How often have you been right (...)

[m1469]

About the potential of your students ?

I am just curious.  I am only about 5 official years into teaching, so I have not yet had the chance to really see some of my kids blossom into pianists as adults -- I will admit, I am looking forward to this if/when it ever happens.  I have never had an adult have a complete transformation, either -- but I hope this will happen someday.

Anyway, I am just curious how it is for some people on here, who may indeed have had the chance to witness a student bloom into something you always suspected they could be ?

Even if you do not consider yourself a "piano teacher" but you occasionally help people out  .


Thanks,
m1469

[pianistimo]

every so many years - our family moves.  this has upset me and my students.  usually i feel this sort of connection with them and feel terribly bad about leaving.  but, in actuality - it is probably good for both of us.  having the same teacher too long could actually be detrimental.  (no jokes please) 

what i find 'right' - is not so much what i think their potential is - but their attitude.  if you have a student with a high potential and bad attitude...they might not practice as hard as a student with lower 'potential' and a good attitude.  i can't say that i've had any terrible attitude students - but some think they're all that at first (until they learn some things take time and practice and there's no way to get around it). 

surprisingly, adults are usually the ones that you have to keep encouraging and saying 'don't worry - you'll get it.'  i've had some adults that make me laugh so much.  they don't believe in themselves and you literally have to say 'you can do it.'  i had one lady back where i used to live that seemed to thrive on piano lessons.  a portion of the lesson was encouraging her.  she had this determined way about her once she got going.

[Bob]

It's hard to tell. 

I can kind of tell the ones that will quit.  The ones that just kind of drag along.

But the others, I'm not sure of.  I had one that was "ok" and did her practicing, but I never thought "Wow! She's going to be good."  She moved on.  I heard in high school now she's doing a lot of music things and is growing a lot as a musican.  It's nice to know I did my part, or what I could, in the time I taught her.

I have had a few beginners who did their practicing and their parents were very supportive.  I only had those kids for awhile but I imagine they have gotten a lot better.  I just haven't heard about it.  Those were the ones who came to every lesson and did everything I asked.  It made me wonder if the parents were pushing them.  Or if their home environment had music in it all the time so they had that type of support -- music around, musicians in the family.

So I can never really tell and I'll never know what my impact is or was.  I just do my best and try to get them to improve while they're with me.

[stevehopwood]

About the potential of your students ?

I am just curious.  I am only about 5 official years into teaching, so I have not yet had the chance to really see some of my kids blossom into pianists as adults -- I will admit, I am looking forward to this if/when it ever happens.

It will happen, m1469. It will not happen often.

Kids that blossom into pianists as adults become professional musicians, in my experience - perhaps 15 throughout my 35 year career. They all gain most of their living from teaching. One is an international competition prize-winner; even he earns more from teaching (granted at the RNCM) than he does from performing.

 

[arensky]

I have had nine students who I feel have had the potential to be truly great at music and the piano and worked hard at it while studying with me. Out of those nine two are actively playing at a high level. Two others who are determined to be musicians are having a rough time of it, they are erratic and undisciplined, among other things. I'm not sure about the other five but I'm pretty sure that three of them will always play and compose for their own pleasure. I guess I'm not doing too badly.

[desordre]

 Dear m1469:
 I think you made a twofold question. Would you let me reask it? So...

 How often I was right about my students' potentials?
 How often they get there?

 This is my twelfth year as a teacher, and from the very beggining I had the opportunity (as well as the luck) of working with very good pupils (of course, these were always a small percentage of the whole, but life is not perfect ). However, I'm talking about some 30 students that I thought that had real potential to make something out of it. But, as they  made their lifes, sometimes the music was not the priority, and then... you know how the story is. Until now, although I'm not sure ('cause I lost contact with many of them), I know that four are walking the great path, working with music in some way.

 Why I'm talking about this? I think it's natural to ourselves, when we dedicate our heart and soul to teaching, to look forward for "concrete results". It's so extimulating when you notice that a boy/girl have a natural gift, and can explore this with your help, that we sometimes create some great expecations about this someone. But remember that your influence and meaning on every kid's life is far beyond the fact that they will or not make something playing.

 I agree with Steve: it will happen.

 I also agree with Pianistimo about the attitude issue, but must add that only a talented student with a high degree with dedication can do it. However, there are several other things in this chemistry: parents, mates, money, patience...well, you know the fight  .

 Finally, there is not a single drop of bitterness in my words. Do your best, as a musician, teacher and person, and the results will follow. Just have the wisdom to measure them by themselves, not by what you expected.

 Sorry for my written english, because this time what I wanted to say went far beyond my knowledge of the language. I hope you understand!
 Best wishes!
 

[Bob]

Part of teaching is never knowing what the students end up doing, whether they benefited from you or not.  You can a know about a few, but don't know how all of them turn out.