Help please!

[S.Lewis]

Hi all. I'm a music teacher (violin/piano/composition/musicology) wanting to get better at teaching adult students (particularly beginners). Would you therefore mind writing your thoughts re: the below question so I can find ways of improving myself? Cheers!

If you had 15mins with a music education teacher/coach, what questions would you ask? (please try and be detailed here considering music not only as something to perform (instrumental/vocal) but also something for composing, listening and sharing at a cultural level (choose whatever options are relevant for you). Please also think about your own contact with music - maybe you sing in a choir, perform in a band, go actively to concerts, engage actively in discussions (like in this forum), are parents to children learning music, etc.etc.

Thanks again.

[Bob]

I would not mind learning to play the piano when I have the time. I would probably tell the instructor what my health problems are. I would be looking for encouragement. I would like to learn enough to entertain all the children in the family, even if I only learned enough to play easier songs. I think encouragement would go a long way. I think most folks will see their limitations or talents once they started with their lessons. I also feel that the instructor should be somebody I look forward to seeing otherwise I might look some place else for instruction. I am sure you will encounter many students who have little talent but still want to try to play an instrument, so a friendly encouraging and honest instructor is probably something needed by those students. I play a little guitar and would love to perform at a high level such as a concert performer in a band but I know my limitations. Long ago, I played in a church choir which was satisfying. I was happy to know enough, to do that. I hope this helps you, at least a little. ....Best wishes, Bob

[S.Lewis]

Thanks for this, Bob.

[jazzboCR]

Bob has given you excellent advice, especially being honest in assessment and encouragement--folks can sense when it's false or over-blown and won't trust you.
Recommend (and this is not a joke): the movie Whiplash. Follow J.K. Simmons character closely and do the exact opposite . He was dealing with advanced students but no matter; that bullying, that thuggery harms much more often than it helps at any level, especially at the beginning/junior level (brilliant movie though).

[jazzboCR]

If you identify students with genuine abllity AND a possible leaning towards jazz, point them to this excellent series: http://academy.jazz.org/ << uplifting for you too, natch.