Students progressing at different paces
Found in: Shared Lessons
Heidi M., Canada
In my first ever shared lesson group (all adults), I am realizing that two of the students are learning considerably faster than the other, although the other one is very enthusiastic and practices a lot. I have slowed the pace of the class down and let the faster two do more variations and a bit of improv so the other could hopefully still learn the basic songs and not get discouraged. I also remind them all to be positive and not criticize themselves, because it will affect their progress. She is making progress, but so slowly that I am thinking of switching her into private lessons at at least asking her if she would like to try one private lesson to supplement the shared lesson to help resolve any difficulties. She feels easily discouraged so I need to be very wise and sensitive how I talk with her about it, but I see so much potential in her and she just loves music and the piano. Unfortunately I don’t have enough shared lesson groups to switch her into another one at this point.
Stephen R., California
I separated a shared lesson of two this week. They had been together for more than two months, but were progressing at two very different speeds. It was a difficult decision to make, but it clearly wasn’t a match.
My advice for next time is to do better assessments from the beginning in terms of matching students. Even hear them play one or two things so you know how to evaluate their playing ability. Just because students say they are beginners or haven’t had lessons before is not enough of an assessment when matching students up. I was doing the same thing as you, giving the faster student more arrangements, etc, but it wasn’t enough.
Sometimes I wonder if students are actually processing things more slowly or are just not working on it as hard. Maybe a combination of both for some students.
Heidi M., Canada
The “slower” one apparently is practicing a lot. But whatever the reason may be, I am thinking this shared lesson is not the right place for her. Not easy because by now everyone in the group has come to enjoy and appreciate each others’ company in the lesson. But I need to make the right decision for her and for everybody. And next time being more careful in matching students in a group.
Stephen R., California
I teach another couple and the wife is faster than the husband. They have been together for years, but she is really patient. In this case they are two related students, so it works more easily. I haven’t done too many shared, but basically they have been matches in terms of speed. If a student is fast and another is slow, it will always be that way and there will be an ongoing juggling act to keep the faster student satisfied. After a while it can be frustrating in a shared setting when a slower student is eating up the lesson time. It’s just not fair to the other students and they shouldn’t be together.
We, as SM teachers, offer something unique, because unlike classes in school we don’t give grades. This is a voluntary activity. We have to make these judgment calls as teachers and it’s not always easy. As long as we are thinking of the best long-term interests of the students at hand and they are in agreement, then it’s a win situation all around.