What constitutes a good teacher?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

For teaching little kids

You don't have to be an incredible pianist to become a teacher do you?  Do you even have to sightread well? What makes you a good, or a bad teacher?

[love_that_tune]

The proof is in the pudding.  How well the student plays and is inspired.

[ichky]

You don't have to be a good pianist to teach kids. But you must be a great teacher.
You must have the ability to inspire them, and motivate them to go further. Kids learn fast on their own, but they have to want to do it. That is where your problem will be.

Tips:
- Associate their piano lessons to their daily life, associate with the word "FUN".
- Remind them of the Pain / Consequneces that will occur if they do not practice, and remind them of the Pleasure / Reward should they achieve it.

Humans are fundamentally driven by pain and pleasure, especially kids.....

Hope this helps.

Ichky

[asuhayda]

I absolutely agree with you..  some of the best practitioners are the absolute WORST teachers. They are completely seperate talents. 

Don't get me wrong, it helps to be proficient at your craft before your try to teach it! 

I think some indicators of a good teacher are:

1.  How enthusiastic he is about teaching?
2.  What is he doing to improve as a teacher? 
3.  Does he have happy students who love to play?
4.  Do his students stick around for a while?
5.  Is he knowledgeable about the different musical periods (historically/interpretively/etc.)
6.  Is he furthering his education?

The worst teachers are the ones who think they know everything!
Hope this helps.

[beethovenopus2no3movt2]

It goes both ways. A willingness to listen and a williness to listen to critisism without becoming overly defensive on part of the teacher and the student.

[keypeg]

The teacher is going to teach how to play music on a piano.  So he has to:
- understand how the piano works
- understand how to use the body for playing the piano
- understand how music works, and how piano music works
- understand music theory in  a practical way both for written music and in the music we hear as we play, as well as how this meshes with the instrument: from note recognition, chords, progressions, and more
- know how to TEACH these things so that they come together
- and so, know how a student develops in music, how various types of students might develop
- how to get a student to get at skills during lessons, to "get" things
- how to guide a student's practicing between lessons
- do so without intimidating a student on one hand, or neglecting the student's development on the other.

In summary: skills in playing, understanding music, and teaching.

[go12_3]

To become a "good teacher"  is being flexible enough to know a variety of music.
Being understanding and patient toward a student's progress.
Not be so critical,and praise often.
Smile and enjoy each student because you enjoy teaching and the
students will feel that and will relax and enjoy learning the music.
Most of all, the teacher must love and know the music being taught.
Knowledge, skills, technique to be an effective teacher. 

[m1469]

Sees the potential of the student, can accurately assess strengths and weaknesses, has the knowledge to help the student reach his/her potential, and is willing (inwardly, especially).

[ahinton]

Sees the potential of the student, can accurately assess strengths and weaknesses, has the knowledge to help the student reach his/her potential, and is willing (inwardly, especially).

Someone who isn't me, sadly...

Best,

Alistair

[m1469]

Someone who isn't me, sadly...

Best,

Alistair

It means I have no hope to study composition with you?    Do you want to know?  I'm teaching a composition class this Fall, I'm really excited ... and thinking ...

[amelialw]

for me it makes a ton of difference if I have a teacher who can play what I'm learning, in fact it's a necessity

- a teacher who is commited to bringing out the best in each students
- a teacher who is capable of teaching students who have different methods of learning
- a teacher who not only enforces regular practice but stresses the importance of reading and listening to music and going for concerts
- a teacher who takes every opportunity to expose the students to the music culture; provided that the student is ready and interested
- a teacher who can bring out the positive points and praise when the student feels degraded and lacks confidence
- a teacher who sacrifices; charges less to students who can't afford to pay for the full expense of lessons
- a teacher who ensures that the student goes home never questioning what needs to be done
- a teacher who never says I'm way better than you but encourages you and pushes you to one day be better than them
- a teacher who shares their own expriences with you and gives you advice

[nagatomo]

A lot of good things have already been said.  I would also like to add that a good teacher is a teacher who can offer the solutions to difficulties the pupils are facing.  If a student is having a trouble playing leaping chords, for example, a good teacher will be able to suggest several ways to improve this.  One needs to be a good communicater, being able to explain and show, especially if one is teaching children and young persons. 

A good teacher encourages intermediate to advanced students to explore further, in terms of interpretation, repertoire and, indeed whole world of music. 

I strive to be one of these teachers...