Selecting their next teacher

I can think of a few situations this may be necessary.


■They’re moving
■You’re moving
■You’ve taught them all you can
■It’s not a good fit
■They’re off to music school
■You are downsizing
■They want to learn something you don’t teach

Whatever the reason, the next teacher will assess their ability, progress, and potential and our teaching effectiveness. Possibly an embarrassing prospect. The next teacher will be impressed with our work if the student has learned the basics, has mastered the technique at their level, has learned how to practice and they still possess the joy to play that attracted them to music in the first place.

When I interview a prospective transfer student or I’m evaluating a student in a professional situation some of the things I’m looking for are:

■Enthusiastic attitude
■Good hands (technique)
■The student can clap accurately the rhythm in the music I give them (shows me they’ve worked on the basics)
■They are clear on their objectives (clarity of purpose)
■They can play a few favourite pieces (indicates their musical preferences)
■They have a few favourite pieces (an excellent indicator of enthusiasm)
■They listen to the music they want to study. (If they want to study classical music they enjoy actively listening to it. Ditto for jazz, pop, whatever.)

In the book “Practicing, A musician’s returned to music” by Glenn Kurtz, Kurtz muses with regret the technical deficiencies he brought to music school.

Wynton Marsalis in all his writings stresses the work ethic, a good heart, and mastering the basics. His books “To a young musician” and his latest, which I finished recently, “Moving to higher ground” harps constantly on these themes.

So, I suggest they interview teachers and select the one who stresses the basics, is student focused, and has a history of success in the area the student wants to work. Find a teacher who will stretch them, challenge them, and encourage them. Seek one who is creative, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

Cheers
David Story

Teaching the YouTube musician

A recent phenomenon that we should be cognizant of is YouTube.com. This free video service is quickly revolutionizing music teaching. It is already created an enormously motivated pool of potential new students. A new class of students, which has been flying under the radar for years and a group poorly served by the professional teaching profession I say.

Here’s a typical profile from my studio:

• 10 to 12 years old, oldest is 23
• Male
• An enthusiastic user of the computer, computer games, and the internet
• Loves music, and pop culture
• Has an impatient character
• Possesses high energy
• Self-motivated
• Have definite musical tastes
• The predominant learning style is visual and auditory. In other words, they don’t like to read music.
• They are unresponsive to traditional teaching methods, aims, and processes.
• They fit the classic definition of amateur: for the love of music.

The big question, of course is” how do we serve this group”, or maybe the question is,” Do we want to serve this group?”

 There are few strategies I’ve successfully used:

• I review the instructional video on YouTube with the student. I help correct their technical approach to the piece, typically we redo the fingering.
• I take their musical interests seriously.
• I help them explore other music related to their interests.
• To help their reading, I often write out a phrase of the piece for them to learn.
• I teach them how to assemble the music on the computer using sequencing software.
• I encourage them to think about joining a band or jamming with their friends.

Here are a few outcomes

•  Because they play primarily by ear, love to practice and are highly motivated they typically play with the best groove and feel of all my students.
• Because I take their musical interests seriously, none of them have quit.
• I learned some exciting new music from enthusiastic self-motivated students.

Cheers,

David Story

The most important teacher: Our First

This begins a series of blogs on our early teachers who inspired us. It is my hope this will encourage our prospective students and parents to choose carefully, looking carefully at the professional and personal qualities of ORMTA teachers.

From: Jacqueline J.Huffman-Krisza ARCT, B. Mus., M. Ed., RMT

1. Name of the teacher and your age when you began working with this teacher.

Name: Mrs. Myers at age 5. She died suddenly during the first year I was with her. I still treasure a couple of pictures I received from her estate.
Name: Louis Murch at age 10. My sister was allowed to start lessons with him, courtesy of Reginald Godden so I was very honoured to take lessons with him. My Mother always made going for our lessons a special event at the old Conservatory in Hamilton.

2. Subject(s) taught:

Piano ... Mr. Murch tried to teach me theory but that was a horror story…the poor gentleman endured those lessons!

3. What were the one or two major qualities that inspired you most as a young person?

Mrs. Myers - her kindness and genuine caring quality
Mr. Murch - Wow! To me he was a magical musician. He was an amazing concert pianist.

4. Can you briefly describe their teaching method? For example, how did they introduce a subject, plan their lessons, and follow-up?

Introduction - he played the piece flawlessly; in fact, when we started a new grade he would play several of the pieces and encourage me to choose pieces. He always had the final choice. He gave me an interesting historical fact/hook about each piece, and challenged me to present a designated section from memory the following week. There really was not a "plan" that I remember except, minimal directions in my dictation book. Hanon was a must! Czerny sight reading books were encouraged.

5. How did they respond to special requests?

I can't remember ever making requests as I was so busy trying to keep up with assignments plus always trying to avoid scales.
　
7. Where they a permissive teacher or more focused?

Mr. Murch was focused, a gentleman who I respected, yet a friend who I shall always admire.

8. How has they’re example continued to inspire you in adulthood?

He has encouraged me to take the time to listen to my students, encourage them and focus on them as the most important person in the world.

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Postscript: I encourage other teachers to send in their memories, based on the eight questions.
Cheers,
David

sharing ideas with each other

Dear Hamilton- Halton ORMTA members, Our ORMTA Fundraising

Committee is embarking on a new venture, and we are asking for your help. We feel that all of our members have teaching ideas that every member can benefit from knowing, and we ask you to request at your first branch meeting that everyone in your group sit down and record all the teaching tips they use in their studios to help their students progress in their musical studies.

We have the following categories in mind, and are also open to all other suggestions for topics: Rudiments, Theory, Technique, Practice Tips, Musical Games, Vocal, Piano, Other Instruments, Time Management, Visual Aids, Motivational Tools, Memorization, Exam, Festival and Recital Preparation, Composing Ideas

One of the MANY reasons that ORMTA membership is so important to all of us is sharing ideas with each other, and supporting each other, so we will all be better teachers. Each of us has many gifts to share, and to that end, we ask you to share your ideas with all of us, so we can help our students to reach their goals.

The completed "OPUS" will be for sale at the Convention in London next July, and we will be taking orders as soon as the book is completed. Please watch for more information about this fundraising project in the next issue of NOTES. We thank you very much for your support. Lorrie Tennant and Charline Farrell ORMTA Fundraising Committee send your tips to lorrietennant@sympatico.ca

my response

Here are five tips I've given to students:

1. Listen to the music, professionally and competently played, with the score in hand. Concentrate listening to one element at a time: Dynamics, phrasing, articulations, etc. Mark up your score with what you hear. Try it out. Keep what you like.

2. Go to concerts letting your teacher know what you like. Too many students like one type of music and dutifully and reluctantly study another type.

3. Exercise before practicing. The release of endorphins will help you focus and inspire you. For kids I've recommended running around for 10 minutes, or playing street hockey, throw some hoops etc. For adults practice try practicing after returning from the gym.

4. Learning to play well is very difficult, which is why it is so satisfying. :-)

5. Try to breathe slowly while practicing, it will help the body relax, the keep the mind focused.

Cheers, David

The Mental Game

Below are a few principles of self-management for music success. This was taken from an article by Henry Brunton. www.henrybrunton.com I’ve adapted it for music.

Performance, expectations, reinforcement, motivation, energy, effort, self confidence, commitment, decision.

1. Performance and execution is of course the key. Consider yourself accountable for your results and your performance.
2. Your expectations dictate your performance. You get what you expect.
3. Establish and keep good habits.
4. Motivation is 90% pull and 10% push.
5. Maximize your return on energy by establishing your commitments, setting priorities, and managing your energy within these commitment areas.
6. Manage your efforts. As Henry says “there is only one way to get from objectives to results-Effort”
7. Manage your self-confidence. Because expectations determine performance managing your self-confidence determines your expectations.
8. Commitment: changing “I should” to “I will”, and set a timetable.
9. Get busy. Put your energy into doing it, not thinking about doing it.

Cheers,

David

Artistry in piano teaching by William Brown

Artistry in piano teaching by William Brown

Menahem Pressler, the renowned pianist and teacher is lovingly profiled in the book “Menahem Pressler artistry and piano
teaching “by William Brown from Indiana University press 2009

The biography traces the early years and development of this fine pianist, teacher, and musician. A couple of points stand out:

1. The importance of receiving correct and enthusiastic instruction from the earliest years.

2. The power of the human spirit to overcome seemingly insurmountable problems and threats.

3. I was inspired to read of Mr. Pressler’s passion for lifelong learning. Where ever he was, Pressler would seek out instruction from the finest teacher in the area. His continued seeking guidance well after he had established himself as a professional pianist. His search for excellent teachers and new influences for his life led him to seek the best he could find, both in Europe and in America. The lineage of these various teachers reaches into the history to Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Liszt, and Chopin and includes the Germanic, French, and Russian traditions. He became carefully schooled in the details of form, musical theory, and style. He learned to incorporate the relaxed approach into his own playing and his teaching. His desire for perfection came from being highly demanding both of himself and his students. His amazing love for practicing as well as performing lends a quality of delight to his music making and teaching.

4. As a teacher he sought the following qualities and prospective students: “I look for character, attitude, a sense of inner discipline, a force that would help the students succeed. You have to come with everything, with a love for it, with the desire to really devote your life to it.” He says he looks for coordination… that the hands are good. “And I look for intelligence, so that I know they will understand what I have to say to them. We must do anything to help a person find his maximum, how few do find it. I want them to be motivated and to continue after the decree, after getting a job, and so forth I wanted to keep the desire, no matter where they end up because that place where they are is the musical center for them. If you continue to live that way, you will make yourself happy and will make others around you happy. You will not feel that you are just a poor pianist who makes a poor salary, but that you are rich man."


Cheers


David