What makes a good music teacher? I've been thinking about this a lot lately.
My best music teachers have always done more than just make me a better musician. Of course, the teacher must be a competant musician themselves, but it goes deeper than that. My best teachers inspired me to go further. They made me want to do more than just play the instrument in a technically perfect way.
A good teacher will give their students the tools they need to continue progressing even in the teacher's absence. A good teacher will build their students up and try to show them what they are capable of. A good teacher will do their best to show how beautiful and enlightening the fine arts can be. They will go beyond the scope of just music and draw parallels in art, sports, and humanity; whatever it takes to get a concept across. A good teacher can see when a student is struggling and will make an effort to help. A good teacher will also try many different approaches, when the first try doesn't work.
Most importantly, a good teacher will put their students first. It must be a positive experience, or they will have no appreciation for it when they grow up. In my own teaching, I am not concerned if the student has dreams of becoming a music professional or even if they want to continue playing later in life (though it would be wonderful if they did). My goal is to show them what a powerful and positive force the fine arts can be and why they should care about it. And it is my responsibility to show them that I care, too.
On a related note, my studio of clarinet and saxophone students have become the highlight of my day. Even on those days when I am feeling lazy and uninspired, I will go in to teach anyway and go home again feeling happy and energized. Seeing them progress and improve, and being able to teach them what I am so passionate about is a great feeling.
To me, these things and more are what make a good music teacher. :-)
Well said!
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