Thanks Jess, some very good points, and not at all waffly!!!

I think if it were totally my decision then I would consult the student and ask what they want to get out of it, and explain WHY things are done in a certain way ie to help posture etc. I'd then let them make an informed decision about how they wish to play. That's adults obviously, children I would probably teach the classical way as I do think it has a lot of merits.

The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (who I am doing the course with) are very much of the opinion that I should teach the classical methods first. Which I do agree with to a certain extent, especially when teaching children. But.... when they come to do their observations of my lessons they are very likely to meet a chap holding his bow half way up, and his fiddle half way down his arm, who is quite happy playing like that and I wouldn't dream of asking him to do it another way.

I guess what I am saying is that I am happy with my teaching philosophy and methods, even though it may not conform to an official body's recognised way of doing things. I better get ready for my fail!

I would be interested to hear people's experiences of being taught either very well or very badly, and whether they learnt classically or folkilily (I just made that word up :D)