Introduction to my Blog
July 17th, 2010
After studying piano for 18 years, I still can say that piano and music are my greatest passions so far in my life.
The main goal of my blog is to share my experiences as a piano teacher. Having worked at 6 music facilities in Ottawa (Ontario, Canada), I have had the pleasure of teaching more than 200 students in both private and group settings. My teachings have reached far and wide into the French Catholic School Board, four privately-owned music studios, and a community center for the City of Ottawa. Now that I have a music studio of my own, I feel that my experiences have grown exponentially at the Accel Music Studios. Highlights of my teachings are the opportunity to teach a set of triplets, 4 sets of twins, 3 young-at-heart 60 + seniors, and students as young as 3 years old . My versatility as a teacher has given my students a strong structure for their academics and most important, the appreciation for music that will hopefully last their entire life.
The second goal of my blog is to offer my own opinion and perspectives on instrumental teaching methods. Methods of teaching vary from teacher to teacher. And though there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way, in my opinion, a balance between the enjoyment of music and a productive lesson always produces the best results. I find that many teachers are strict academics whose goals are to treat music like studying math: cold and calculated, or like bootcamp: giving out militaristic orders. This strict method might work on many levels to achieve goals as a professional, disciplinary musician, but more often than not, most students tend to grows up despising music and giving up at the very first opportunity. Strict teachers might yield some “musical prodigy” by teaching piano like a chore, but unfortunately , a very small percentage of students would grow up enjoying music of their own accord. The rest has a tendency to hate their teacher, hate music, and wish for something else for their own children. The opposite type of teacher is the teaching style that offers no direction but rather dwells on the appreciation of music. Students who learn music with no focus, no direction and no improvement can leave the student wanting. For example, I have spoken to many adults who grew up surrounded by music, singing and dance, but never had the opportunity to learn an instrument. I have met teachers who treat a lesson the same way and as long as the student is having fun then no further goals are set.
I hope that my weekly updated blog will give teachers a different perspective to their teachings. Resources are not easy to find online and music teachers need direction as much as the next teacher of academics. My colleague and business partner Mate Al-Khafajy has his own blog as well, offering another perspective on the trials and challenges of teaching music. I hope to open interesting discussions and debates on teaching methods. If you have one-on-one questions or comments, please e-mail me at david@accelmusic.ca
After studying piano for 18 years, I still can say that piano and music are my greatest passions so far in my life.
The main goal of my blog is to share my experiences as a piano teacher. Having worked at 6 music facilities in Ottawa (Ontario, Canada), I have had the pleasure of teaching more than 200 students in both private and group settings. My teachings have reached far and wide into the French Catholic School Board, four privately-owned music studios, and a community center for the City of Ottawa. Now that I have a music studio of my own, I feel that my experiences have grown exponentially at the Accel Music Studios. Highlights of my teachings are the opportunity to teach a set of triplets, 4 sets of twins, 3 young-at-heart 60 + seniors, and students as young as 3 years old . My versatility as a teacher has given my students a strong structure for their academics and most important, the appreciation for music that will hopefully last their entire life.
The second goal of my blog is to offer my own opinion and perspectives on instrumental teaching methods. Methods of teaching vary from teacher to teacher. And though there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way, in my opinion, a balance between the enjoyment of music and a productive lesson always produces the best results. I find that many teachers are strict academics whose goals are to treat music like studying math: cold and calculated, or like bootcamp: giving out militaristic orders. This strict method might work on many levels to achieve goals as a professional, disciplinary musician, but more often than not, most students tend to grows up despising music and giving up at the very first opportunity. Strict teachers might yield some “musical prodigy” by teaching piano like a chore, but unfortunately , a very small percentage of students would grow up enjoying music of their own accord. The rest has a tendency to hate their teacher, hate music, and wish for something else for their own children. The opposite type of teacher is the teaching style that offers no direction but rather dwells on the appreciation of music. Students who learn music with no focus, no direction and no improvement can leave the student wanting. For example, I have spoken to many adults who grew up surrounded by music, singing and dance, but never had the opportunity to learn an instrument. I have met teachers who treat a lesson the same way and as long as the student is having fun then no further goals are set.
I hope that my weekly updated blog will give teachers a different perspective to their teachings. Resources are not easy to find online and music teachers need direction as much as the next teacher of academics. My colleague and business partner Mate Al-Khafajy has his own blog as well, offering another perspective on the trials and challenges of teaching music. I hope to open interesting discussions and debates on teaching methods. If you have one-on-one questions or comments, please e-mail me at david@accelmusic.ca
