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Travelassie summed up what several of the posters here are saying. You haven't answered some of the questions she and others have raised. How could the students be poorly behaved, running around your house, if a parent is present at every lesson? How could a simple issue of needing to be informed of a child's level of English mastery, or lack of English knowledge, prior to beginning the lessons, go unresolved for years? Many of the concerns you raise aren't difficult to address and resolve. Maybe there's more to these scenarios, than you've told us. If that's the case, by all means, provide more information.
You always, always, always do this--pile on negativity, make hurtful, hypercritical remarks and cut the OP to ribbons. I have to wonder why. What is your motivation. Are you enjoying yourself when you do this?
Pot, meet...
Just how would you describe your responses to my first post in this thread?
I have played musical instruments since I was in third grade, was in orchestras for nine years, played for a dance group for an additional thirteen years, and have been a member of a traditional music group for over 30 years.
No, I am not a music teacher, but music has long been a huge and wonderful part of my life, and I remember what it was like to be a music student.
I am sorry none of this signifies to you, since I never taught music (I did teach other subjects, however, and worked professionally with children and parents for over 28 years). Discounting input from posters like myself and others who have similar experience is your choice, of course.
Good luck to you - and especially, to your students.
And who chooses the instrument such young children are to study: is it by their initiative, or something their parents have foisted on them?
That's the question that I also have, because I can't imagine any 4-year-old wanting to play an instrument at all, let alone that instrument being a viola.
My experience with music has been that if you want to play a string instrument, and you want to be in demand as a player, learn to play bass. Guitar players aren't a dime a dozen, they're a nickel a gross, but just try to find a really good bass player who actually likes playing bass. I've dealt with too many guitarists who "play guitar - and bass", but who clearly aren't content playing bass.
That's the question that I also have, because I can't imagine any 4-year-old wanting to play an instrument at all, let alone that instrument being a viola.
With very few exceptions (if any), violists start on violin.
I'm a little surprised that posters are not aware of the ubiquitous Suzuki program which starts children at age three. Teachers vary, however: I will take them at age four-almost five, and only if the parent is willing to be one side of the "Suzuki triangle" of Student/Parent/Teacher. The parent is the home teacher.
I'm not a purist with respect to Suzuki and am more of an eclectic teacher, using Suzuki for the little ones and more traditional methods for older students. Suzuki is very controversial and Dr. Suzuki himself wrote that "there is no such thing as Suzuki Method only Suzuki-Teacher's-name-Method. See:
With very few exceptions (if any), violists start on violin.
I'm a little surprised that posters are not aware of the ubiquitous Suzuki program which starts children at age three. Teachers vary, however: I will take them at age four-almost five, and only if the parent is willing to be one side of the "Suzuki triangle" of Student/Parent/Teacher. The parent is the home teacher.
I'm not a purist with respect to Suzuki and am more of an eclectic teacher, using Suzuki for the little ones and more traditional methods for older students. Suzuki is very controversial and Dr. Suzuki himself wrote that "there is no such thing as Suzuki Method only Suzuki-Teacher's-name-Method. See:
Indeed, but is it truly parent AND child, or actually just parent?
Exactly. At ages 3 and 4, even 5, with the exception of unusually gifted children, kids aren't toddling around demanding to learn to play violin. Most don't even know what a violin is, at 3 and 4.
I love teaching--I really do. But here is a list of recent problem actions by students. Please note I teach private music lessons (violin/fiddle, viola & piano) from age four to older adults, and sometimes multiple children in a family. No particular order of importance:
1. Students trying to be in charge of the lesson, when they're totally lacking in knowledge about anything musical or pedagogical.
2. Quitting without the requested one month notice. Or worse: quitting on the day, even the hour, lesson fees are due.
3. Bringing some weird piece they picked up on the internet for an audition NEXT WEEK, with music that is far beyond their current technical ability.
4. Not picking up the toys before they leave.
5. Playing with my cat--who is in another part of the house and DOES NOT WANT TO BE BOTHERED, though he's very gentle and patient.
6. Making a lot of noise when they enter the studio, while another lesson is in progress.
7. Starting with some VSO ("Violin Shaped Object") that cannot be made to sound good or even stay in tune.
8. Children who clearly have some sort of learning disability but parents don't tell me.
9. Children who don't speak English and parents don't tell me.
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