Teaching kids who don't want to learn

Subject: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: Marion
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:20 AM

Hello all. I just had an introductory meeting with a prospective new fiddle student, who is 12 years old. It was clear that his mother is much more interested in him learning the violin than he is. He didn't seem bratty at all - just a kid who would be happier playing road hockey with the other boys than stuck practicing the violin.

Mudcat music teachers, do you accept students whose moms are making them take lessons?

Marion

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: JudeL
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:48 AM

Try it for a while, you never know he may discover a joy in the playing of the instrument. Children are often quite skeptical of trying new things unless it's something that all their friends have already tried and liked.

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:57 AM

Also, his apparent lack of interest may mask a deep insecurity and fear of failure. You probably already know that if you can find ways to bond with him, and can find where his strengths lie, you'll go a long way towards breaking down the barriers.
Or, he may really have no interest, in which case you probably won't go far with him.

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: death by whisky
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 08:12 AM

I was teaching a youmg girl of that age.She hasnt ben for two weeks.Anyway,to kindle some interest I arrange a song thats in the pop charts.I dont know how practical that is for violin,as Im teaching her guitar.I know when I was twelve I wasnt much interested in the violin.

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: Blues=Life
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 08:22 AM

When I was a kid, the music my guitar teacher gave me was either "Go tell Aunt Rhodie", or classical. I was around 9-10 years old. Not the greatest experience. My 13 year old is trying to learn guitar now. We started with blues shuffles and turnarounds. Why? Because he thinks they're cool, and they get him excited. Now we're moving to chords. This may seem backwards, but his level of excitement is being maintained.
Also, I learned from my own experience about instrument choice. I started on a 1/2 size steel guitar, with an action that I now realize Stevie Ray Vaughan would have thought was too high. My son is learning on a nicely set-up Squire Strat. Plays like butter. Guitar should be FUN! I don't see why violin should be any different.
Blues

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: MMario
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 08:28 AM

I would try to find something about the instrument or music that *does* excite the kid. There has to be something...

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: Bagpuss
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 09:12 AM

My 'cello teacher used to ask me to bring in tapes of songs I liked, and she would transcribe them for the cello for me to play, made the monotony of practicing scales and exercises a bit easier and helped me enjoy the instrument.

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: bet
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 09:26 AM

I have found that when I take on a new student I take them on for a month trail time and if at the end of the month they are still committed to the instrument I then go ahead with lessons. I start with the understanding that if either party thinks it is not going to work at the end of the month there will be no hard feelings, etc.if either drops the lessons. I then make sure they know what I expect, how much practice time, progress, etc. I ask the student (not patent) why they want lessons and what they expect out of me. I do try to find music to turn the kid on but we all know some are just not going to make it especially if it's the parents idea. It's really hard to teach a student the is taking only because a partent thinks hi/she should. I also charge by the month, $20.00. It pretty will evens out over a year knowing some months the student will be there 5 times, other months maybe only 3 times. This way I know and the parents know what to budget for. Good luck! bet

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: Willie-O
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:38 PM

A kid without serious interest, IMHO, is a lousy candidate for violin lessons. Learning curve way too steep.

Maybe piano or guitar.

Bill

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: Deni-C
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 03:31 AM

My husband dragged/cajoled & bribed my twelve year old daughter to piano lessons every week for 2 years. Despite refusing to practise, she got a distinction at a festival, passed exams and hated every minute of it. In the end I said, enough. Now she sits and rattles off tunes under her own steam. She'll do just fine on her own and I'm really happy she's found her own way.

but as long as this twelve year old isn't kicking and screaming perhaps it won't do him any harm..

BW
Deni

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: JudeL
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 04:59 AM

Kids almost automatically consider anything their parents want them to do as something that they are not going to want to do, just on principle. Frequently having tried something (often under protest) they may then (not immediately cos that would be admitting the parent had a point) find that they do like what they ahve been asked to try . They may not like it in the form they tried it but they will often go back to it of their own accord some time after the parent has long since stopped pushing it. I am convinced that our children like to prove us wrong, especially when you get asked questions about them and you have just said they don't like something (cos that's what they've been telling you for years). This is their opportunity pipe up and say "I do sometimes!" and make out like you know nothing about them.

Subject: RE: Teaching kids who don't want to learn
From: Deni-C
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 06:25 AM

Too true, Jude L

My daughter's turning point came in her first year at secondary school when the teacher gave them simple melodies to learn. like the old pro she is, she launched into something jazzy and complicated and all the kids stood around going, wow. the teacher then said, 'er well perhaps Rachael's a bit further along the path than the rest of you and let her fiddle while others learned.'

when she wants to show off at parties, I usually say I don't want her outdoing me, that makes her VERY keen.

Cheers
Deni