Some random thoughts

[amanfang]

1.  It is interesting to me what parents perceive as being a "good teacher."  Like "Any teacher worth his/her salt will start every lesson with scales."  Yeah whatever.

2.  The thing I dislike about pedagogy courses is the lesson plan.  Not that it's a bad idea to think through how to teach or present some things, but because the dynamics of the lesson depend so much on what the student did in practice that week, I find it to be a waste of time a lot. 

3.  I wish I could sight-read perfectly.   

[astroboy]

in regards to your 2nd point, i do kinda agree with you.. perhaps maybe think more broadly and plan what you would like to have them achieve in the next month, in the next 6 months, and in the next year, instead of just what is gonna happen in the next lesson.. i hope that made sense.. im tired.

and i wish i could sight read perfectly also.. i have this friend who is majoring in clarinet performance, yet he can sightread perfectly on the piano.. it's so depressing, piano is my main instrument and i cant even do that!! argh

[pianistimo]

'most' parents haven't a clue what a 'good teacher' is - do they?  especially if they are only looking for scales or what other people tell them to look for.  if you sit down with them and explain your method - i can't see why they couldn't easily be persuaded that your method was equally valid. 

to do this the most efficiently - would be to have several of your other students play in recital and invite these newer parents.  the true test of a teacher's worth is how their students actually play.  why would a parent go on hearsay alone? 

about sightreading - it's never too late.  join a choir - become an accompanist.  it forces you to play new music every day and to try to be as precise as possible with the parts.  sometimes i'd write the parts out - because i have a hard time seeing all the lines at the same time.  anyways - you become familiar with how to 'scan' music.  you scan it like a copy machine and then spit it out (hopefully with no rhythm errors or melodic/harmonic blunders).  also, i try to put some musicality in it the first time around by noting the crescendos and descrescendos and dynamics here and there.  i try to follow the words and intensity.

the good thing about studying different pedagogy options is that you are never stuck with only one option.  you can combine them or add some stuff of your own.  they're not set in stone.  only there to guide and help you.

 

[amanfang]

Yes, I do make goals for my students - both long term and short term goals.  It's just those pesky weekly lesson plans.

[thalberg]

1.  It is interesting to me what parents perceive as being a "good teacher."  Like "Any teacher worth his/her salt will start every lesson with scales."  Yeah whatever.

2.  The thing I dislike about pedagogy courses is the lesson plan.  Not that it's a bad idea to think through how to teach or present some things, but because the dynamics of the lesson depend so much on what the student did in practice that week, I find it to be a waste of time a lot. 

3.  I wish I could sight-read perfectly.   

1.  Hmmm I have never had parents tell me anything like that.  But parents are indeed quite stupid.  I remember some parents heard a student play Schuberg Gb Impromptu way under tempo--but still beautiful--and they asked me if hearing that student made me feel intimidated.  I was flabberghasted.

2.  You have my sympathy.  The main thing about school that wore me down was what I like to call "hoop jumping."  I felt like a trained animal practicing obedience just to get through school.

3.  Me too!!  Wouldn't that be so incredibly handy?