Transfer student advice

[maryruth]

I have a new transfer student (4 years of lessons, age 11) who's just starting level 3 of Faber--he's actually got great technique and can read notes okay...I actually think Faber is too easy.  He loves fast songs, but he doesn't like to practice anything SLOW to solidify correct fingering before blasting off--so, of course, fingering can be ridiculously inconsistent and illogical.

In an attempt to perhaps force the issue of correct fingering and slow practice I assigned "Clementi's Op 36 No 1" and Burgmuller "L'arabesque", both of which will make fine use of his fast little fingers, but which will require a certain about of correct fingering to pull off (particularly the Clementi).

He also doesn't like to put hands together (which also requires slow practice at the very beginning)....It's just a little frustrating.   I guess mainly I hate to see this kids good technique get "wasted" on all fluff....I just need patience, I guess....not all kids want to practice as obsessively as I did when young......

[abell88]

Hmm...does he like science, by any chance? You could offer him the chance to do an experiment: he learns piece A your way and piece B his way; compare results after 1, 2 and 4 weeks, for instance.  Of course, this presupposes some patience and cooperation on his part...