Lessons in lessons

[kayre]

So, I teach piano. Eight students currently, and they run a HUGE range of personalities and skills. I pride myself in carefully custom teaching to every student; I am always happy to take on students who have tried with another teacher and ended up frustrated. In Vermont, there were only 3 of us teaching piano in my small town; I was the newbie, but there was no sense of competition once they realized they could send me their nonconformists, and I'd send them the dream students who thrived with structure. I do have favorite curricula, but of my 8 students, 3 are using new-to-me curricula that I sought to suit particular needs, and one student is no longer using a 'method' at all.

I think I posted about my new lesson format some time ago. Instead of doing all the playing first, and then final minutes on theory and flashcards, I now divide lessons in thirds-- play for a few minutes, stop before they're worn out and do mental work, and then back to playing for the final few minutes. Every single student made a leap forward when I switched to that.

My challenging student lately has been Josie. She started very young, and struggled with shyness; and after discussions with her father, he asked me to continue as much to help her with the shyness as for the music. That was two years ago, and she's made slow but steady progress with both music and social skills with me, but she was still clearly my least happy, least comfortable student. Then a month ago we had two simply awful lessons in a row; she was miserable and defiant from beginning to end. She missed two lessons because of schedule conflicts, and I've been trying to figure out how to make sure this lesson was a fresh start.

Just before I left for her lesson today, I began picturing her typical lessons-- and realized that I put her on the spot instantly, by asking her to play right away. What would happen if we played a musical game first? The answer is apparently 'really good things'! She brought along a friend, which did change the dynamic some-- but might have made that first "put on the spot" feeling worse. Instead she got to choose from two games, and the friend joined in, and she had fun AND felt smart before she got to the keyboard. After that, she played with confidence, and did TWO FULL PAGES of theory work, by choice, and then played some more, and it was her best lesson EVER.

Comments

[gingicat]

Yay!

[amaebi]

I love hearing about your students and how you work with them. As you know, I think you're a brilliant teacher, and I love how you adjust to your students to help them grow the best way they can.

[asakiyume]

That was really good thinking--you must feel so relieved and proud, and she must too.

[ranunculus]

It is So satisfying to have a pupil do well. Good for you for being willing to change what you do instead of doubling down on something that doesn't work.

[sine_nomine]

Hooray!!

[siercia]

That's so wonderful. I love it when I find the thing that clicks with a struggling student and helps them move forward.

[cellio]

Nice! You made a breakthrough!