This week I want to talk about 'Teachers not being comfortable with parents in the classroom.' What I write below is meant for classical music pedagogy. If you are a classroom music teacher, pop music tutor, jazz, composition or any other kind of music-related industry - then please know this blog below does not apply to you.
But if you are in the classical music industry, as a parent/student or teacher, then read on.
Muso-Method has a 'Muso Triangle' philosophy
Muso believes in order for a young child to pass grade 8 and love music, there needs to be a:
1) Passionate teacher
2) Supportive parent
3) Interested (somewhat) child
All three parties together with the guidance of the right teacher, will help build positivity and CONFIDENCE in the child.
What does 'Passionate Muso Teacher' mean?
All our certified Muso-Method teachers, be at Muso Music Academy or elsewhere around the world, are CONFIDENT. It doesn't matter if you are introverted or shy - that's not an excuse.
Our Muso-Method teachers are passionate about encouraging each child to have the potential to be a concert pianist, or have a career in the classical music industry.
Just because the kids are young and don't know what they want to do, does not mean it is not the music teacher's responsibility to not give them this opportunity. Muso-Method are also trained to be strategic planners, providing clear long-term goals and efficient practice plans. This means training students (of ALL ages in-fact) to have the:
- correct technique/posture
- right sight-reading skills
- intonation (for non-piano instruments)
- performance experience
- good practice discipline (in a positive way)
- confidence
If a music teacher is not confident to 'perform' in-front of the parent, you will be teaching the child that performing in-front of strangers is 'too nervous, stressful or anxious'. The three big 'NO' words we don't EVER say to a child. Probably worse than a swear word even!
What does 'supportive parent' mean?
Some parents get confused and believe you must know music in order to be supportive of your child. But that's the opposite of the truth! If anything, parents who don't know music at all are the BEST supporters of your children's music journey.
Why is this?
- Impatient
- Angry quickly
- A know-it-all
- Doing everything for their kid (spoiling their child) (e.g. getting the books/turning the page, writing all the note letters, playing for the kid to copy their hands)
- Following the teacher's practice instructions (but if they aren't clear or efficient, then the fault is of the teacher)
- Using positive reinforcement (throwing soft toys, every time they do something right)
- Funny 'positive' punishments (losing points like a game, or parents winning points)
- Laughing every time they make a small mistake
- Being attentive in lesson
- Provide clear instructions to help kids gain independence
- Not writing any note letters in the book
- Good music teacher = positive first impression of music
- Bad music teacher = negative first impression of music
Muso Music Academy personally does not accept any kids who don't show any response or interest. We do this by providing a free interview, to see if the child has positive reaction to our positive first impressions. Other music teachers around the world can do this by doing a trial lesson, or an interview.
- If kids show good reaction to positive Muso teaching: then it means the kid is interested (no matter how 'little' interest they had before.
- If kids show negative reaction to positive Muso teaching: then the kid is not ready or does not have any interest at all.
Hope this blog snippet helps any reader out there. My full version is a book called 'Muso-Method: More Than Piano Teaching' coming out soon this year.
If any music teacher is interested in becoming a confident Muso-Method teacher, feel free to enrol in our 18H Muso-Method Fundamentals Course (click here for information).
To register your interest for the next upcoming Muso-Method Fundamentals teacher course, submit here.
To find the nearest Muso-Method teacher, please check www.musomusicpublishing.com or https://musomethod.app from August 2024 onwards.
Good luck, Muso fam! Let's spread Muso-Method around and make it number #1
Kindest