After teaching music for 22 years, I have learned that teaching adult students is very different from teaching children in a lot of ways. Adults have more responsibilities and obligations, more distractions, and not as much structure in place for practice time.
I recently came across a great article about the challenges many adult students face and how to overcome them. Check out the article for yourself here after reading my own two cents. As a teacher, I feel like my biggest job in teaching adults is to be a cheerleader for them. They are often busy and overwhelmed with kids, spouses, jobs, bills and other responsibilities that make it difficult to find consistent practice time. Many of them are taking music lessons as an escape, a time to relax and do something fun for themselves, and by themselves. So I feel it’s important keep things light, not too serious, keep them progressing quickly, and with constant encouragement. At some point in every one of my adult students’ lesson career, I have to give them a pep talk stating exactly what I’m about to tell you and the same thing that article talks about as well.
For an adult to take on the challenge of music lessons (no matter what the instrument) along with all the other challenges of life, I feel is very brave and courageous, and I applaud you for even taking the step to try. Adults often put too much pressure on themselves and too high expectations. It takes time to develop the skills necessary to become proficient on a musical instrument, and adults usually don’t have the time a child would, neither do they have someone pushing them to practice, like a parent does with their child. They are on their own, stepping into a brave new world.
Some adults often feel guilty showing up to their lesson not having been able to practice for the week and some are so guilty they even cancel their lesson to try to get some practice in before they see me, hoping to not “waste my time”. Don’t fall into that trap! Trust me when I say I understand that there are going to be weeks where you won’t have time to practice. And ITS OK! I just tell my students, “try not to make a habit of it and get practice whenever you can.” For an adult student to come to the lesson unpracticed is NOT a waste of time for me as the teacher. I see that lesson as an opportunity to practice with you. And to help you even more.
Remember: 5 minutes every day is better than an hour once a week!
It’s not a race. There is no time limit. You do not have to finish a book or a certain piece by a certain date. There are no tests or exams. It’s just you, the teacher, and your instrument and we can take all the time we need to learn things the right way and be able to perform on your instrument the best that you can. Be patient with yourself. Yes, push yourself and challenge yourself, by all means. But remember to keep it in perspective and have fun! You’ll get there in your own time. Relax and enjoy the process!
Miss Donna 4 Music 