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Re: Who would you rather teach?

Author: allencole
Date: 2004-06-03 16:20

I have to agree with John each group has its own rewards.

I especially enjoy beginners because they haven't yet learned to be lazy. You can set things up from the git-go so that the scales are their friends and move them towards being able to play the horn for their own amusement as well as for band.

Adults are pretty slow-moving as a whole (most have real lives) but I find that they really dig into the theory and have more musical interests of their own. They deal well with being drilled on skills, although they usually find it difficult to do at home. But I can give them theory-related things to do on the computer, and they'll dig in. One just bought a curved soprano sax so that he could practice in his car between sales calls.

High schoolers can be difficult if they haven't been acclimated to practice, but if they ARE...what a ride!

It's also important to understand that the differences between these groups compliment each other. One aspect of a certain group might really drain you, while some facet of another group will recharge you. I don't know how it would be to have all the same type of student.

And the more different types you teach, the more you learn yourself. I cannot believe what an education it's been for me over the last 12 years.

Allen Cole

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