Moving Students to Higher Level
Found in: Accompaniment, Arrangements & Variations, Scheduling, Shared Lessons
Shelly E., Utah
How do you move a student up to a class in a higher level if that class has already started a special program that the student you want to move is not ready for? For instance, I have a student who needs, wants and can move much faster than the class he’s currently in. He’s in level 2 and I have a class I could move him into that is in level 3. However, they are quite a bit further in the accompaniment program (almost to Scarborough Fair) but this student has only just begun the accompaniment program is only on Amazing Grace in D. Any ideas of how I could move him up? Would he also just have to miss out on some of the arrangements and variations that the more advanced class has already learned?
Nicole O., California
I’ve moved students into classes that were ahead of them, but with the understanding that they were going to have extra work to do at home. If they agree to the extra work, then I map out a plan. The plan outlines what will be covered in class and what the student will need to do at home. I don’t give this to the student, I simply refer to it to keep me on track.
For the students that already know the variation, arrangement, or accompaniment, I ask them to help me teach the song. They love doing this and it doesn’t take much time in the lesson.
Kerry V., Australia
Definitely have the level 3 students explain and teach the accomps. to the new student. (Always with your guidance of course!) this tells you how much these students do know or not know. Teaching others is always a great way to learn, helps the students to connect with each other and this can give confidence to the new student.
Carrie L., Michigan
I would just have them do the accompaniment piece that is appropriate for that student and the other students continue on theirs… it won’t take much of the lesson time and the other students can help him learn it.
I’d just add the arr. and var. as you go.