After a particularly stressful week, I went into my coaching session early afternoon on Friday. Slightly annoyed with myself for letting the time go by so quickly without sufficient practice (yes, teachers show up to lessons without practicing too); combine that with a hint of seasonal allergies, and the lesson went about as bad as I expected it to.  Taking a disappointing coaching session before an afternoon of teaching isn’t exactly an ego boost, but it did verify my reasoning for continuing lessons as a teacher.

1. Bad Habits. This is one of the foremost reasons I continue to take lessons. Teaching all week in different capacities can make you lazy and subtly pick up bad habits even if you have the best technique knowledge. Any kind of routine can make you cut corners, especially if the week has been trying. The first time that hit home for me was early on in my teaching career, and I went in for a lesson. No big deal, right? The first warm-up and my coach pointed out a glaring error – one that I get on my students about. I didn’t even realize I was doing it, because I had become so accustomed to the feel and sound. I could have easily led students wrong, simply because there was no one listening to me.
2. Accountability. A teacher has not arrived – they are just a little farther in practice and experience than the one they are teaching. If it’s always you and the student, you can begin to get stagnant in your teaching approaches, or begin to think you “know it all.” Having someone else to bounce ideas off and pick their brain keeps you sharp and humble. Also, managing a large number of students and their progress is tiring, and you can begin to drop your own projects and goals. Knowing you have a lesson every month can at least guilt you into keeping tabs on your own personal progress, and at best spur you into action to achieving your goals.
3. Example. My younger students are great encouragers. When I play the simple duet part to their piano songs, or accompany them in song, they tend to gush and say “you are SO good!” I know, right?? (Ahem.) Then I tell them it is because of hard work, practice, and lessons. If a student of any age sees you taking your own progress seriously, and that you are not done learning, it can be a huge motivation. With older students, lessons become more of a joint effort, as we explore different ways of doing things. And if I don’t know the answer? That’s ok. I tell them I’ll do some research and we will figure it out. Because I’m still learning too.

There you have it. If you can’t take formal lessons, surround yourself with knowledgeable musicians, and don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” If you don’t know, find someone who does.

Keep on singing!