It's rather like a work contract . . .
. . .the relationship between pupil and teacher, I mean. Basically, I promise to teach you all about playing the piano - and that includes technique, music appreciation, aural training, music theory, sight-reading, performance, and instruction on how to get the best out of your practice sessions. It probably includes a lot more too - hopefully things like fun, enjoyment, making new friends, and feeling really proud of yourself. Sometimes it even includes stickers! I also promise to spend some of my own time in planning what you are going to learn next, which exams, concerts, or festivals you are going to perform in, arranging timetables, sometimes even writing music for you, going shopping to buy music for you, and . . .wait for it . . . yes, practising your pieces so that I can teach them to you in the most effective way.
That's my part of the contract. I wonder how many people think about the fact that they also take part in the same contract? And if so, have you thought what your part in that contract would be? Well, this is what I think . . . and I'd be very pleased to be given any more ideas on this matter, please.
1. Practise. I can say now that one thing in life I really don't like is being bored. And I do get bored if people don't practise the piano. Do, please, practise regularly. Even for just a few minutes each time. Read what I write in your note-book (then you'll know which pieces and scales to practise, and exactly how I want you to practise them).
2. Talk to me. Some of you will have heard me say that if a pupil doesn't understand something, the "fault" (although maybe a better word would be "responsibility") always lies with the teacher; this is because it means that we haven't explained it to you in a way that is meaningful to you. That's why it's very important that you tell me if you don't understand something - then I have the chance to try again, using a different method. This is one of the really fun things about being a teacher - I call it "thinking round corners".
3. Help me to survive! Another part of your contract with me is to pay me. It may sound obvious, but the fact is that I need to make a living in the same way that anyone else in life does, and every time you cancel your lesson my weekly food bill starts to look worrying! I'm not talking about when you are ill (while we're on this subject, turning up here with colds and sore throats is fine by me, but tummy bugs are definitely too anti-social; please allow 48 hours of being well before you come here), but when you cancel at short notice because of school events, sleepovers, shopping, tiredness, feeding your goldfish, or painting your toenails I must admit I'm not very happy. I usually charge in full for less than 48 hours' notice of cancellation (except in cases of illness), but please, please, please try to give me more notice than that - then I may well be able to find you another lesson time. A lot of teachers insist on being paid a term in advance so that they don't lose money on missed lessons, but I know that that is a lot of money in one go and, although some people choose to pay in advance, I really don't want to force it on anyone. I just rely on people having consideration for me in this matter.
4. If you are a parent, please be responsible for your child(ren). When a child is in my house, I feel responsible for its well-being. I can only be responsible if I can see the child, so please do not drop your child off early for their lesson, or be late in picking them up. I know it feels that a child is safe when waiting in my kitchen area while I am working in the music room alongside, but there have been instances in the past of children wandering off around the house which is certainly neither safe for the child nor desirable for me and my family.
It is important, please, that you read your child's music notebook before and after every lesson; there will be instructions for practice, and this may enable you to take an active part in your child's learning. Also, I write details of concerts and festivals which you will be interested in.
5. The last part of your contract is to look after yourself. This means bringing everything you need to the lesson (please don't forget your books - your notebook will always tell you which pieces you need. You DO need to bring your notebook, too!!). It also means making sure your nails are short enough for you to be able to play. I know that beautifully manicured nails look wonderful and make you feel wonderful, but they make a horrible "click click" on the keys. And they make your fingers skid all over the place. Not good for playing Rachmaninov! Oh yes, and if you normally wear glasses for playing the piano . . . yes, you've guessed it!
That's my part of the contract. I wonder how many people think about the fact that they also take part in the same contract? And if so, have you thought what your part in that contract would be? Well, this is what I think . . . and I'd be very pleased to be given any more ideas on this matter, please.
1. Practise. I can say now that one thing in life I really don't like is being bored. And I do get bored if people don't practise the piano. Do, please, practise regularly. Even for just a few minutes each time. Read what I write in your note-book (then you'll know which pieces and scales to practise, and exactly how I want you to practise them).
2. Talk to me. Some of you will have heard me say that if a pupil doesn't understand something, the "fault" (although maybe a better word would be "responsibility") always lies with the teacher; this is because it means that we haven't explained it to you in a way that is meaningful to you. That's why it's very important that you tell me if you don't understand something - then I have the chance to try again, using a different method. This is one of the really fun things about being a teacher - I call it "thinking round corners".
3. Help me to survive! Another part of your contract with me is to pay me. It may sound obvious, but the fact is that I need to make a living in the same way that anyone else in life does, and every time you cancel your lesson my weekly food bill starts to look worrying! I'm not talking about when you are ill (while we're on this subject, turning up here with colds and sore throats is fine by me, but tummy bugs are definitely too anti-social; please allow 48 hours of being well before you come here), but when you cancel at short notice because of school events, sleepovers, shopping, tiredness, feeding your goldfish, or painting your toenails I must admit I'm not very happy. I usually charge in full for less than 48 hours' notice of cancellation (except in cases of illness), but please, please, please try to give me more notice than that - then I may well be able to find you another lesson time. A lot of teachers insist on being paid a term in advance so that they don't lose money on missed lessons, but I know that that is a lot of money in one go and, although some people choose to pay in advance, I really don't want to force it on anyone. I just rely on people having consideration for me in this matter.
4. If you are a parent, please be responsible for your child(ren). When a child is in my house, I feel responsible for its well-being. I can only be responsible if I can see the child, so please do not drop your child off early for their lesson, or be late in picking them up. I know it feels that a child is safe when waiting in my kitchen area while I am working in the music room alongside, but there have been instances in the past of children wandering off around the house which is certainly neither safe for the child nor desirable for me and my family.
It is important, please, that you read your child's music notebook before and after every lesson; there will be instructions for practice, and this may enable you to take an active part in your child's learning. Also, I write details of concerts and festivals which you will be interested in.
5. The last part of your contract is to look after yourself. This means bringing everything you need to the lesson (please don't forget your books - your notebook will always tell you which pieces you need. You DO need to bring your notebook, too!!). It also means making sure your nails are short enough for you to be able to play. I know that beautifully manicured nails look wonderful and make you feel wonderful, but they make a horrible "click click" on the keys. And they make your fingers skid all over the place. Not good for playing Rachmaninov! Oh yes, and if you normally wear glasses for playing the piano . . . yes, you've guessed it!
