OK, no, I did not decide to take up the use of hallucinogenic drugs as my New Year's resolution. That is not the picture of my studio, and I doubt it is yours either. In over 10 years of teaching, my thoughts have been something more like, "If I have to teach one more disinterested kid, I'm going to go crazy!"

Let's be honest with each other - we would all like to think we are the most motivating teacher on the block, that our name is spoken among our students in hushed reverence. And just maybe we are. But that does not guarantee that every student we take on will be as enthusiastic as we are. This is why teaching is such a demanding profession. It takes enthusiasm on both parts, and we can only control one of them.

The following words of advice and encouragement come from trying to keep things in perspective, and trying not to go crazy week to week. I trust that your situation will resonate with mine and you will feel the load lightened a bit.

In the community from which I draw many of my students, the extra-curricular activity choices for young students are many. Most of the kids I teach participate in organized sports leagues, have some sort of tutorting class every week, and may even play a second instrument. Oh yeah, and they like to have SOME time to go and play with their friends. Where's the time for guitar? Some fall in love with guitar and end up giving it most of their attention. Others do not.

FIGURE OUT WHERE YOUR STUDENTS ARE COMING FROM

The best teaching happens when the teacher seeks to understand where their students are coming from. Do you know WHY your students are taking guitar lessons? Honestly? If not, ask them! Tell them it's alright to be totally honest. Encourage them to work toward the goals they set. If you find out a student is there because his parents are making him take lessons, don't drop him; his parents will just find another teacher. Find a way to make guitar less of a burden and give him a fun, exciting experience with the instrument. Sometimes, you may feel like you are doing nothing more than babysitting for a really good wage. And in some cases, maybe that's exactly what is best.

BALANCE YOUR APPROACH

I've appreciated previous articles found at this site that have encouraged us to use games to make routine concepts fun. All work and no play is the quickest way to lose a student. I've said before that I don't let a student just come in and learn new song after new song, but I will teach them one of their favorites and add the purpose of understanding a new chord or picking technique. Take a look at the assignments you give to your students. Are they real world material? When was the last time you went to hear a guitar player perform Aura Lee from Mel Bay's Grade 1 Guitar Method? I know, Mel Bay is an excellent teaching method, but why not let your student hear the Elvis Presley version of the same song, called, "Love Me Tender"? Teach him the words and give him the assignment of coming up with a convincing Elvis impersonation. Your student can learn the melody and chords, and get a chance to goof off - what a combination!

ENCOURAGE INTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDENTS

Pair up students of similar age and levels and have the two play a duet together. (Or pair up an older advanced student with a younger beginner and let the older student be the teacher). Sometimes, if I have two good candidates for pairing, who's lessons are back to back, I will see if they can come in for a one hour group lesson. Many times, the students will want to get together again to play, and even start their own band. We all love to have "guitar buddies," so why shouldn't our students?

PERFORMANCE!

Tagging on to the last two concepts is the need for disinterested students to perform. I am not speaking about the good, old recital. To a student who is forced into lessons, a recital is the ultimate punishment. Find out what opportunities your students may have to perform at their schools. Talent shows are common in many schools, and are very low pressure performance opportunities. Playing for a music class is a great option, as well. Most public school music teachers would love the chance to show their classes that music can be fun outside of the classroom. There is no better encouragement than the applause of friends. If you can give your student one or two positive performance experiences, you will have a guitarist forever. After all, that's what it's all about.

HELP STUDENTS WITH THEIR PRACTICE ROUTINE

Like I said in the beginning, your teaching methods may be the best on the block, but your student only spends at most an hour in your teaching room each week. What the student does with the other 167 hours of the week with their guitar could be hurting their experience. We all probably tell our students how much to practice, but do we tell any of them how to spend that time? Ask your students to complete a practice log (again, tell them to be honest!) and on it, include time of practice and what is practiced. Then, help them to develop a routine that fits their personality and that will be more effective. Use little ideas, like the Elvis suggestion, to make practice pieces more fun. Use games, (some great ones have been suggested in the Teachers Lounge in the past month), to teach rhythm and notes. Tell your students that they should all play their material for their parents, brothers, and sisters as part of their practice.