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Saturday, July 04, 2009

Teacher Lounge
Teacher Motivation in an Independent Studio
A Guide for Private Music Teachers

TOPIC - Teachers who work in an Independent Studio may be isolated from other resources and other teachers. This presents a challenge for teachers to keep sharp and creative. How do you keep motivated?

Original Message

7/14/00 Robyn Martin PIANOBLESSINGS@webtv.net
One way I continue motivation is by attending as many piano teacher seminars and workshops available. Alfred Publishings, Hal Leonard, Bastien and Faber & Faber have each conducted clinics within a 50 mile radius of my area.

7/21/00 Sally Dawson sallydawson@hotmail.com
Hi everyone: I have found that summers are a great time to recharge my teaching batteries. My teaching load is usually reduced, so I use the extra time to take lessons -especially on a new or different instrument. This summer it is plectrum banjo! For several years I have been hearing this really fantastic banjo player teach in the studio next to mine, so I finally gave in to the temptation. It puts me in the position of being a student so I can again see things from a student's viewpoint. It also gives me a different perspective on teaching, and I find there are always ways to relate and or contrast one instrument or instrumental style to another. My students also seem to appreciate my putting myself in their position as a student.

7/22/00 Linda E. Lusch llusch@columbus.rr.com
I agree that one must stay current with the newest teaching materials & one way is by attending seminars etc. I take several other steps. I also belong to 5 different music organizations which offer everything from professional experience to teaching skills. I keep my performance capabilities sharp by going back and studying piano with a master teacher and plan a recital of my own. In other words " I talk the talk and walk the walk."

7/22/00 Paula E. Kushnick keyboardmaven@hotmail.com
A few years ago I joined the National Piano Guild. It help me to maintain focus and make sure that my students have the proper skills. The annual auditions give the students a clear goal. I also give several small recitals during the year and a large one (all of the students)at which the guild certificates and pins are presented, after auditions.

7/22/00 Brenda Carol bcarol@canada.com
Take lessons yourself. Develop your learning as well as your teaching. Join other musical groups which challenge your skills and styles of music.
-Vocal instructor/Coach in Canada.

7/23/00 Steve Roberts srob62@aol.com
I must preface this comment by stating that I do not belong to any type of studio (independent or other wise), as I`m one of the few piano teachers that travels to teach (just like in the old days). I derive my inspiration and motivation from the simple fact of having an opportunity to expose a person (young or old) to the myriad techniques of playing a musical instrument. Unlike some teachers, I also have over 20 yrs professional playing experience (in a variety of fields) and bring this vast experience in to the academic field. In short, it is the simple human act of wanting to share experience and knowledge that motivates me to continue to want to reach out and teach people.

7/24/00 Janet Sawyer janets@gosiggy.com
What a good subject to talk about! The responses so far are quite interesting. My violin studio is the living room of my house and I find that motivation comes quite easily when you have a flock of talented youngsters (or even just one!). I gain energy from my students as they are all involved in other activities and generally can be called a lively group. In addition to teaching the basics, my focus is ensemble playing at an early stage (by the time the student can play whole and half notes in time with at least three fingers on two strings ... about one to two months). This is a motivator in itself as the students enjoy it so much. I also have one viola student and she likes playing with a violin counterpart (other than me). Performing in any type of public venue is another method for my and the student's motivation. Since this community has a lot of elderly people in assisted living facilities, it's easy to expose the children to performing opportunities. Of course church and school are other places that students regularly use to show off. And they love the attention it gets them! I agree that taking lessons is a good way to remain humble and I do this too, with a master teacher. I also play in a string trio for weddings, etc. and that keeps me involved in the community. There are no string associations in this area but it surely would be an asset. Thanks for all your ideas!

9/14/00 D C Dowdell lessons@apassion4jazz.net
While building from a strong 'basics' platform, my focus is improvised music. Jazz music!

"Keeping it fresh" can sometimes be more attitude than technique. Because I hand (computer aided) write most charts, exercises and assignments, rather than follow published lesson books, I am continually presented with choices in the way I may present musical ideas.

I often write several versions of the same lesson plan allowing for broader understanding.

While daily notation can occasionally become tedious, it definitely gives me various oppertunities to present age old concepts in a fresh and interesting manner.

9/24/00 Robyn PIANOBLESSINGS@webtv.net
Where is everyone? This site has been quiet for awhile...
I received a call from a former student of mine (it has been about 11 yrs) and she has decided to take on private piano teacher for additional income.
She "minored" in music while in college...we are attending a clinic with June Montgomery with Alfred this week! I was so overjoyed to hear she was starting to teach!

10/26/00 Cathy Thompson calt8308@hotmail.com
I agree with DC Dowell's 9/14/00 explanation of the benefits of hand-writing one's own lesson materials. In addition to my own worksheets, I also make teaching aids which I will also give to students for a small fee (probably MUCH less than any music store would charge.) It's important for teachers, both music and academic, to teach in as fresh and personal a style as they can, because remember the days when our 99 year old classroom teachers would hand out the same old dittos they'd been doing for years?....boring!!! Secondly, attend master classes - learn from the greats. Thirdly, the good teachers also learn from their own students as well as from other teachers in their field (ie: don't think your God's gift to music!!) Fourthly, play as much yourself as you can - in orchestra, small group, local gigs, so you can keep up your chops and "practice what you preach." And most important, LOVE to teach. If you are only doing it for the money, don't bother!

1/5/01 Michael Sullivan mdsullivan1@hotmail.com
Seeing the students eyes pop open when they finally "get it". I remember it well, and still experience it myself.

1/30/01 larkspur bzornosa@charterpa.net
I was overwhelmed, after 33 years of teaching. I decided I should quit teaching. Then, after slowly releasing 20 students who had not been putting the required effort into their practicing, I felt a surge of interest in the remaining 30 students. I attended a seminar at Grand Valley State University, in Michigan, last summer.A class on group teaching held by Elvina Truman Pearce gave me a final push into group lessons. The group lessons once a month have added a dimension to my piano teaching that both the students and I find exciting. The students do not feel as isolated as with only private lessons. I have the challenge of presenting theory and technic in a different form every month. It is difficult to keep the number of students to 30, as I get so many calls for new students. However, I belong to MTNA PMTA-WC and find I can help other teachers by referring students to them.

1/31/01 Stephen Bondy sbondy@yahoo.com
I am in just this situation, being an independant teacher and find this a very relevant question to my situation. My personal answer is to continually strive for excellence in my own playing. I continually question my sound, articulation, technique, everything about my playing, to try and be the best musician I can be. I give concerts as regularly as possible, and I let my students know that I sweat over my recitals! I am as engaged in the activity of learning music and the instrument as they are. I find it helps maintain a level of mutual respect between student and teacher. They know that I can relate with their struggles on the instrument, as I have struggles as well.

2/6/01 Tasha tlhcur@msn.com
I am a stay-at-mom and I have about 10+years of violin playing experience. I havent played since I graduated from college in 1998 and I'm looking to get back into the swing of things and start offering private lessons out of my home. I primarily want to work with beginners who are children starting at about 5yrs old and up using the Suzuki method. I need info in how to get started, i.e. cost per lessons, info on suzuki method, and any other info you may have. Please feel free to email me. Thanks

2/21/01 Barbara Graham dbgraham@starpower.net
I am entering this discussion with just "Amen" to everyone's ideas and suggestions. I keep motivated by MTNA local events, Guild auditions for piano students and myself, workshops and state and MTNA national conventions; this year's national convention in Washington, D.C. Also teaching students of various ages and abilities and using different kinds of methods and music keeps me on my toes, thus motivated. Reading, practicing and searching for music (the fun part) all are bonuses for the love of teaching one must have.

2/23/01 Michelle Mielke mmielke@mail.wsu.edu
I find that, as many of you have mentioned, there are a wealth of ways to "refresh" my teaching, including communicating with other teachers, entering my students in festivals and competitions, and performing in recitals and musical events myself. But I think the universal motivator that works for me is to continually ask myself these questions: "How can I continue to promote the value of music in my community and beyond?" and "How can I make music lessons more appealing to new students and even more enjoyable for returning students?" I've found answers in such things as motivational wall-charts which map the progress of individual students in theory and repertoire, and audio recordings of student "performances" in their lessons at various times throughout the year which they can take home after the last recital. And, of course, ensemble performances and other social activities are so important for making music appealing to young people today.

4/9/01 Eric Starr starrejstarr@aol.com
I think it's simply important to remain passionate about music (and life). Also, it is necessary to remember WHY you--as a teacher--began teaching and playing in the first place. If you're a good teacher, it is because you have a drive to continue to learn about and create music...This will undoubtedly rub off on your students. Students can always tell if they are in the midst of a cynical mind: whether consciously or unconsciously, they can tell. If you fuel your own musical "fire," you will then continue (or begin to) spark others'.

6/17/01 jan wyndyjan@aol.com
hi y'all over the seas- I am a professional trumpeter and music professor from the uk and would love to hear from all you yankees and others as well!!! hope that wasn't an offensive thing to write? would love to hear from any instrumentalist and teacher particularly regarding new ways to teach and motivate as it is so important to keep it fresh don't you think- can you include Uk teachers on your teaching banks "mr music staff", as i am sure you get plenty of surfers from here who may need lessons too!

7/18/01 Lisa glbrookins@nefcom.net
I, like many others posting in here, keep motivated via workshops, browsing the music stores to see what is available, and the most useful tool I have found is..THIS! the internet! The internet helps put people of likemind in reach of one another to help motivate and encourage. Every once in a while, I need to redetermine why I began teaching, and to decide if the stress and hassle of the "strong willed" student is worth it. I say YES it is. I'd like to hear how some of you keep your STUDENTS motivated?

7/23/01 Amy Zelda1999@hotmail.com
I agree with all of you who state the relevance of taking lessons oneself. As a teacher, it is of utmost importance to be able to "see it from the student's point-of-view." This is the biggest way we have to reach into the minds of our students and have the creativity to come up with new and fascinating ways of teaching the same old rules and techniques. Another way I stay motivated (which in turn keeps my students motivated) is to play along with them, or have them play in groups. This technique helps students hear what their instrument should sound like and for them to try and copy that. After all, isn't music about expression that is difficult to explain with words? I think that having an example to aspire to can be a terrific motivator! Playing along with their cohorts can also be a motivator. Children are naturally very competitive at the age when beginning lessons, why not use that to your advantage? Team sports have been using that technique for years! Visual representations, such as charts with their progress also add to the element of competition in a classroom.

7/25/01 Paula Manwaring paulamanwaring@hotmail.com
I would also like to comment on teaching in a group style. I have taught piano for the past 25 years and recently (4 years ago) began teaching 3-4 students in a one-hour class. Each student has their own piano (digital) and moves at their own speed. I still teach my advanced students in private lessons. However, for the beginner - intermediate student, this works very well. During the hour each student spends individual time working with me on their lesson material / time working on theory at the computer / time recording their practiced pieces and time as a group playing theory games or doing ensemble work. It is a very fun way to learn, as well as teach. It also helps earn you more income per hour, which is great.

To the teacher having difficulty accepting the younger age students...we have been successful the last 2 years teaching the "Minimusic" program. This is a 9-month course (for any instrument), that teaches all of the beginning music concepts through games, songs and worksheets. It is lots of fun to teach and has helped build our student base from the bottom up!

I am also interested in any comments teachers have as to places for recitals. In our area, most recitals are held in music stores or libraries. We have to reserve 6 months to a year in advance to hold our spot. Does anyone have any suggestions as to other places to hold a recital?

8/2/2001 Elise Rauschenbach elysia@tiac.net
Regarding Paula Manwaring's question on recitals:

A great place is a local church parish hall. There's one in our town this has a lovely contemporary space with a cathedral ceiling plus a wonderful, TUNED Yamaha grand.

They charge $50 for the room for an afternoon or evening because even though our Studios are for-profit, they consider the recital a "community event" and therefore charge the non-profit rate.

Good luck,

Elise
Two Rivers Music,
Peterborough, NH

8/9/2001 Scotty Spurlin SSprln@netscape.net
Ya'll have great ideas...I especially like the group lesson idea and taking lessons yourself, maybe even from 2 different teachers. I have only one suggestion: give group lessons once a month instead of all the time or not at all. I am a new piano teacher (well, I don't have any students yet) so any more suggestions are needed and appreciated.

Thanks!
Scotty Spurlin

8/17/2001 Robyn PIANOBLESSINGS@webtv.net
To Scotty - what are you waiting for? Get those teaching skills going!
Recruit, recruit, recruit!
This is the time of the year to do this!

8/17/2001 Jackie Jordan creativekids@cfl.rr.com
Motivation comes from seeking new challenges, and setting goals continually. Never allow yourself to remain stagnant.Explore new interests, and be involved.Act upon it!

8/24/2001 Naomi naomivazquez@hotmail.com
I'm doing research for a class and am interested in finding info on any good surveys for assessing teacher motivation and leadership motivation. Could you please help?

Thank You

Naomi

10/21/2001 Mary Titus mmttol7@earthlink.net
I have taught the flute, privately, for eight years. Having a family makes it difficult to grow as a would like but I manage to keep 25 to 40 students on my roster. I go to area schools and develop a strong rapport with the band directors. I want to have a professional musician relationship with someone who will appreciate my efforts. Although I have no degree I am treated as though I have my doctorate in this field because I do far more than "teach" flute lessons. I had two flute choirs formed from my group of students that performed in malls, festivals and churches. I taught myself to conduct music in order to have these flute choirs. I encourage my students to work diligently on tone and healthy hand position. I often recieved phone calls from professionals, whom I didn't know, praising my abilities as a teacher.

I also keep in touch with that inner performer and make sure that I am always playing my flute for events. I practice, study with master teachers. I am more of a performer than teacher and that is why I stay motivated to teach. By experiencing music is how I keep easily motivated. Motivation must go beyond that little room in which we teach.

1/12/2002 Jeneen Holland jhflute@swbell.net
I find that performing a solo recital for my students keeps me motivated. How disappointed would my students be if I had a terrible performance? Enough said. :)

3/7/2002 Denis Bach denisbach@juno.com
To stay up and motivated is to be so in life overall. Balance of Spirit, Body and Mind. Being active in recording, producing, writing, arranging as well as the occasional public event keep my feet firmly planted and away from the temptation to take students to instructional never-never-land.

God's best, Denis

4/2/2002 JWZZ3 ZZYY3@ATTBI.COM
Well. What Can I say. I have a degree in Music from Berklee College of music in Boston MA. I've been teaching Guitar since Lincoln was President and have been playing at least twice as long. The Guitar is a frustrating instrument to learn. Their have been more times than not in which I've wanted to make toothpicks out of my Guitar. With the piano,if you put your fingers where your told to put them you get a sound. Not so with the Guitar. Many times no matter how well intended the student may be, he or she-depending on ones age-may not possess(seems like an awful lot of esses in that word) the physical strength that's required in order to get the note to sound. Motivation. "Oh motivation..Let me count the ways." First off. Most of my students:at the beginning, have visions of grandur going off in their heads. Most of them have absolutely no conception as to how So and So got from point A to point B. The average student of mine stays with me for about 18 months. I have one student who has been with me for over 9 years and another for over 5 years. I feel I must be doing something right.

First off,let me say that I feel very strongly about making sure that my students learn how to read music. It's my number one priority. But...at the same time I realize that most method books can be very boring. Motivation? I ask one thing of my students. You meet me half way and I'll meet you the other half. I give my students assignments and they give me assignments. I show them how to play songs by "Sublime..ACDC.. Louie louie...wild thing/and so on and so on/and they in turn do what I ask of them. Which consists of "Reading...Scales and chords. I'm pretty sneaky. When they least expect it I slip in some theory every now and then. Gotta remember...we are teachers but at the same time we are also trying to eke out a meager living. I have many students who are also friends with each so periodically I get them together and give them a lesson at the same time, which usually consists of a song they both want to do.. You'd be suprised at the sense of accomplishment they feel when playing "Day Tripper..or Get Back/from beginning to end/Hey...We all love Mel Bay but lets be reasonable here...BORING.. At some point I tend to use the method books as a suppliment to other things. I teach "Jazz..Rag Time..Rock...Blues..Classical...Whatever floats your boat. As a teacher I like to have fun also..I know were my priorities lie and I never lose sight of them but....if you want to keep your students you need to meet them halfway. I always have them make me a tape of songs they want to do. I walk them through the process involved in figuring out to play the song, which involves "Listening" not in a passive sense but in an "intimate" sense. The bottom line is, that I can only show them what they should or shouldn't do. What ever gets accomplished is because they took it upon themselves to do it. The last person my students should do anything for is "ME". They should do it for Themselves..

7/30/02 Linda Murno lindam1962@juno.com
I was excited to know of an organization solely for pianists. Would anyone care to inform me of the website or mailing address of The National Piano Guild. Thank you very much.

8/15/02 B Ellis webefunky@webtv.net
As a drum instructor I like to use live performance videos so my students can actually feel like they're playing with they're favorite group.It helps them to see the musicians clocking to the music so they get a sense of energy and timing.Mucho Motivation.

8/16/02 Lewis Moore lmoore@charter-it.com
Has anyone had any experience in teaching piano to a mentally-handicapped child?

9/25/02 Bonnie Woodruff fastwaypianomethod@yukontel.com
I believe that teaching piano is my Calling from God. I had other opportunities, but knew this was my calling. I never have to keep myself motivated, for two reasons --- sounds crazy, but it is true with me. I teacher the same piano course over and over, but LOVE TEACHING PIANO, sharing what God has given me through education and abilities to my students.

The other aspect of motivation is my unique piano method that I have been using for over 20 years. I see rapid results, like beginners to advanced in one year -- Wow! What a wonderful feeling a teacher has when they see this happening, and that my students love piano because they see themselves very accomplished, sooner then they ever thought possible.

When I taught the other methods, I found myself creating more ways on staff paper, to keep the student excited!

I have taught Yamaha School of Music, and it was there, that they showed me a way of teaching, that I could relate to --- "game-oriented." Love it!! Use this style of teaching all the time!!

I keep motivated, by God, because it is my Calling, and seeing the rapid results of my piano students.

10/21/02 Theresa theresa@rochester.rr.com
My motivation comes from my students. As we break for the summer, I feel that it will probably be the last time that I teach, because the strain of teaching has taken it's toll. I encounter the same each year, too many committments to schedule lessons, not enough time to practice and the list goes on. But, in the fall, I get a resurgence of interest. Those students that seemed not to care are calling and requesting my time. As they renew their committment, I feel rejuvenated.

Then come the requests, "I want to play this," "Can you teach me that?" And now I am faced with the challenges of teaching things in a new way for a student that has renewed interest. There is no better motivator than an interested student.

2/1/03 Lewis Moore hiddentalent1@charter.net
I have to agree. Teaching music is my calling from God also. Sometimes it is a sacrifice on our part financially but the rewards and satisfaction that teaching music gives is something that money can not buy.

2/23/03 David Williams suzuki.david@web.de
Hi good people. First of all, thank you for the interesting comments on staying motivated. As you can see from my address, I employ the principles established by Shinichi Suzuki in my piano instruction as a private teacher in Germany. This is very challenging since the average pedestrian here doesn't have a clue as to what the method is, and then there are the well established music schools that offer a more social vehicle for the parents. I think we can all agree, that to look into the eyes of a child that registers comprehension is very motivational! And reflecting on our roots can give us a goal-center/motivation.....why did I want to play this instrument anyway? Why do I want to pass my love of the instrument on to others? When I'm feeling low from lack of parental support or student participation, I remember the many lives that have been helped, the children who have continued playing the instrument and the wonderful friendships that have been made, for life. One of my pianist friends at the University told me that her piano teacher was her best friend, someone she could count on to be there week to week, always an open ear. Unlike other subjects at school, we have the responsibility to see students over a period of many years. But maybe it's not the years but a matter of minutes, how we spend our time with the children, the amount of enthusiasm and dedication we can bring to the young learner. If anyone is interested, a great source of inspiration for me is Suzuki's book "Nurtured by Love". To read about passionate educators is motivational, even to try to come close to the brilliance of these! Happy teaching!

3/7/03 Linda Gilchrist jlglfg@mb.sympatico.ca
I really enjoyed reading all of the other teachers' comments. I have 25 private piano students and also teach classroom music parttime in the school system. I am a square dance caller and a church organist. Everything I do is music in one way or another. I love it all. I like the variety. I attend workshops whenever possible. I live in a rural area which means travelling for any professional development, but it is always worth it. Just meeting other teachers who do the same kinds of things that I do and have the same interests is always uplifting. As I mentioned, I enjoy the variety of teaching one on one and then coming to the school and teaching groups of kids to sing or dance or play recorders etc. This is a great site. Keep up the good work!

3/30/03 Tony tonytuba@earthlink.net
I keep myself motivated this way: I look out my window and I see my new truck, and remember that the lessons are paying for it. Thats enough. I get recharged in August when its slow with the new school year beginning. I usually increase studio size during ther summer. Motivation is that its my job, and I like it. The fact that I like the kids coming to see me is helpful too. I like spending that hour with them.

4/20/03 Darryl Hill darrylhill56@attbi.com
I agree with the general consensus that taking master classes myself and passing it along to my students is a great motivator for all involved. Recently I added the power of web pages for all my students so they had links to theory sheets, manuscript paper, sightreading drills using Sibelius as a medium, lookup tables for chords, scales and all sorts of useful links that musicians of all levels could make use of. It was smart enough to include archiving of performance and repertoire so students could monitor their progress. They have the ability to input info and send messages to not only myself but to fellow students. It is a major turbo charge to the success rate and in near future I'm going to get involved in MTNA. Music Teachers National Association this looks like a tremendous advantage for students to become more active in the music industry.

5/7/03 Lynda keys@naisp.net
I stumbled on to this site by accident and found everyone's comments very interesting. I sometimes feel like I am the only piano teacher in the world! It's great to read messages from people in other countries, too.

5/27/03 Chrystal chrystalsmothers@hotmail.com
I loved reading all of the great ideas. I have just moved and I am trying to build up a violin studio of my own. I know that there are students out there, but I am having a hard time getting in touch with anybody. Are there any ideas out there as far as recruitment goes? Please e-mail me with any suggestions.

6/4/03 Melissa msinda@mindspring.com
I've started doing a different contest every semester. This spring we did a "Spring Training" baseball themed contest, where I thought of things I'd like my students to do (like pass off pieces in their lessons books, learn their assigned scales from memory, add a note to their chromatic scale, memorize a piece of music) and assigned it a value of a single (1 point), double (2 points), triple (3 points) and home runs (4 points), based on how hard the task was. I found it to be very cut-throat competition with my kids in both my AA (younger half) division and my A (older set) division. It was a great motivator for me and the kids.
The other thing that keeps me motivated is having a goal in sight for each student. Especially with my middle-high school band students, they have a routine in every lessons: Scales (majors and minor from memory) first, then their chromatic sequence exercise, and then their memorized etude. Then they sightread a newly composed etude every week (which becomes their memory piece for the next week.) Having a routine and a goal (learning all the scales, completing the chromatic scale the full range of the flute, being able to sighread harder and harder music) really keeps me thinking of new ways to challenge the students.

4/13/04 Therese drummergirltva@aol.com
First of all, please let me thank each and every one of you for your experiences with teaching and for continuing on when you question why you do this.

I am currently 42 about to turn 43. It is because of the various drum/percussion instructors that I have encountered that I will not give up the love of music and always searching for those instructors with the enthusiasm to teach. With every life change I have encountered, it requires me to find that special instructor who knows how important music is and the value that each of you gives to your students. You may not think that you are doing anything worthwhile, but don't be fooled. What you teach, stays with each student forever. They may not realize now, but they will down the road of life. Each of you has a gift to offer and it is very special. Please, do not give up hope on any of your students. I cannot speak enough about the teachers I have encountered and how they have influenced my musical interests. I didn't realize then just how important they were. Your students will never forget you! Share your gift!

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