Calling Marialuisa re: violin lessons

[maggiethecat]

M, oh wise one, you are in demand! You posted on a previous thread of mine 'How would you take this' regarding ill remark that dd's violin teacher made. It's clear that you have seen a lot of teachers - the good, bad and the ugly.

I'm thinking seriously of changing dd's teacher - he's her second one - first teacher's schedule became difficult to work with. Altho dd has done well in terms of exam I think her teaching experience could have been better. He stuck mainly to the grade 1 syllabus altho he allowed her to play grade 2 pieces (she would have been bored stiff otherwise). He did not seem interested in making things interesting/new/stimulating for her, didnt really seem to recall what he had done the week before and essentially didnt seem to have any real lesson plan for her.

I've come to think that although he could be a very good teacher he may well be jaded - eg doesnt do end of year concert for his students - and is happy to wing it.

What would you think about changing to a teacher who might have a lesser teaching ability but who is enthusiastic and seemingly very interested in the individual child?

I'm a bit scared that i seem to have got this reputation! DD's love of music oes mean that i have spent far too much time with music teachers though!

What do you mean by "lesser teaching ability"? I would imagine that enthusiasm and interest in the pupil contribute to teaching ability-someone like that can build a better rapport with the student and get more out of them? I think your DD is quite young, 7ish? DD is getting to a point at 9 where she can see that although she might not warm to a teacher she can learn from them, but still wouldn't want 1-1 lessons from them (I'm thinking of a windband leader she has).

Have to go now but will check for reply tomorrow pm.

I think that getting a teacher who suits your child is far more important, particularly in the early stages, than whether they are going to be able to carry on teaching up to higher grades, if that is what you mean by "lesser teaching ability". So long as the teacher is getting the child's basic technique correct, making the child want to learn is the biggest asset.

DS is on his 4th teacher (at 16) for a mixture of reasons - they all taught him well at different stages, and all had different strengths.

So, if he's not enthusing her, or seeming to care about it, I'd certainly look to change.

Shared experience is invaluable!

I know the statement re lesser ability seems odd - I think that current teacher is very able to teach her good technical skills and his teaching experience (according to cv) may be more impressive but all of that counts for very little if he is only half interested.

Your point on other thread about some teachers only being interested if student practises hard and gets top marks has some resonance with me. He has on number of occasions called at last minute to reschedule or not called when he said he would, he booked her onto the exam at last minute (literally called me late afternoon on the last possible day to enter her, to confirm her birth date) but was very quick to call about her exam result which was very good. I suspect that the call would have not been so forthcoming had the result been just ok or am I being too cynical?

Someone recommended head of strings teacher at well known private boys' school but I think that I'd like a teacher who is interested in her needs and development rather than a big name (great if big name teacher did have this quality).

It's great that your dd has that maturity now. Dd is not quite 7 and problem is that she hates changing teachers - she just wants to play her violin.

x posted AMIS. That's what I was thinking - the enthusiastic teacher may not be able to take her up to higher grades but will probably inspire and encourage her for now.

I'd definitely go with what will suit her now, rather than trying to plan too far ahead - if the teacher puts her off, she's not going to carry on to higher grades anyway, so it won't be an advantage! Our experience has been that it's only when they get towards the higher grades that the teacher becomes a limiting factor. DS's current teacher was chosen for that (he's working towards Grade 8 now), but all the previous ones were on the basis of being ok, convenient and available

Hi Maggie

As I've said before, sometimes it's better to play around grades and expand repertoire rather than aiming for exam success - trying grade 2 or 3 pieces for example.

IME when children are younger a fun, enthusiastic and inspiring teacher is very important. If a teacher is only half interested in your DD is he really suited to teaching youngsters?

When your DD is older, experience and technical ability in a teacher becomes essential (my DD is now onto diploma level in singing and viola and definitely needs teachers who have more than just enthusiasm!)

But, I do agree with amuminscotland, don't think too far ahead. Changing teachers shouldn't be a problem for your DD now, but if she carries on with the violin, consistency of tuition will become important for her.

Agree with the others, someone who can encourage your DD and make her lessons enjoyable is much more important at this age. It does sound as if your current teacher may have leanings towards the "only really interested if they are doing well" school and for most younger players, even able younger players, it's not a great attitude.

We are in the middle of a major falling out with one of DD's music teachers who just cannot understand that although DD is very good for her age, she has no interest in working her bum off on 1 instrument and doing her g8 by the time she's 11 as she'd rather go to parties, be in the athletics team etc. And teacher really doesn't get why we support DD in this! Needless to say, we are finding lessons are getting bumped for other pupils' benefit and lots of comments about X "who isn't as able as you DD but works at it, so will do better than you"

Thanks Drayford and ML. I have for some time been leaning toward the views you share but it's good to have some assurance that I'm not making a foolish choice.

She also is desperate to play violin for her friends (none of whom play) and I think putting her up for the school orchestra where she might form 'musical' friendships might be a good thing.

I really agree that the important thing is to nurture the love and joy which her music brings.