studio V
private musical studio instruction
For the Adult I find that my adult students' single greatest obstacle to be themselves. Adults are viciously critical, unnecessarily so, and this mindset is often directed inward. The hardest lesson for the adult student to grasp is the very personal quality of music. Making it meaningful to you is the point. I have never known an adult student who picks up an instrument to change careers, yet many of my adult students will beat themselves up over their progress as though they were engaging an assignment from their work. The adult student will need to fully understand that necessity to practice. If the adult student does not fall into the trap of being too critical of themselves, they will often neglect the time piano, and sabotage their personal goals as such. It does not take a lot of time to practice the piano and improve, but it must be done. The beginning adult student should be prepared to spend time every day with the piano. This is of the utmost importance, even if it is just thirty minutes a day. If a day must go by that you do not get to practice, do not let too many go by. Adults are intellectually stimulating students, and a joy to teach, if nothing else because their is real spiritual renewal when you see an adult student learning a new thing. Adults have a tendency to be cynical, and giving them the uncynical gift of music is one of the most moral things a music teacher can do for the world. As always, please contact me for further discussion. I welcome conversations, especially those involving coffee. |
