Which student-attitude is most preferable?

[m1469]

From your perspective as a  teacher, which of the following attitudes from a student do you prefer (or from your perspective as a student, which attitude do you embody)?

1.  One who knows exactly what they want and takes in everything you offer that goes toward that goal, but is generally burried in their own ambition like a machine, very head strong and often will not listen to what you say

2.  One who is easily influenced by you, will do anything you say, let's you think for them


Have you found one attitude to be more "successful" than another in terms of maintaining the ability to accomplish goals, taking in information and using it?

m1469

[pianonut]

sometimes an idea isn't immediately embraced because the student doesn't fully understand what the teacher is trying to say (or had a previous teacher who taught differently).  but, with experience, they may come to see the value in whatever is being discussed.  even students who leave for a few years (or many) may come back to a teacher and thank them profusely not just for the times where they agreed, but for the disagreements and high expectations that good teachers have.  it sometimes seems futile and pointless, but that is where the students that have no goals start crying.

for the students that are pushovers, i would recommend studying the other kind of students and visa-versa.  learning to take risks and being less arrogant are two extremes.  maybe for the students that have no opinion - the teacher should ask them more often what their opinion is.  if they don't have one at the lesson - maybe an assignment could be made to study the subject and bring back a paper.  it's hard to get paperwork assignments from piano students - with other homework etc. - but you could even just hand them a book and say 'read this and tell me what you think when you are done.'

[Bob]

I would want a student that has some ideas of what they want.  That helps me figure out what and how to teach them.

Short of that, a student that follows what I say is ok.  I can always figure out what they have in mind eventaully anyway.

An arrogant student will probably be a pain if they won't listen to my advice.  I wouldn't mind a determined, independent student that is willing to try my advice though.

A student that can work a little independently is nice.  I don't like having a student that has no ability to do things for themselves and can't make progress on their own, even if that progress is just applying ideas we have covered.  I hate the feeling that if I don't do this for the student, the student isn't going to do it at all.

[mound]

Is that the only option? I'd honestly describe myself, as a student, like this (using your words and mine)

 One who knows exactly what they want and takes in everything you offer that goes toward that goal, is generally burried in their own ambition like a machine, very head strong but recognizes your knowledge and therefore is easily influenced by you, will do anything you say, but will force you to further investigate your own methods by also questioning what you say in a non-combative manner, thereby creating an environment where teacher and student can grow together.

[anda]

1.  One who knows exactly what they want and takes in everything you offer that goes toward that goal, but is generally burried in their own ambition like a machine, very head strong and often will not listen to what you say

you can't teach someone who doesn't want to be taught - or someone who thinks they know better than you...

2.  One who is easily influenced by you, will do anything you say, let's you think for them

you could teach a student like this, maybe even help him/her get to an average level. but a strong personality (individuality) is a prerequisite for an artist, so i guess i don't think a student like this could ever become a pianist. i think this is the most common case of "good student" i have seen.