whats the most annoying thing to a teacher?

[pianogrl815]

Im a student, and I was just wondering what you guys hate.
ps. not so I can do it, so I can be sure Im NOT doing it! lol

[whynot]

That would have to be consistent non-practicing, or under-practicing.  Nothing else ever bothers me.

[gruffalo]

im not a teacher, but.. farting? 

[pianistimo]

you know, i've never had a student that did that.  and, mind you, when you're with a good teacher (and good looking) you really try hard not to do that.  but, once i was tempted to put a woopie cushion under my teacher - as he rushed to the bench to demonstrate.  i don't know what the result would have been.  probably he would think at 40+ i wouldn't be acting like a 7th grader.

another annoying thing.  hmmm. probably nodding like you understand everything - and when they get to the last point and ask the really hard question - you don't know the answer.  so they have to say something like 'did you listen to the last 3 minutes of what i was saying?'

i try very hard to listen - but sometimes get sidetracked by bird calls/whistles, etc. outside the window.  i suppose if i was completely honest, i would say 'can you close that window.'  also, dust irritates my nose.  when i play a piano with even a slight bit of dust on the inside, i start sneezing.  this sets off a chain reaction (watery eyes).  look for kleenex.  this is probably annoying, too.

[pianistimo]

i once had a student that after a minute of talking would actually play a few notes at the top of the piano (thinking that was ok) while i was trying to explain something.  it was then- that i decided to tell him it wasn't ok.  it was also then that i decided not to talk so much during lessons and just get on with things.  students tend to like that better when they are younger.  a lot of blabbing usually doesn't get you very far with younger student.  more playing!

but, with older students - the explainations really help.  i would say i really really try to listen to everything that is said.  and process it.  once i brought a tape recorder.  is that being a good student?

[Bob]

Yes, BO or bad breath can be annoying. 

The idea that the student is sick and is touching the keys the teacher may have to touch.

Students who insist they are right, esp when they are wrong.  Or this -- "My mom told me...."  "My last teacher told me..."

Students who blame the teacher for things.  Some of course and ultimately are the teacher's fault, but there is only so much you can do in a lesson.

Students who demand things.  "It's your fault I can't do this!"

Students or families that want to switch lessons a lot.

Students or families that don't pay on time, esp when they string you along, "Oh, I'll pay you next time," and then say the same thing next time.  I hate feeling like I should bring up the policies that they have already agreed to.

Or when a student doesn't pay at all.

Students who ignored me and just start playing. 

[gruffalo]

yea, i generally make sure that when im out of the house that ive showered and stuff but i take extra care when going to do private lessons because i have had awful experiences (not teaching i dont teach) of having to hang around smelly people.

anyway, im told i dont have a BO problem.

i just dont think its fair on other people to smell.

[lau]

im not a teacher, but.. farting?

One time when I had a lesson I farted 10 times in a row. My teacher asked me if I had to use the bathroom.

Another time my teachers dog was next to the piano and it farted. It was maybe the worst smell I ever smelled. We both said nothing and continued as if nothing happened

[arensky]

One time when I had a lesson I farted 10 times in a row. My teacher asked me if I had to use the bathroom.

Another time my teachers dog was next to the piano and it farted. It was maybe the worst smell I ever smelled. We both said nothing and continued as if nothing happened

ROTFFLOL!!!!!!! 

Time for a new brand of dog food........ 

[gorbee natcase]

I suppose you know you are not doing very well when the dog can howl the tune you are playing better than you can play it

[cora]

Students who fire off questions really quickly like a drill sergeant or who don't feel anything or say anything because they're too passive or unschooled in social graces can annoy me. Also students who fail to thank me for the lesson. When I thank them, they say "no problem" instead of returning a thank you. Also students who kick their shoes off and leave them blocking the entrance for the next student.

[verywellmister]

Students who play with crude, up-down, robotic hands (u no wut i mean).

[Bob]

Students who start playing when I'm talking.  I don't know what they think exactly.  That they can go back and make it right.  Maybe for themselves.  I'm usually explaining something that I know they're not doing and that's when they do it sometimes.  I know they missed a note, but I'm not talking about that. 

Which brings up... students that aren't focused on the lesson.  It's annoying when I have to constantly reign them back in and keep them on topic.  Take that student who plays when I talk.  If I let them continue playing, they will.  Then we get nothing done and that affects me since I didn't teach them much.


Students who cough or wipe their nose and then touch the keys.  Yuck!

[Jacey1973]

My teacher has only been disappointed in me once - when i didnt practise as much as usual one week.

He wasnt angry, he just sounded irritated and disappointed which was an even worse reaction.

It was enough to make me never turn up under prepared ever again!

[luvslive]

i'm so glad this question got asked!  here's my list of things that bug me when i'm teaching:
1. student stares past my face out the window behind me as i am talking...so that i have to actually ask what is so interesting out there!
2.  student pretends not to hear me when i ask a question or ask them to start at specific measure...just say "i don't know" or something!
3. stinky student feet..just keep your shoes on!
4. forgetting books, notebook, your sense of curiosity for music..
5. hacking cough, refusing water..
6. continually asking to move on to next song even though you are unprepared to do so, this mostly applies to the wee little students who are racing to the finish line
7. like someone said earlier, arguing with me over something that i know is right..for example refusing to use good fingerings, or pedalling incorrectly..
8. when students close the book while i am still talking about the piece (bob, we must have the same students..)
9. saying "oh that was easy" when they really played it poorly
10. demanding a sticker at the end of the lesson..that is for me to decide kid!
i'm sure i'll come up with more later..ha!  i actually really enjoy most of my students, but there are some days/students that really irk me.

[Bob]

Yes, attitude and demands are probably the most annoying.  I have one student, a beginner, who has developed an ego about their playing.  They practice and make progress but the kid thinks they are god now.  So then they don't practice (because they are THAT good )  When they make a mistake, they deny it.  When I point it out to them, they start making excuses. 

I'm not quite sure what to do about the kid.  The student is better than many of my other students and better than their siblings.  To me it seems like they are setting themselves up for disappointment in the future.  I think it may just be a phase though.

This is also why I've added a small shovel to my teaching kit. 

[arensky]

Yes, attitude and demands are probably the most annoying.  I have one student, a beginner, who has developed an ego about their playing.  They practice and make progress but the kid thinks they are god now.  So then they don't practice (because they are THAT good )  When they make a mistake, they deny it.  When I point it out to them, they start making excuses. 

I'm not quite sure what to do about the kid.  The student is better than many of my other students and better than their siblings.  To me it seems like they are setting themselves up for disappointment in the future.  I think it may just be a phase though.

This is also why I've added a small shovel to my teaching kit. 

Play him some recordings, Horowitz, Cziffra Lang Lang hamelin etc. playing REALLY hard flashy stuff; then tell them when they can play like that they can have an attitude. And if they are really good then they will rise to the challenge, and practice harder. Show this kid the mountain; let it decide if it wants to climb...

[Bob]

This goes beyond just annoying to insulting.  When a student does something obnoxious and then just sits there and says "Huh?" when you call them on it, like they don't understand that they did something wrong and don't understand why you are angry about it.

And not just a plain "huh?" but an obnoxious "huh?" too. 

[timothy42b]

This goes beyond just annoying to insulting.  When a student does something obnoxious and then just sits there and says "Huh?" when you call them on it, like they don't understand that they did something wrong and don't understand why you are angry about it.

And not just a plain "huh?" but an obnoxious "huh?" too. 

I understand why you would call them on it, discipline them for it, and if necessary dismiss them and find another student for their time slot.  Not all students are ready or suited for piano lessons, though there are ways to work with most of them if you have some reason to suffer through it <g>.

I don't understand being angry with them.  It seems unprofessional and generally counterproductive - rarely produces the right decisions about how to deal with them.  Not trying to be critical of you, but we shouldn't consider becoming angry a normal or routine thing.  In most cases it is fairly easy to avoid doing so.  In the cases where they just know how to push your buttons, you have a great opportunity to learn how not to let them - or you should dump them quickly. 

[rc]

Is it still acceptable to smack kids in the face?

[debussy symbolism]

Is it still acceptable to smack kids in the face?

I believe that a certain member of this forum(that was banned) would agree. However no smacking isn't helpfull at all I believe.

[timothy42b]

I believe that a certain member of this forum(that was banned) would agree. However no smacking isn't helpfull at all I believe.

There is smacking with anger and smacking without.

As with earlier comment, I oppose smacking in an angry mood.  But then, I oppose withholding gold stars in an angry mood, too.  This garbage of anger being a good thing started with the pop psychology movement about 20 years ago and has caused untold harm.  It is complete and utter BS, and fairly easy to do without. 

I can't recommend smacking without anger either, but I suppose theoretically there could be a circumstance out there somewhere where it would make sense.  I doubt anybody here works in a setting where this is likely. 

[rc]

oh, hahah, I should have put a smiley or something because I wasn't serious about smacking. Physical violence has no place with children.

I think anger can be useful on occasion, so long as it's controlled (easier said than done)... A very effective way to get your point across where all else has failed. Possibly moreso for setting boundaries for interpersonal relations, I'm not sure of a useful time to use anger in teaching.

[debussy symbolism]

Of course hitting of any kind isn't acceptable. Same applies for anger in a non hitting way. It will only discourage the student and cause bad tension.

[rc]

Of course hitting of any kind isn't acceptable. Same applies for anger in a non hitting way. It will only discourage the student and cause bad tension.

Agreed.

Though, I could see how some children could be very anger-inducing to a teacher. Unless you're a machine, anger does happen. Possibly the child could use a small lesson in how not to irritate a teacher?

Wow, being a teacher must be a very tricky task!

[Bob]

Anger can be effective in bringing some of those rabblerousers back in line.

[leahcim]

This garbage of anger being a good thing started with the pop psychology movement about 20 years ago and has caused untold harm.  It is complete and utter BS, and fairly easy to do without.

You sound quite angry about it

[timothy42b]

Unless you're a machine, anger does happen.

Not really.

Anger doesn't happen TO you.

You decide to get angry. 

With a little effort and awareness you can know why and break the cycle.  There are a number of techniques that work very well.  RET for example can be very successful. 

[rc]

Not really.

Anger doesn't happen TO you.

You decide to get angry. 

With a little effort and awareness you can know why and break the cycle.  There are a number of techniques that work very well.  RET for example can be very successful. 

I'm not convinced. Have you ever been caught off guard by someone who was deliberately trying to upset you? Or even just been irate from lack of sleep or some other circumstance? Sometimes there just isn't time to think about it before one is already angry. At best one would walk away.

In defense of anger as a choice, I can think of a few situations where I've deliberately used anger. I still think it was a good choice.

What's RET?

Anything like "SERENITY NOW!!!"?

 

[Bob]

I think anger has its place and can be useful.  Not necessarily in teacing, just in general.  Anger gets things done sometimes.

[timothy42b]

I think anger has its place and can be useful.  Not necessarily in teacing, just in general.  Anger gets things done sometimes.

Anger is a reaction.

It's like playing chess and being in check.  Your options become limited.

Since you can choose not to react that way, why not do so?  Your perceptions and judgement improve vastly.

You can in some circumstances be very effective by pretending to be angry.  If, that is, you are calm enough to correctly analyze and determine that is the best approach.

RET is simply a cognitive approach that has been quite effective for some people.  It is an acronym for Rational Emotive Therapy and was the brainchild of Albert Ellis.  It is pretty mainstream, nothing touchy feely or new wavey about it.   

[rc]

I had a feeling we might be having semantic troubles... It seems like when you say anger you're thinking of an out of control rage.

To me, anger is the response when someone does something you don't like, to varying degrees. To me, it's fairly automatic, someone cuts me off in traffic I will immediately get a little angry, from there I can think it over and decide to 'just chill'. I really can't see how it's something you could just get rid of.

[Bob]

My anger got somethings done today and yesterday.  I find it can be useful.  There is usually a very good reason for it and sometimes it will prompt you for correcting the situation.  When a student ditches a lesson, you get angry and you figure out exactly what you will and will not put up with.

I suppose communication is another annoying area for teachers.  When a student or parent simply change their plans and expects you to go along with it, esp at the last moment.  Very annoying.

[kelly_kelly]

Is it still acceptable to smack kids in the face?

Is it acceptable to smack teachers in the face? After all, we're the ones paying...

[Bob]

Not all of them are paying students.

[lostinidlewonder]

When I sit down with every student I ask,
"So how has your piano been?" Without even waiting for a response I can see in their body language if they have practiced or not. Then I hear them say,
"I did practice, a bit."
"What is a bit?"
"Oh I did 1 hour before the lesson today."
*I slap my forehead.

I think being patient is the hardest thing. When I teach beginners I have to be supremely patient. Uneveness of fingering in a simple scale or weakness of fingers while changing chords, these annoying but constant problems that face young beginners is a real test of my patients because to ME it is the most simplest thing in the world.

What really frustrates me though is when a student forgets how to play a piece that we practiced very hard on. I quickly abandon everything we are doing and try to patch it up again because afterall it is only a few notes which block the memory, not every single note. But it will become every single note the longer you let them have these memory lapses. This is like musical cancer in my mind, don't just forget about it, take actions to deal with it immediately.

Driving an hour to get to a students house for a lesson, then they ring you up 5 minutes before you reach their place, "Oh sorry we can't make the lesson today... followed by an excuse." Sometimes the excuse is perfectly alright, I had one student who fell and broke her arm as soon as I walked into the door! I wouldn't get angry because of that, but sometimes they say things like, oh there is a school meeting or some other meeting which I forgot about. Yeah nice, you could have told me before I make the trip! And damn fuel prices, its not like I enjoy giving money to petrol stations.

Parents which sit down and observe lessons, and make constant comments to me or their kids while I teach. This is fine if I have a lot of time to spare because I can stop and chat with the parents and then continue the lesson, but it is a big disruption. It is really bad when they start saying, "Come on! Focus!" Things which are supposed to make the children work harder but which of course do the opposite and annoy and irritate. Kids never like to be told what to do by parents in front of other people. Trying to teach musical details to an annoyed kid is impossible. I try to over praise the student when the talkative parent is there, more to shock the parents that their kid is doing it right, also to motivate the student to think, yeah see mum/dad I am doing it right, the teacher even says so, so stop annoying me.

[timothy42b]

My anger got somethings done today and yesterday.  I find it can be useful.  There is usually a very good reason for it and sometimes it will prompt you for correcting the situation.  When a student ditches a lesson, you get angry and you figure out exactly what you will and will not put up with.

I suppose communication is another annoying area for teachers.  When a student or parent simply change their plans and expects you to go along with it, esp at the last moment.  Very annoying.

But, but.............(honestly mystified)

I wouldn't tolerate ditching lessons or changing plans because of my professionalism, not my anger. 

Do you tolerate it when you're not angry, but forbid it when you're having a bad day?  How's the child supposed to figure you out? 

I just don't see any relation between letting yourself get angry and running your business by some reasonable rules.  Two separate subjects.  My observation is that more often than not getting angry PREVENTS running by reasonable rules than helps, but of course that varies somewhat. 

And no, I'm not defining anger as rage.  There's a continuum, but even the lower end interferes more than you'd expect with your effectiveness. 

[Bob]

The policies are fine and mine stay the same.

It's just when I am angry there is a reason for it.  And that anger can be directed toward a project to result in intense work.  Crossing a project off the To Do list can be a great stress reliever.

[luvslive]

i've got another annoying thing students (and parents) do!  i love reading others replies as well, it is good to vent.
-decide they are going to take up guitar (or flute or harp or whatever) when they already struggle to practice the one or two instruments they currently play.  parents should really insist that they meet a certain practice standard with one instrument before they add another to the mix.  even more obnoxious is the retort "but i will like playing the guitar so i will practice more"..how do you know!?!

[Bob]

Yes, I forgot about that.

And the student that thinks they have mastered the instrument and want to move on to another and another.

[pianowelsh]

Teaching a student who is being made to study piano and has no interest and actually rather loathes the instrument.  Conseqences tend to be lack of concentration in the lesson and little or No practice which can get a little vexing over a period of time.

[Bob]

A student who farts on purprose to get at you the teacher.  Yes, farts I said.  Pretty pathetic but still a bit annoying.

[balkanshpe]

The most annoying thing to a teacher??

OTHER PIANO TEACHERS WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE DOING