Parents taking extra notes
Found in: Arrangements & Variations, Claiming Territory, Coaches, Student Management
Sherrie A., California
I discovered a parent taking extra notes in her own notebook. I have two of her kids. One is older and takes his own notes, so in her notebook she took notes on the arrangement for herself only. She promised it was only for her and she would not let her son use the notes. It caught me off guard at the end of the lesson and I wasn’t prepared for that scenario.
The other issue is with kids that can’t read. The parents want to take extra notes based on things I’m explaining, like maybe tips on helping the kid slow down while practicing. If parents feel like they need to write extra notes, maybe I’m the problem? Maybe I need to give more in the notes? Maybe I need to do more demonstrations of how to practice so it’s clear without extra notes? Maybe I just need to talk less! The kids that can’t read don’t even use them, just the parents, so the theory behind less notes doesn’t apply other than to develop the habit. Any thoughts?
Rochelle G., California
Your situation brings up the question if we expect the parents to be paying enough attention that they remember how to play the arrangements in order to help their children. Or do we just want the parents’ moral support for arrangements, and expect the children to remember everything? I have stopped parents from taking notes regarding arrangements before. I told them I do expect the children to remember what I teach and if they don’t, that’s okay–we will go over it the next week. Or they can call a classmate or even myself if they need a memory jogger during the week. No one’s ever called me.
I also reminded them that arrangements need to be practiced immediately so they don’t forget what they learned in class. If they don’t practice it right away or throughout the week, then they’re not going to remember. So it brings up the conversation of good practice habits at home. I recently told a class that if they didn’t come back the next week with this arrangement learned, that we were not moving forward with Foundation. That sped things up and helped their memories quite a bit!
Kerry V., Australia
You are not necessarily the problem. Adults tend to believe that they ‘can’t remember’ for various reasons. Because of this belief, they think writing down notes is the only way to help. When they do this, as week or so later I ask them to explain to me what the notes mean. They haven’t a clue. My argument rested! They then stop writing, if they haven’t done so already.
Leeanne I., Australia
I agree with Kerry. I have a terrible memory myself so I know note taking doesn’t help. Every time you teach an arrangement or variation, reiterate that it is brain training as well as learning to play a song.