Let’s be honest… how many of us musicians ”end” being a teacher? How many of us dreamed about being one? And how many really enjoy this job? Most part of the teachers I know, would prefer to play in an orchestra. Some play in orchestras and teach as well. Teaching wasn’t for me, my first choice. I would say that in general, I love to play and I like to teach.
During my bachelor I had my first experience with teaching and I was scared! I never though teaching was something easy but the more I learn and the more experience I get, I found it harder and harder. In 2018 I decided to start the Master Degree in Music-Pedagogy. I soon began to teach and be supervised by other teacher. And the questions and frustrations quickly appeared… Your presence, your language, your enthusiasm, your precision and coherence, your empathy etc., everything matters! And there are many other factors that make you a good or bad teacher. But one of them stands out for me: YOU MUST LIKE TO TEACH. I am of the opinion that a good teacher must be open to learn, improve, adapt, listen to, think and rethink in an almost daily basis. Being a good musician definitely doesn’t mean being a good teacher. You must be coherent, respectful, kind, creative,… and the list goes on. Are you all of that? I am definitely not! But I do think about it and I try to improve everyday. Each student has something to teach me as well, I just need to pay attention. And… (don’t ask me how the Universe knows) when I’m feeling a great teacher, something happens in the class that makes me come down to earth and be humble again. And for that, I’m really thankful!
Besides being a very demanding job, I also realised that no matter what you do, you will never be the best teacher to every student and some of them… well, they just really won’t like you! Another essential thing to learn is that your job is to make the kid have fun with the instrument. Can I tell you a secret? That was (and it still is) a hard lesson for me to interiorise. My experience was different (as probably yours). When I started to learn the violin, I knew I needed to practice a lot. It was never just a hobby. Nobody ever told me, I should have fun. Instead I heard many times ”you need to practice more”, ”it’s not good enough”, etc. But the reality is that most of our students won’t look at music as something dearly important to them or as something very serious. It’s another hobby and they just got the chose your instrument too – until they decide they want to change to another one… Hard job, I know! They do it mostly to have fun, so try not to take that from them. I did already the mistake to expect too much, to talk more about the importance of practicing than the importance of having fun with the instrument. But it is true we PLAY it… and playing should always include some fun :). I really believe this is an important lesson to learn as a teacher, and to know that most of our students won’t be professional musicians. So, if your student is having fun with the instrument, you are already doing a good job!
So maybe you already know why I said earlier that in general, I like to teach. I am forever happier on stage, having concerts with my friends. But there is nothing comparable to a motivated and interested student. Witnessing them improving, getting more and more independent and remembering where they started, it’s just beautiful and rewarding. Everything ends with that connection between teacher and student, for which I have the honour to have. I love music, I do, but music without sharing, passion or connection, is an empty room.
Nevertheless, are we always aware of the importance and responsibility it is to teach?
What about you? Do you like to teach? Or do you do it just to pay your bills? Are you paying attention to your students and allowing yourself to get better at it? Never forget it is a lifelong learning experience!
Tight hug,
Ravi
Thank you for this topic! I think, a teacher should be a very well educated, interested, emphatic and wise personality to cover all (or most of) the questions, that may appear in the teaching process. And this is the most difficult task. In the orchestra one goes through another kind of tasks and they might seem easier, because there is another kind of responsibility – play well, follow the conductor, give energy. But in the music pedagogy one always confronts with many more things at the same time. And that could be an intimidating thing for one person or a great thing for another. So, you are right, one has to love it! 😊
You are very welcome! Thank you for reading and taking the time to give your opinion. 🙂 I totally agree with what you said. Playing in orchestra or being a teacher, are two very different kind of jobs.