Klarinet Archive - Posting 000099.txt from 2007/01

From: "avi rostov" <avi@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] music students
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 03:53:25 -0500


> 1) They come in unprepared for lessons.
Yes, some don't put in the time or effort to prepare, but others don't know
how to isolate their problems and approach them in a constructive manner.
Do you teach practice skills?
> 2) They look for the quick fix
Haven't we all at some point? Sometimes it helps to explain the difference
between "getting through" a piece developing the skill set it will will take
to learn how to play most anything on their instrument.
> 3) They often ask questions of things they can figure on their own.
It often seems that way, but be glad they are asking. That opens the door
to learning.
I find playing duets very helpful. When possible, I schedule students who
seem compatible so that they can spend the last 5 minutes of one lesson and
the first 5 minutes of the next lesson playing duets together. This adds an
important social aspect that is missing from private lessons and increases
the accuracy in playing that is necessary to make duets work. I also play
duets with students and emphasize in my part the student's problem areas.
They often pick up by example what is hard for them to hear when playing
alone. A great side benefit it that duets are fun and can improve the mood
of a lesson.

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