@wienerwoods

4 years ago

I think one of the biggest myths - and this holds across disciplines, not just in music - is that because someone has mastered their art, or is famous or whatever, they will make the best teacher. That is wrong. Teaching is it's own discipline, and it requires the same level of dedication to master as any discipline. I studied architecture as a young man, and had many teachers over the years. Some were world famous architects, and these tended to be the worst. Some were downright abusive. Years later I became a college professor myself, and it took me 5 or 6 years to truly master the art of teaching. Here is what I learned: 1) Teaching is fundamentally about communication. Each student has strengths and weaknesses. It's your job as an instructor to figure out what each student needs to grow as an artist and performer, and to provide a road-map and process for them to follow to realize their unique potential. 2) While criticism is an important part of developing skills, it's important that criticism be directed at the WORK not the PERSON. I can't stress this enough. It must also be balanced with encouragement and praise for work as it improves. 3) I saw my role as a teacher as that of an enabler. As a door opener, not as a gatekeeper. It's your job to impart a solid development process and work ethic to your students, so that they can continue to grow after studying with you. 4) We all have likes and dislikes when it comes to our art. Some of your students will have entirely different sensibilities, and you must respect these and encourage your students to follow their muse, not necessarily your own. This is one of the most difficult things to achieve, but it is essential. 5) It's not about YOU. You are being paid to help the STUDENT achieve their goals. They are not vessels for your own ambitions or whipping boys and girls for your own frustrations. Get over yourself, and leave your goddamed ego at the door. While a certain level of mastery is required to be a good teacher, it's also true that the one eyed man is king in the land of the blind. You need not be a virtuoso player to teach good technique. You don't have to have an encyclopedic knowledge of theory to teach the circle of 5ths, the major scale, or basic chord construction, and the 80/20 rule always applies - the most essential 20% of theory and technique will give you 80% of the benefit so focus on that with beginning students - the basics are the foundation of everything. I started seriously studying music 5 years ago. I'm in my 50s now, and have made stunning progress by following a few basic habits, rules, and techniques: 1) Find good teachers - online and IRL. 2) Commit to studying and practicing DAILY. Find an online teacher with a structured curriculum and PAY FOR IT. I started with Griff Hamilin's blues courses, but any well organized curriculum is a good place to start. I've spent at least one to two hours daily at guitar and theory since 2015, and I'm now playing with professional level people. I have one of the world's best hard-rock guitarists as a mentor now as a result. Seriously - one of the best. He sought me out as a student after seeing my chops in videos and reading my posts about WHY I play. For me music is a spiritual thing, not an ego thing. I'm fortunate that other musicians like my playing, but I'd play regardless. It's just something I have to do - it feeds my soul. 3) Record or film yourself playing from the start, and review and critique your playing regularly. Build on what's working well, and avoid doing what isn't, and you'll rapidly improve. Fail to do this, and all the practice in the world won't help. 4) You have to LOVE music and you have to love your instrument(s) or forget about it. The only way to get really good - no matter how gifted you are - is to put in thousands of hours developing your chops and knowledge and artistic vision. That's not gonna happen unless you love it. Peace.

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