Teaching Philosophy
I love music. That is why I aspire to pass down the essence of music in all its forms to younger generations. It was this passion that drove me to become a music instructor. I also have a strong desire to see my students grow confidence in their abilities through the process of learning an instrument and experiencing the joy of accomplishment as they reach new levels of excellence. To become a successful piano instructor for young students, one needs to guide students with clear instructions, be a strong source of encouragement, be empathetic, make the lesson interesting, and be a living example for the students in his or her performing career.
The teacher should instruct the student with clear guidance. When instructing a private lesson, I will break down the technique into small steps, progressing from easy to hard, and pre-record the homework assignment so students can move confidently towards the goal. It is generally an ineffective use of time for one’s practice to solely become a mechanical exercise, as can happen when continually repeating the same passage. Students can become easily frustrated if they keep making the same mistakes. However, if the students are guided with detailed instructions, they will know how to practice efficiently and that will increase their confidence in learning.
To further develop the student’s potential, the teacher should be a strong source of encouragement as they learn new skills and music pieces. The teacher should listen and try to clarify any problems with the student as they arise. Often students are afraid of new challenges because they fail to understand how to apply the knowledge they currently have to a different topic. At this point, the teacher can work with the student to analyze the new topic and show the student that they already have the knowledge and tools needed to solve this problem.
Showing empathy to one’s students is also an important attribute for a skillful teacher. A teacher should maintain open communication with the student and their parents so the teacher can understand the student’s thoughts and needs. Having a heartfelt conversation with a student shows that the instructor cares about the student and helps to make the student more comfortable for the student to share his or her thoughts and concerns. Often this may be the key in developing a strong teacher-student relationship.
Interest in the lesson is the best teacher. Young students are often busy taking many after-school activities, so making the lesson as enjoyable as possible is another aspect of successful teaching. To help maintain student interest, a piano lesson can be divided into smaller, more-appropriate segments, such as music learning, technique training, music theory, and ear-training. Breaking lesions into these segments will not only help students gain a comprehensive understanding of music, but will also allow students to stay focused and interested.
Lastly, I believe that teachers should be examples for their students through ongoing engagement in music activities. By remaining active and sharp through performances, giving lectures at conferences, and publishing articles in professional journals, instructors demonstrate how they can be a positive role model for their students.
Through my journey studying music I have been able to develop the capacity to observe the smallest details and finish each project to the best of my ability. While not all of the students that I teach will go on to major in music, the good habits developed through learning music such as persistence, patience, detail-oriented, and the capability of handling multiple tasks at the same time, will stay with them and lead to success in the fields they choose.
