lesson teaching

[trumpetgal99]

Hello all, i am a student education major and would like to start giving lessons, do you have any tips on where i should start when it comes to teaching technique? thank you so much

[zaferis]

local schools, start at the elementary level and work your way up.

talk less, play more....
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[DaveH]

Make sure the lessons address the basics or fundamentals of playing the instrument....tone quality is paramount, articulation, flexibility, embouchure development, finger dexterity, listening skills, etc. Also, work on musical expression, etudes - the development of musical sense.

As I was taught, the most important of all the "basics" is TONE or some might say, sound quality. Emphasize that beautiful, clear, and resonant tone is the player's greatest asset - not the current fixation with extreme high range playing.

There seems to be disagreement on the value of mouthpiece buzzing, but I was taught to buzz everything I played. For me, I think it was very beneficial, and I still buzz today.

My teacher used to be sure to write down all my lesson work from my various method books, solo practice, etc. on a notepad he used - this would help me to remember to practice all the things he assigned over the week (I had a lesson once a week and then went home and practiced for the next lesson).

If you are seeking to give lessons, I would assume you have a good, well-developed tone yourself. So, play along with and play for the student. The ability to produce a good tone is significantly influenced and learned by listening to and imitation of someone who has a good sound.

Just some ideas to consider.

[dstdenis]

^ this. I'd also add intonation, or playing in tune with oneself (proper intervals) and with others (pitch matching). Practicing at home with a drone helps to develop pitch awareness. Also, playing in unison or duets with the teacher during lessons helps.

In her masterclass on youtube, Barbara Butler mentioned that too many players wait too long before addressing intonation. She thinks pitch awareness is a skill that can and should be cultivated early in a student's development.
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[kehaulani]

Concerning skill level, it might be actually easier to teach non-beginning level students, assuming their previous learning was good. You can do less damage, LOL.

Ref. tone studies, I have found "moving" long tones more helpful than traditional long tones. Those long tones can really demand an endurance type response that can take away from the main goal; working on pure tone. Alternatives are things like the Concone vocal studies and Chicowitz's Flow Studies (actually long tone studies).

For frugal or unfocused multitaskers, you might consider a lesson book that already has a progressive and comprehensive group of studies in each lesson, like the Rubank or Mitchell studies, instead of several books at one time. Helpful for you to keep track of things, as well as the student. I personally used the Arban book for years, but that was by those experienced in teaching (Schilke, Ernest Williams), which you are not.

A lesson book for the student to keep and refer to is also good.

If you're interested in tone, a read through Chicowitz's teaching methods may be helpful, as well as Claude Gordon's "brass playing is no harder than deep breathing".
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[Brad361]

[pepperdean]

As has been stated, playing with/for the student is important, assuming you have the skills. Many times, you are the only model for them to emulate.

Also, for fun, encouragement, and confidence-building, I like to save a few minutes to play a duet with the student before the lesson is over. As their reading improves, let them play the top part first time through.

Alan

[Billy B]

You learn to teach by being taught.
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[bamajazzlady]

Start with adults as unlike children/teens they can't be forced to do anything, plus they come with a lifetime (depends) of listening to music.
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[LaTrompeta]

I'd make friends with local band directors, go play and prove you are a decent player and offer a slightly (and I mean slightly) lower pay rate for your services until you are established and you should be successful. Offering too low of a pay rate can seriously undercut the industry, which does no good for anyone.

[Steve A]

[Brad361]

[Trumpetbjorn]

Many people teach how they learn (or learned). This is our most natural way and a good place to start with respect to finding your teaching technique.

[DaveH]