OMG. I need to have a rant about teenagers at school

32 replies

blanketsnuggler · 04/12/2025 11:51

Currently on a break from teaching 1-2-1 music lessons.
OMG. Do I really have to spoon-feed them everything. They all seem to pretty bad today. Turning up late; saying they have no time to practice this week; mum didn't pack my music; when is the concert? (they've all had a letter containing all the info); What note does F Major scale start on (the clue is in the name..);And it's not even lunch time yet. ARRRRGGGGHHHHH.
thank you.

OP posts:

OneDayIWillLearn · 04/12/2025 16:25

Greenfinch7 · 04/12/2025 15:45

I think the whole system of doing grades and seeing music as another thing which can be tested, competed over, punished for, etc is part of the problem.

Chamber music, the joy of being able to do something that wasn't possible a few months ago, performing in a joyful way, the intimate friendships that you build playing music together or taking lessons 121: these are the reasons I liked to play. These are not easy to create in music lessons at school.

OP, I am so glad you had one student to redeem the day! You sound like a caring and sensitive teacher- remember you might be the only adult who takes a personal interest in that child's work and has an ongoing project with that child; it can be very important.

It is hard when you feel like your work consists of cajoling the child to want to learn, rather than the challenge of helping an interested student learn, which is what teachers want to be doing!

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Yes it’s a strange system and no mistake!

VickyEadieofThigh · 04/12/2025 16:27

LighthouseLED · 04/12/2025 11:59

I’d be questioning how much they wanted to take lessons tbh.

Nothing you’ve said would have been an issue for teenagers when I was one back in the dark ages and I’m not convinced they’ve changed that much. Difference is we weren’t pushed by parents into doing extracurriculars we weren’t keen on.

I think the last sentence here is key.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 04/12/2025 16:42

I’m not sure when it ends. I have a friend who is a university lecturer and her students would drive me mad. I wouldn’t be half as tolerant with them as she seems to be.

Original poster

blanketsnuggler · 04/12/2025 17:35

Oh, music must be fun and enjoyable. That's the whole point of it isn't it?
I love the run up to Christmas when we can play easier Christmas tunes and duets for fun. Unless they've turned up late, forgotten their books and we do scales and exercises all lesson, and the teacher is having a grumpy day.

OP posts:

Manthide · 04/12/2025 17:55

Bookpage · 04/12/2025 12:52

That depends entirely on class. None of the working class children I grew up with had music lessons...and I don't think many do today.

The only thing likely to have changed is where PP sits on that scale.

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I'm working class from Liverpool and I went to piano lessons as did my dm when she was a girl. My dc all took music lessons with various degrees of success and we are on universal credit and I work in a warehouse. Dd3 did her grade 8 piano yesterday and ds has grade 7 piano and grade 6 violin (covid affected or he would have gone higher).

Manthide · 04/12/2025 17:58

I would say dd3's piano teacher is a saint dealing with her lack of planning, practising etc. She has adhd and it's a struggle but she loves music.

KittyFinlay · 04/12/2025 20:01

I think everyone is just so bloody tired at this time of year. Adults and children alike. This term seems to drag on forever, I keep checking my calendar and being amazed at how many weeks there is left to go. Not to mention the eleventy-billion December activities we are forced to participate in or volunteer for. And I'm not even a term time worker. Cut them- and yourself- a bit of slack.

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