 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: olewannabe88
Date: 2006-01-14 22:44
I'm a senior in high school who has started teaching lessons this year. Unfortunately, two of my three students are obviously not interested. They do it because the parents make them, never come prepared, and frankly are just not very good. When the mom called me to set things up she said they probably will not continue into high school.
Is it stupid to say that I'm continuing with these two mainly for the money I'm recieving? I really do try, but with their attitude sometimes I think "what's the point?" For those two, the cash is the main motivator, because my regular job doesn't pay well.
HOWEVER, I do have another student who is interested in the lessons and comes prepared, who I really do enjoy teaching. I can see progress being made there. I've been fortunate myself to have studied with a professional since sixth grade, and though I don't expect to have the same results with this student it's fun to see her enjoying what she's doing-which was her mom's main goal for her when she contacted me.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-01-14 22:57
1 out of 3 of your students really care?
You're above the going average ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ...GBK (a 30+ year veteran teacher)
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Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2006-01-14 23:22
Consider having a truly candid discussion with the parent -- tell her you're concerns about their child's lack of seriousness, progress, etc. toward his studies. If the parent doesn't seem to care and still wants the studies to continue, then you have behaved in an ethical and professional manner and should not feel it's stupid to take the money.
Early in my professional career I worked for a "big 5" consulting firm. I can't even begin to count how many times we advised various clients against doing something stupid because of poor return-on-investment, high risk, etc...and even after their projects failed, they still kept us aroud and continued to "throw good money after bad." The truth didn't really seem to matter. Yes, it was frustrating at times that our efforts were falling on deaf ears...but as long as they didn't mind paying, we didn't mind taking their money.
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2006-01-15 03:14
Maybe you should find a way to make the lessons fun!!! Help them transcribe their favorite song (Sponge Bob seems to be a favorite for several), provide rewards/incentives, play duets, experiment with jazz, have them purchase a book with cd accompaniment (perphaps it isn't fun because there isn't anyone/thing to practice with!!!). Talk to your band director or private instructor to get more options or info on the matter. There are many options, analyze your students and decide which is best.
Clayton
*Oops, Edited for Clarity*
Post Edited (2006-01-15 03:17)
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2006-01-15 03:32
I agree with Clay. Just find what the 2 like to play. My student is pretty motivated, but I also try to find things she likes to do. We're going to start a Harry Potter music book this week. She also loves scales, although she didn't know that what she was playing was scales and arpeggios. I also do have to do some of the "un fun" basics, like the chromatic scale that she will have to audition with in a couple of months. She's only in the beginning stages. I also have to adapt reminders for her into something creative and funny that she can remember. She has a really messed right hand position and so I tell her that there should be space for a small fish in between the body of the clarinet and her hand. (She wants to touch the palm of her hand unto the side of the clarinet body. Sort of like a claw!) Just get into the mind of a younger kid and they'll understand and have more fun! Good luck!
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Author: olewannabe88
Date: 2006-01-15 04:19
Thank you all, I will try the suggestions. I think I need to focus a lot on just the basics, despite how long they've been playing (around 3-4 years). I've had them try to play a chromatic scale and they don't even know all the notes in the low register.
The biggest problem is just that they are 8th graders, at the age where they think they are "too cool" for band. And they will register for high school courses within the next month, but I highly doubt that they will be continuing with band.
Right now I mainly have to spend our lessons working on their band music because they don't know it and don't practice. It's also hard because I only teach them every other week. Also, these two are best friends, and when the mom of one called me to schedule lessons, she was under the impression that I would teach them both at the same time. Still getting paid for two half hour lessons, but just together. We compromised and do fifteen minutes all together and then fifteen each apart, which obviously isn't enough time to get much accomplished. But I do try and will continue to try.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-01-15 14:24
When I was teaching, I had a dozen students, and two were really interested and worked hard.
The others made all their progress during that half hour/week that they were in the studio with me.
I hated that, but the turkey's parents kept paying the bills, and I was able to keep paying for my lessons, reeds and the monthly payements on my horn.
Its ok to work for the money.
Its much better to have good students and the positive interactions. You're doing twice as good, statistically, as I was.
In my case, I got the good students as a "gift" from the studio owner --to keep me interested.
Bob Phillips
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Author: joeyscl
Date: 2006-01-17 20:22
Think of it this way... Getting paid is great, but if your students enjoy it(meaning you enjoy it), then thats even better!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-01-17 20:26
wtfPwnage wrote:
> Think of it this way... Getting paid is great, but if your
> students enjoy it(meaning you enjoy it), then thats even
> better!
We have far too many teachers who are ONLY doing it for the money.
We don't need any more...GBK
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2006-01-17 22:30
One of the things about teaching is to be able to let it go. If the student doesn't care, it's not your fault. It's also not really your concern as long as you're holding up your part of the bargain and working on what will improve their playing. It's the student's choice to practice at home or not to practice at home. It's also the student's choice to care. You can attempt to set a good example and transmit some of the passion you feel for the instrument, but the bottom line is that not every one of your students will continue. Heck, you can't always guarantee they'll come to their next lesson! (I mean that metaphysically... )
I absolutely adore teaching private lessons. My single goal is to improve their playing. If this happens even in minute increments, I'm doing my job. My goal is not to make lots of "mini-mes" or even to have any of them major in music. That is their decision, and not mine.
Katrina
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