Piano Teacher - Not An Easy Job

THE WAY IT USED TO BE... The piano teacher... Yes, that sweet ( or tyrannical) silver haired elder who all the neighborhood’s children go to on Saturday to take their piano lessons. She had one teaching method for all—do it right, or get a crack on the knuckles. It’s a bit different these days.

Many a piano student today is an adult beginner. They may have grown children who are now out of the house, and they're going to do things that they haven't had the chance to do up till now, or never had the chance to do growing up, or to continue what they started as a child. And one of those things is to play the piano; "it’s my time now". There’s not as many kids today taking piano lessons as there used to be. They’re much too busy with their computer, Xbox, Ipods, TV, etc.

"The piano teacher cannot avoid, nor keep from adjusting
to the intervening of the students personality"

BAGGAGE... One reason children generally make good piano students is the lack of life-problems they have to deal with. (for the most part). No relationship, career, or money problems etc. Life is not getting in their way; they pretty much have clear heads. So they just seem to absorb information faster, and we adults are amazed at how fast they learn. Well, it’s no wonder.

Today’s piano teacher may find themselves primarily with adult students. With these students, comes various already formed life habits, personality traits, ideas and daily challenges that carry over into the piano learning process, which at times can hinder learning process—sometimes helps. This becomes a huge challenge for the teacher. So many personalities to work with. (See The Article; ‘Students Types’) for a breakdown of this category—it's pretty interesting.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF STUDENTS... (the short take) The piano teacher cannot avoid, nor keep from adjusting to the intervening of the students personality. A confident and motivated student, is spoken to and taught differently then one with an inferiority complex. Also, teaching a first time student is different from teaching a student who has just changed teachers, or has had some negative experiences with past teachers—this brings on a whole new set of challenges for the teacher. Yes, one would say that it’s a bit like being a psychologist.

THIS IS SO EASY... A teacher who thinks that there’s only one way; a one-for-all style or approach, is in for a big surprise. If they’re not good at dealing with people in general, they will fail in teaching. Just as in life, people (students) will test you. They will judge the teacher’s reactions and responses to their performance, their questions, their challenges, etc. Did they feel encouraged? Was the teacher patient? Did he/she help them overcome a particular problem? Did the teachers tone of voice help or offend? As much as what the teacher expects from a student, the student will have expectations of the teacher.

Teaching piano and music can, and quite often becomes personal. As with any regular interaction between two human beings, a relationship of some kind is formed; for better or worse. When a teacher helps a student learn to play music, something wonderful happens for that student; and teacher. A partnership, a bond, is attained; if, the teacher can communicate in such a way as to help the student grow their love of music and the piano. Yes...‘Piano Teacher, Not An Easy Job.’

"The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book"
~Author Unknown

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