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Music Teachers Chatboard

Difficult private music students

by Ryan F.

Apr 22, 2017

I'm a private instructor who inherited some students from another teacher - a few of them are difficult and I worry they may have preferred their former teacher's style better. These are mainly 8-12 yr. old kids.

I'm well aware that most younger students don't practice as much as they should, and many don't practice at all—perhaps they're not interested, lack work ethic, are tired, overbooked/overscheduled by their parents, are distracted by social media or their online worlds, or some combination of these factors. But as long as they show up, are reasonably pleasant during lessons and make some effort to pay attention, I'm happy to teach them the best I can in the hopes they'll get something out of it - musical or nonmusical - that will one day yield benefits for them, even if we're usually at square one every lesson.

My difficult ones are the ones who seem unhappy. Every indication from their body language tells me they don't want to be there, they're resentful,...See MoreI'm a private instructor who inherited some students from another teacher - a few of them are difficult and I worry they may have preferred their former teacher's style better. These are mainly 8-12 yr. old kids.

I'm well aware that most younger students don't practice as much as they should, and many don't practice at all—perhaps they're not interested, lack work ethic, are tired, overbooked/overscheduled by their parents, are distracted by social media or their online worlds, or some combination of these factors. But as long as they show up, are reasonably pleasant during lessons and make some effort to pay attention, I'm happy to teach them the best I can in the hopes they'll get something out of it - musical or nonmusical - that will one day yield benefits for them, even if we're usually at square one every lesson.

My difficult ones are the ones who seem unhappy. Every indication from their body language tells me they don't want to be there, they're resentful, and they're not interested in improvement or feedback of any kind on their playing. Are there really music teachers who can reach these kids, who have an "it" factor that I lack? I'm 43 and spent a lot of time growing up before the Internet, instant gratification and when all media became free, which I'm grateful for, but is the fact that I'm not a millenial a weakness in this case?

I'm fortunate to have a few students who do practice regularly, want to do well, and/or demonstrate a genuine interest in music. Those are the ones that keep me at it, and because I can make connections with many of them and I've gotten compliments from their parents, it tells me that I do have music teaching in my blood. I crave those "A-ha" moments. At the same time, students like my difficult ones or ones that are transferred to other teachers make me doubt myself. I also know a full teaching roster is important to the bottom line of my employer, and drop-outs equal lost business, so I feel pressure to make the most with the students I have while limiting my complaints about them.

Any advice from fellow private teachers in similar positions?

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A thought I am not a private teacher but have taught in private schools where a full roster is important.

At the end of the lesson, take a few min. to make a connection with each student (those who are interested and those who don't seem to be). For the less interested students I would tell them what you have noticed and ask if there is something t...See MoreI am not a private teacher but have taught in private schools where a full roster is important.

At the end of the lesson, take a few min. to make a connection with each student (those who are interested and those who don't seem to be). For the less interested students I would tell them what you have noticed and ask if there is something that you could do differently to make this more enjoyable/interesting/rewarding to them. Listen to their words but watch their body language as well.

On 4/22/17, Ryan F. wrote: > I'm a private instructor who inherited some students from another teacher - a few of them are difficult and I worry they may have preferred their former teacher's style better. These are mainly 8-12 yr. old kids. > > I'm well aware that most younger students don't practice as much as they should, and many don't practice at allâ€"perhaps they're not interested, lack work ethic, are tired, overbooked/overscheduled by their parents, are distracted by social media or their online worlds, or some combination of these factors. But as long as they show up, are reasonably pleasant during lessons and make some effort to pay attention, I'm happy to teach them the best I can in the hopes they'll get something out of it - musical or nonmusical - that will one day yield benefits for them, even if we're usually at square one every lesson. > > My difficult ones are the ones who seem unhappy. Every indication from their body language tells me they don't want to be there, they're resentful, and they're not interested in improvement or feedback of any kind on their playing. Are there really music teachers who can reach these kids, who have an "it" factor that I lack? I'm 43 and spent a lot of time growing up before the Internet, instant gratification and when all media became free, which I'm grateful for, but is the fact that I'm not a millenial a weakness in this case? > > I'm fortunate to have a few students who do practice regularly, want to do well, and/or demonstrate a genuine interest in music. Those are the ones that keep me at it, and because I can make connections with many of them and I've gotten compliments from their parents, it tells me that I do have music teaching in my blood. I crave those "A-ha" moments. At the same time, students like my difficult ones or ones that are transferred to other teachers make me doubt myself. I also know a full teaching roster is important to the bottom line of my employer, and drop-outs equal lost business, so I feel pressure to make the most with the students I have while limiting my complaints about them. > Any advice from fellow private teachers in similar positions?

Apr 23, 2017

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