The Stern Music Teacher
Yesterday I felt compelled to get stern with my best student. He’s 14 years old. He plays well for his age. He also has excellent chops on Irish fiddle tunes.
But, it was clear from his handlng of Handel tha he had not practice seriously. I made him do the 3 times drill. I talked him through the double stops part of practicing the moves from one pair of notes to the next. I had him listen for the pitch of the same note remaining exact from one instance to the next a few notes later.
That last item is more important for fretless stringed instruments, I suppose. The 3 times, and coordinating critical moves as simpley and directly as possible…those apply to other instruments.
What I really don’t know is whether the stern persona is effective. I seldom adopt it.
My usual approach is supportive. If I can find anything that a student is doing well I acknowledge that first. Then, I offer tips for improvement. Finally, I say something generally supportive to put the last layer on the sandwich.
Students have sometimes expressed great appreciation for this supportive attitude. They cite previous experience with a critical teacher for comparison.
I have heard violin drop outs speak of the Nazi violin teacher from childhood.
Strengthening your strengths is the advice of psycologists of learning. The weakest link is not the best metaphor. What a student is best at will create the satisfaction to keep on. As long as the student stays the course, the game is won.
Tags: 
every one learns better from a good teacher, understanding is the secret, i couldnt learn from a stern teacher i woulf get defencive,