piano teacher as singing teacher at school

[pianowolfi]

I'm an experienced piano teacher and I play also severeal lessons as accompanist at a scool for singing and choir lessons. Now our music teacher takes a break for one year. He had asked me to replace him during this time. Few weeks ago I had several tryout lessons with the 2 classes (16 y old) I was supposed to teach. The first two lessons I seemed to do a good job. But the third one was awful. I had the impression that the pupils disliked very much what I did. They also began to muck about and chat and I tried to be strict with them and to keep my balance. Though after that the music teacher asked them and they were saying they would accept me. but then I had a fourth and a fifth lesson and It was again awful because I didn't have the impression of being taken serious. They had that mean grin on their faces...    I thought about it for several days and now decided not to continue. I sort of felt thrown myself into a total different job, like I was supposed to be a goldsmith or st. I can't manage either. I don't want to spend my time to force people to do st they don't want to do or at least don't accept from me. The music teacher could tell them everything to sing and they would do it, but not when I want them to. And I don't want to loose my good mood and inner balance with always thinking about unsuccessful singing lessons. I just think I have not the mental constitution for all that. What dou you think? Anyone made similar experiences?

[stevehopwood]

Lots of sympathy, pianowolfi.

Experienced class teachers have acquired an authority of bearing that allows them to control adolescent children. This takes some time to acquire; they had many months of difficult teaching at the start of their careers.

Those of us who spend our lives as private teachers do not meet the problem of mass child control.

Yes, you were thrown into a completely different job. With a year to work at it, you would probably learn classroom control eventually. It might take a while to achieve, though, and could make you extremely unhappy.

I think your decision not to continue is a sane one. Life is too short to expose yourself to that kind of pressure.

Steve 

[penguinlover]

I understand completely.  I am a substitute school teacher in our public schools in town, elementary through High School.  Teenagers are very fun, but very, very trying!  I see them at their worst because I am just sub.  Somehow, they think that a sub gives them the right not to pay attention and goof around.  I try not to be too authoritative, not too strict.  I always try to follow the teachers' rules, and be consistent with what I say.  In the music classes they give me more respect because I show them I know what I am talking about. Anyway, I feel your pain.  Getting out was probably a good thing for your nerves.

[pianowolfi]

Thanks, very interesting statements.

I think your decision not to continue is a sane one. Life is too short to expose yourself to that kind of pressure. Steve 

Yeah, I will have more energy to increase in piano teaching, prepare concerts, practise etc

[timothy42b]

Sink or swim is not how to learn to control a classroom.

Observing an experienced teacher, then getting the chance to do it while they observe and critique, would probably give you the skills in short order.  If you don't have that option I think I would run from this one as far as I could.  This is not an easy job. 

Oh.  Or you could rent Kindergarten Cop and watch it a few hundred times, probably that would do the trick. 

[pianowolfi]

Oh.  Or you could rent Kindergarten Cop and watch it a few hundred times, probably that would do the trick. 

 

I'm running, yes, but I  first had to try it out and then decide what to do. Without trying I would probably never have been able to make a clear decision.

[Bob]

Welcome to teaching public school.  Or private.  Large groups. 

Fun innit?   

It's a learned skill for those that don't have it naturally.  It can be very tricky though.  There is a certain finese and balance or strict or lenient, fixing things or moving on... all that.

Far, far, far from the traditional classical piano lesson.  You cover a lot less and they get it a lot less well (and some...  some never get it.  They will ask you questions at the wrong moments that point this out).

Good luck in whatever you do.  I can understand not continuing with it.


I can very much relate to everything you typed up there. 

I do think sink or swim is a way to learn.  One out of necessity though and not ideal.  Observation is great, but you have to have a testing ground for ideas (where they sink or swim) to see if those observed ideas work for you.

[ingagroznaya]

Bob was teaching at public school at some point? ( Ingazgornaya unzipped by such a revelation ). It's no wonder you have a such sense of humor. I could not understand where it's coming from.

[Bob]

( Ingazgornaya unzipped by such a revelation ).

?

(rasies eyebrow)

It's m1469, isn't it?  Or maybe pianissimo.

Grrr!  (Bob is annoyed again.)

[m1469]

?

(rasies eyebrow)

It's m1469, isn't it?  Or maybe pianissimo.

Grrr!  (Bob is annoyed again.)

Bob, what are you talking about ?  You are wondering if I am inga ? Nice try   

m1469 *not convinced*

[Bob]

Yes.   (also not convinced) 

I believe m1469 may be pretending to be a Russian piano teacher.   m1469 does this for fun and just to confuse me even more.

[pianistimo]

ahhh.  it's all coming full circle.  i tease mayla,m1469pounds me.  ingogroznya.  i asked my husband 'where is ingogroznya?'  or, maybe she meant 'in gogroznya.'  he said he never heard of the place.  so then, i thought - what a strange name.  oh well, it sounds russian anyway.  then, we find out this teacher suddenly goes off with a 'shy guy' student who suddenly transforms into a tempestuous fling and unprearranged fast marriage.  i hope they don't leave orphans behind.  oh well, it's not my business- but...i can't help just wondering...mayla...ingogroznya...bob...mozart sonata in F ...it's all coming together but i just don't know exactly how.   

[pianowolfi]

gulp??!!!!!!

[m1469]

*let's her pet chicken loose on the forum... pet chicken heads straight for Bob*

[pianowolfi]

Uh what a nasty huge chicken!! *Running away scared*

[ingagroznaya]

Pianowolfi, don't go! I just need to figure out how to add a picture here. It's all will be fine.
https://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ingagroznaya/detail?.dir=/846dscd&.dnm=7c7ascd.jpg&.src=ph

[Bob]

Don't worry m1469.  I will not tell anyone that you live on a multi-million dollar chicken ranching franchise and also play classical piano.   

[ingagroznaya]

m1469
https://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ingagroznaya/detail?.dir=/846dscd&.dnm=4c5bscd.jpg&.src=ph

[m1469]

Way to get Bernhard and a banana involved in this stev... I mean Bob.. I mean Nils... I mean Bernha... I mean xvim... I mean pianis... I mean "Inga".  Nice touch.


Anyway, why am I just some flower-eyed child with a leaf for a nose and a banana for a mouth ?  Or am I the clouds ?  Or maybe the group of chickens ?


m1469 *considering starting a clever new thread*



BTW, Bob, thanks for bringing something I discussed with you in private into the public arena without asking me first... that's classy 

[ingagroznaya]

Huge ugly chicken pet is m1469's husband?
What Bob said is hardly a secret, m1469. It's a reality. Without my former husband I would not be able to accomplish what I did 7 years ago. There is no reason to be upset.

[Bob]

My work here is done.  I thought m1469 would keep those chickens as pets though.

[ingagroznaya]

m1469 *considering starting a clever new thread*

Maybe m1469 should reconsider?
In any case, I hope it's not another "what if" thread. I've got overdosed by that sort of "clever" today, nearly puked. The stuff is scarier than nasty chicken. Jesus, how old is she? "Artistic" 11?

Pianowolfi, from what I understand, high school is very similar to this thread. One of my students is working as a full time substitute teacher at a local high school. I think the guy is a Superman. DON'T DO IT. Do not regret not taking the job. ( Bob gets annoyed too easily. My comment was a compliment. It's not a job for everyone. I would not be able to do it. One have to have some major balls or they *those kids* will eat you alive.)

Nuh, it's a husband, Bob. For sure. I've consulted three of my psychologists students ( I still have 3, who I have not yet fired.)  All confirmed. Chicken pet positively represents the husband in m1469's virtual life. Big ugly pet chicken... Weird.

Sorry, if it was a bit harsh. It was my Russian. Are there any Russian piano teachers forums out there? I would not want to upset anyone or a community as a whole.

[bernhard]

Pianowolfi, don't go! I just need to figure out how to add a picture here. It's all will be fine.
https://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ingagroznaya/detail?.dir=/846dscd&.dnm=7c7ascd.jpg&.src=ph

That was an amazing likeness. Drop the crown, add some hair and a pair of glasses and that´s me!

I am now (being a conspiracy theorist) wondering if m1469, Pianistimo, Inga and Bob are not the same person.

[pianistimo]

if that was the case, i'd have nothing to fear.  (fromm1469anyways)

[timothy42b]

if that was the case, i'd have nothing to fear.  (fromm1469anyways)

13 words.

Nope, that's not pianistimo, it's somebody pretending to be her. 

[ingagroznaya]

I have a similar suspicion.

[m1469]

I am now (being a conspiracy theorist) wondering if m1469, Pianistimo, Inga and Bob are not the same person.

You are exactly right !!  We are not  .  But then again, you already knew that  .

[penguinlover]

I know it's not hard, but now I am totally confused!  Guess I am too new to put two and two together and come up with the right answer.

[pianowolfi]

is that chicken still there? Or can I come back?