Parent wants both SM and traditional
Found in: Other Methods, Playing-Based Methodology
Heidi M., Canada
Most people who inquire for lessons with me are not wanting the traditional approach, but this past week two mothers came to me who seem to want the best of both worlds – their child learns tons of songs and enjoys playing and has fun with it, but also learns notes not too far down the road (just a few months). I told them that I cannot do this, for the whole learning process and musicianship will come more easily by delaying reading until the first 30-50 songs are learned (or first several Foundation levels). I explained that this is how languages are learned effectively too (first talk for a while, then learn to read), but it seems hard for her to get it. The one mother still wants to come to an information session which I have agreed to, but I would like to know what other, more experienced, teachers here would say and/or do.
I know I need to be firm and let her know that if she wants the note reading for her daughter much sooner, then she can seek traditional lessons. If she signs up with me, then it will be the SM way with note reading at around a year depending on her daughter’s progress. But she told me that she does not like the “strict” traditional approach either. Any thoughts on what else to communicate to her that may help her feel more confident in the SM method?
Jeff O., Massachusetts
You’re the one who needs to feel confident. Say “I only know one way to teach. I know it works”. Then she gets to decide.
Stephen R., California
I’m not giving in to pressure about reading with new families any more. I would make sure all their questions, concerns, and doubts are answered up front either at the FIS or Foundation Session. They should know that you want long-term students (students that will be with you year after year ideally). I start Rhythm in Level 3, but how long will that take? It depends on the student or group. I make no guarantees that we will complete this reading program either if the students decides to stop lessons early. It is a long-term process. So since I begin that process in Level 3, it will be no sooner than 8-9 months down the road with most students. It’s delayed for a reason: to build a strong playing-based foundation, recognizing patterns, sentences, chord progressions, and shapes, and to build a musical vocabulary.
Students are sight-reading chords as early as Jackson Blues though.
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
I would acknowledge her concern about getting to note reading, because that’s the way it has been done for so long. However, you are not going to rush the process because you know this method is a more natural way to learn, your students enjoy success right away and feel motivated to continue, and she will have to trust you on this if she wants to enroll her child. If you speak confidently about it and just leave the decision to her, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Cheri S., Utah
In my experience, having taught traditionally, once we get through RR & RN, students enter sheet music at about the same level they would have if they’d spent all that time doing ONLY traditional. But along the way they’ve learned SO much more about music. I also talk with parents about how SM has enhanced my own ability to learn from sheet music.