Students Using Online Video Tutorials
Found in: About The Method, Online Learning, Other Methods, Playing-Based Methodology, Students with Prior Experience
Nancy N., New Hampshire
What is your approach with young people who come to you after teaching themselves with online videos? I’ve encountered several who will work for months to master one difficult piece like Bohemian Rhapsody or Moonlight Sonata, but they can’t play anything else. They can’t read music, don’t know chords, and sometimes they can’t put 5 over 5 because all they’ve only done broken octaves and big jazzy chords by rote. The problem is that the single thing they play sounds impressive to friends and parents. I feel that this creates an unrealistic desire to play only at an advanced level, yet they will never get there without acquiring the skills they lack, which will take discipline and time.
Ian B., Pennsylvania
I’ve actually got a new student like this. Starting any experienced student is very different from beginners, especially adults. I’ll let you know how it goes, but my plan is split assignments, expand his knowledge through SM curriculum and also have him actively continue working on a more advanced piece he started learning. He’s aware that I have a different approach and I’ve done my best to reach an alignment of goals. So we’ll see. It’s experimental territory for me a bit.
Nancy N., New Hampshire
Ian B. yes, part of my strategy is accepting that they will continue working on those favorite songs. Do you work with them on their outside projects while taking them through the SM curriculum? It’s great that we have the arrangements for these students.
Ian B., Pennsylvania
Nancy N. I will use their current project to:
1) Get a better idea of their current practice routine and approach to learning and
2) Begin introducing them to the SM approach to reading
The rest of their assignments will be a combo of lower level songs, arrangements, Accompaniment 1 and Comp & Improv to teach playing based strategies
Robin T., Australia
In general I don’t take them on unless they agree to go through the SMP curriculum from FL 1 with a reasonable level of enthusiasm and interest. This way the gaping holes in their experience and knowledge are addressed.
Bernadette A., California
I treat them like any other student coming in. But if they want to learn more songs on their own, they can and I’ll help them. We want to provide a broad-based foundation for our students through simply music. Otherwise, they’ll never move towards self-generation. That’s the goal,
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
I would have a conversation with them and be very clear about what to expect. For example:
– You’ve learned a few great songs but not any *skills* that can be applied elsewhere
– In SM you will be learning simple songs as a means of learning skills you can use forever in a variety of musical contexts
– They can learn songs from YouTube, but they must keep a strong playlist in order to be my student. I will help them with their YouTube songs, encouraging playing-based interpretations. It’s an opportunity to teach and reinforce those tools.
Original discussion started January 2, 2025