids that you expect progress. It's your studio, your rules. If it's not happening after you've given it your best shot, then talk to Mom and suggest that the kids might fare better under a different teacher.

All of the teachers I know give out a sheet of information explaining how their studios work, and so the expectation of the kids showing an interest and making progress would be something that the parents are aware of from the beginning.

 

[oniman7]

Met the kids and mom today. Great kids. The past teacher at the studio had started them on guitar and they were already reading for all strings except low e. Got them working on finger style today after testing their knowledge. They knew reading, notes on the fretboard, and knew scale shapes but not how to apply them.

Mom said she thought the kids had played enough bass and should focus on guitar. Several times though she said things like "they keep asking if they can keep bringing the bass". She suggested switching off every month and since the students (early teens) seemed receptive to the guitar and mom is the one with the kids and the money that's what we'll do. I would've only said something if the kids made it clear they wanted to do bass

 

[fdeck]

All's well that ends well. It's true that a good bassist can play lots of gigs, but guitarists who can read are worth their weight in gold.

 

[testing1two]

It's really not that big of a deal once you change your mindset to teach music by any means (or instrument) necessary.

 

[Roy Vogt]

Have them start on Mel Bay's J. S. Bach for Electric Bass (Josquin des Pres). That may be enough Classical Music to satisfy Mom and interesting enough for the kids.

 

[oniman7]

It's really not that big of a deal once you change your mindset to teach music by any means (or instrument) necessary.

You are correct and I teach both. I have students decide to switch back and forth as they (and I) feel they're ready to move to one or the other.

Looks like all's good for now. Thanks everybody for their opinions on both sides.

 

[FunkySpoo]

They ARE paying.


They DO call the shots.


What are you even talking about?

Um, as a parent who has been there I'm saying that I paid for the lessons my kids wanted. I didn't cram my wants down their throat. Did you even read what I wrote?

 

[oniman7]

Um, as a parent who has been there I'm saying that I paid for the lessons my kids wanted. I didn't cram my wants down their throat. Did you even read what I wrote?

However, as the mom paying, it is her prerogative to have them taught whatever they want if she decides it's important. Although many appreciate that someone like you wouldn't. And I don't even think that's necessarily what's going on here.