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Topic: The dog ate my music  (Read 2486 times)

Offline surendipity

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The dog ate my music
on: June 22, 2004, 08:02:29 AM
But this time the dog did eat the music...
You should have seen it.

Students are people with lives..... they are human beings with lives...............

You are not their creator
You are not their god
You are not their jailer
You are not their judge

You are their teacher

Which gets down to one question....

What is it that you teach..................

Past the notes, past the black and white
Past the cords the fugues...................

What is it you teach


I have a student who has been comming for lessons for two years.   She plays one song now.
She plays it very well now.

She is proud, her mom is proud, I am proud.......

Things are good for her.......................................



It was about 3 months into lessons with this 14 year old girl that I recieved a call from her mother.
She was not calling about music, not about missed practice, missed notes, missed lessons....................
She was calling about what was gained.
Her daughter, a shy, reserved child was open, talking, sharing and laughing, she even had a date to a movie.

You see, you don't teach to produce music from a student, you teach to produce music within the student.

She will continue with me until she looks at me and says "Gee, it's been fun, but I really don't think I want to play the piano right now"

Then I'll know that she's ok.  That she's ready to take on other adventures. And she's ready to know when to quit something.

I've given her a voice and that's the best music to my ears.

Having the title "teacher"  means nothing......

Living your life with the best intentions for all and the desire to learn and share your knowledge with great joy is not teaching it is a vocation.  


Luke has not spoken to anyone but his parents scince he could talk.  His mother warned me countless times before his first lesson.
When Luke showed up for lesson, I nodded and pointed and just played a note and smiled and nodded and he played the same note.
That went on for oh..... about 2 weeks......

It was actually a wonderful interaction of musical silence

Luke said the first word, and now Luke can't stop talking.  His mother is happier, Luke is a great conversationalist and young pianist.  And well, I thank Luke every lesson that he shared such great stories.
"I am honored to know you Luke, you're pretty amazing"
And well......He is!

I guess I really enjoy the great things in people.
Even the fasinating excuses.......... I've borrowed some of them myself.

They all play music, they all aren't great.
But they don't really care, I like that alot.

Surendipity
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Offline kulahola

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Re: The dog ate my music
Reply #1 on: June 22, 2004, 11:06:11 AM
what does this have to do with the subject of the forum ?
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Offline monk

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Re: The dog ate my music
Reply #2 on: June 22, 2004, 11:54:10 AM
Kulahola, you are not allowed to talk!

This was a dumb question!

Continue practicing instead!

Best Wishes,
Monk

(See thread "How do you answer stupid parent's questions")
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Offline bernhard

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Re: The dog ate my music
Reply #3 on: June 22, 2004, 01:37:49 PM
Quote
Kulahola, you are not allowed to talk!

This was a dumb question!

Continue practicing instead!

Best Wishes,
Monk

(See thread "How do you answer stupid parent's questions")


;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side. (Hunter Thompson)

Spatula

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Re: The dog ate my music
Reply #4 on: June 23, 2004, 10:59:49 PM
Quote


;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


STANDING OVATION!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Offline Bernardswatch

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lahRe: The dog ate my music
Reply #5 on: June 25, 2004, 01:59:47 AM
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


Kulahola's popularity seems to be at rock bottom
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Offline kulahola

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Re: lahRe: The dog ate my music
Reply #6 on: June 25, 2004, 09:14:50 AM
Quote
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


Kulahola's popularity seems to be at rock bottom


And I couldnt care less.
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Shagdac

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Re: The dog ate my music
Reply #7 on: June 25, 2004, 04:06:02 PM
Bernhardswatch wrote:

Quote
Kulahola's popularity seems to be at rock bottom


Not true! I think rocks are a little more popular!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Shagdac

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Re: The dog ate my music
Reply #8 on: June 25, 2004, 04:14:21 PM
Surendipity,

Really a great observation! I have always felt that music lessons, often reap awards far more than JUST learning music. There is so much more to gain. Often the self confidence and esteem are what we see the biggest change in.Some people I think have difficulty in expressing themselves, other than thru music. Often this is what it takes for them to be able to express themselves in other areas....or maybe it is the only area where they will be able to. Kudos to you for being the type of teacher that sees beyond just the music. Although yes, learning to play one would think would be the main goal in taking piano lessons in the first place, often it is not the only or the first area we see a change.

You certainly sound like the type of teacher your students are lucky to have! Thanks for sharing!


S :)
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