Teaching 101: How To Maximize Every Students Potential

Teachers. Every single one of us, musician or not, has had them. Some of inspired us, some have bored us, some have twisted us but all of them have one thing in common: they have all changed us in some way, for better or for worse. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, we need to seek out instruction. There is no way to get to the next level without it. As a teacher, we have an immense responsibility to the students growth as a player and as a person. It is one I take very seriously and I hope you do also. We are entrusted with the authority to shape a students musical future. This is not to be taken lightly. The rewards are incredible. To watch a student walk into a first lesson not having any clue about how to even hold a guitar and to watch them progress into fine players and fine young men and women is a joy to behold. I have seen firsthand how learning an instrument can change a students life by helping their self esteem, overcome shyness and using the discipline it takes to get better at an instrument to take other areas of their academic life to the next level. But just how to we as educators maximize every students potential? Here are some steps on how to do it.

Accept Uniqueness: Not very student is the same. Each lesson and approach has to be tailored to meet the students individual needs and personality. There are some of my students that are far more sensitive than others so corrections and criticism have to handled with kid gloves. Other students aren’t so sensitive. I used to find this out the hard way. Now I try and gauge them through conversation aside from the lesson. I follow my instinct and I am usually correct. Encourage the student have their own unique personality and let it shine through in whatever they are playing and learning.

Be Educated: Know as much as you possibly can about music and your instrument or instruments. I cannot stress this enough. The more knowledge you have the better teacher you will be. Thats the bottom line. Get degrees from universities. They are credibility and proof that you put the time in to be better at your craft; the same thing you are asking your students to do. Learn how to read music. Again, this is a no-brainer for me. It amazes me how many guitar teachers I have met who teach students without having the basic reading skills necessary for a musician. Are they effective teachers? More than likely they are. Are they limiting the students potential? Yes, they are because they themselves are limited. Show me a brilliant guitar player who cannot read music and I will show you 20 that can.

Be Flexible: If a student has the necessary skills to deviate from your lesson plan and try to play something they really want to play by all means do so. On more than one occasion, some of my piano students wanted to play something other than the Bach minuets or The John Schaum lessons I was showing them. They wanted to give something more contemporary such as The Beatles or a movie theme a shot. I always negotiate a compromise: learn this and we can learn whatever you want, given the appropriate ability level of course. This approach always works. It gives the students that extra incentive to get through the important lesson I have for them to move on to that Adele song they have been dying to play. Always honor your promise. You never want to say to a student, ” thats not on page 35 of the red book so we can’t do it”. One of my guitar students wanted to learn Holy Wars (The Punishment Due) from Megadeth about 4 lessons into our time together! It was way beyond what I thought he was capable of so I threw a challenge and compromise out to him: memorize what I have taught you over the past 4 weeks and play it perfectly and we will go for it. He did it and we attempted the song. It was a struggle for him but he pretty much worked his behind off and for the most part got it. I then used that experience as a springboard of sorts to do other challenging songs. Flexibility will keep you and your students more interested  in the lessons.

Be  Authentic: If my students know one thing about me it is this: there is nothing I wouldn’t ask them to do that I haven’t done already. If I ask them to memorize the changes to Stairway To Heaven, I have done it until I was blue in the face. If I ask a student to play three octave scales in all keys, I have done it a million times. Students can see right through you. If you haven’t done your homework, they will know. If a student asks you a question in which you are not sure of the answer, be honest, look it up and have it ready for the next lesson.

Lastly, teaching will definitely help your own playing. Teaching a student a lead part or a chord progression will invariably help your ear. Breaking a guitar lead down to its basic phrases will definitely help you see how to construct an effective lead break and that can only further your own playing.  When a student asks me how to play a certain phrase, it forces me to think about the notes I played and why I played them. Deconstructing your own playing will reinforce what you already know. As Joseph Joubert said, “to teach is to learn twice.” Remember, you are here to give your students a more effective and beautiful musical experience. The more tools you have at your disposal, the more likely you will do so. Now get out there are teach your children well!

Thanks for reading and any feedback, questions or comments are certainly welcomed.

RR