Teaching is one career that can never be replaced by AI. There is something about receiving in person feedback that is simply more rewarding. Imagine, for a moment, Siri’s cold voice informing you that you played the chord wrong. For me, human feedback is valuable enough that I am willing to pay for it, and I’m willing to bet many others feel the same way.
This is particularly true for teaching a topic like music; the arts have always been an expression of humanity, and people use creativity in order to make connections.
With that in mind, I want to reflect on how I have connected with my students in small ways, opening the doors for creativity and rapport.
I started teaching 5-year-old Charlie back in October. He began with enough enthusiasm to single-handedly write a bestselling symphony and was quickly discouraged upon discovering the fine motor skills required to play a simple melody when your hand is about the same size as just two piano keys.
To remedy this, I keep teaching a little bit at a time and keep lessons fun and interesting, so discouragement doesn’t give way to boredom. In Charlie’s case, discouragement gave way to humor.
After playing a song well, my students get to choose a sticker to put on the sheet music. One class, Charlie selected an elephant sticker and announced, “Moose!”
It quickly became an inside joke. The following weeks, any sticker he chose was a “moose”. I started drawing little antlers on each sticker.
Drawing antlers is not learning piano, and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t taking up too much of Charlie’s class time doodling in his piano books. I also wanted to find some stickers I knew he would enjoy.
After a while of searching on Amazon, I found moose stickers. Fun fact, business expenses do not count as taxable income, so I can easily buy treats and stickers for my students.
I was unsure how Charlie would react to the stickers. Maybe he would be disappointed that I would no longer be drawing antlers on bunny stickers and calling it a moose. I had no reason to worry, though.
When I showed him the moose stickers, he was speechless. Once he overcame the shock, he showed his mom and did a happy dance.
For me, I connect with my students by understanding their interests and listening to them. It is ok if we talk about things besides piano for a part of the class. When students feel appreciated, it is easier for them to practice the more difficult songs. Especially for very small humans, it is nearly impossible to visualize the long term benefits of learning piano. So instead, it can be worth it to them because their teacher cares, they can make jokes, and there are stickers of their favorite animal.
Maybe I should write a little song about a moose.
If anyone reading my blog is a teacher, I encourage you to find small ways to connect with your students. When they feel appreciated and safe, doors will open for creativity and learning.
