asking why

I want to share something I’ve been reflecting on as a teacher — not as a criticism of traditional classical training, but as an explanation of why I choose to teach the way I do. Traditional classical music education has given the world incredible discipline,…

• Last updated 3 months ago
• active listening, asking why, benefits, casual performance, classical, classically trained, cognitive understanding, communicating benefits, comparing traditional to Simply Music, competing methods, confidence as a student, creativity, developing creativity, different facets of musicianship, engage, enjoying the process, informal performance, keeping children engaged, keeping students engaged, listen, listening, method, method comparisons, methodology, methods, music as a lifelong companion, musicianship, natural musicianship, other methods, performance, performing, performing in front of others, playing-based, public performances, reading-based, SM vs traditional, tradition lessons, traditional, traditional background, traditional experience, traditional lessons, traditional studio, traditionally trained, training, training students, trust the method, trust the process, trusting the method, trusting the process, trusting the program, well rounded musician

I have a student, age 62 but physically and mentally more like 82.  I met her at a church women’s retreat in January. She found out I teach piano and was very excited. She’s always wanted to play piano and had recently purchased a piano…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• adult, adult students, asking why, bad memory, claiming territory, letting students go, not following instructions