Looking for teaching materials...

[Bob]

... on motivating students.

... and examples of good teaching -- like a DVD or VHS tape.  Something "live" that way, not a book.

[pianonut]

haven't been to the bookstore just lately, but was impressed with the selection at jw pepper music awhile back.  their address is:  jw pepper, po box 850, valley forge, pa  19482-0850   i think this address is the main headquarters for the east coast.  610 648-0500

something i did for motivation was to tell the students what was expected for their level, gave them print-out of expectations weekly (and sometimes practice chart to write in time practiced) and then at the end of the month we added points and they got a prize.  for end of the year, they got award (signed).  you can order awards through pepper or presser's.

often times, when you do mini-recitals/parties in your home, you'll find students motivated by hearing each other.  somehow they feed off the reinforcement that another student is practicing too, and is at a lower/similar/or higher level.  going a step beyond that, it would probably be motivating to have them all go to a concert together sometime, too.     

[pianonut]

my teacher has let me borrow stuff from his personal library such as cd of scarlatti sonatas, and murray perahia on vhs.  it was eyeopening to me to see what artists my teacher appreciated.  the attention to detail.

west chester university has quite a music library, too.  they have dvd's and vhs's and cd's.  also, a HUGE library of records that they plan to copy to disk.   

[pianonut]

having fun is a great motivator, too.  not to brag too much again about wcu...but the teachers there are great and i've witnessed several 'in-good-fun' duets.  they help with sightreading, and playing in time together.