I tried a few years ago to teach two neighbor kids. One dropped out at the part where we were all hugging, he was so dizzy he nearly fainted! The other just kind of lost interest eventually.
My lesson in the whole thing was, I have learned so much and take it all for granted, I had to slow down like 90% to get ideas across to these kids, what I was doing and how they could do the same. The lack of visibility of the actual mechanics was a liability I could not get past with those two. I did better with wife, who is enamored of harp and we jam to some stuff here and there, but we decided that she is definitely the guitarist of the house and I am the harp guy. I do hope to pick up some lap slide stuff one of these days. As for teaching, I don't know. I give a harp to a kid when I see some interest, no idea if anything will ever come of that.
bigd, you are a brave man! ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
I've had no luck bringing my kids to the musicians troth in spite of the instruments and home jam sessions I exposed them to. I don't think it's proper to push them although I will always nudge.
On the other hand, I have some nieces, nephews and grown up kids that credit me for providing their inspiration. I do like to keep a lot of instruments around and most visitors are welcome to take them for a spin. Alas, I am not a teacher ... ie, I've never actually coaxed a bend from a 'student'. I will direct them towards the knowledge.
Perhaps if I knew something more about the instruments I'd have had more success. For instance, I've been playing flute & sax for over 40 years with incorrect fingering. I would not want to pass that on. On the other hand I have played my music forward, sometimes with hope (even success), but other times just to irritate the parents.
I wish I had video from back when I taught band...
I taught in a small private school and realized early that a traditional school band was not going to work with my line up.
Eventually, I taught it as a horn blues/rock band. 4th - 8th grade kids on guitar, drums, keys, bass, horns, and at least one singer. The set list of the last concert included SRV's Crossfire and Pride and Joy, Jail House Rock Blues Brothers style, and a few others in that vein. Also, I would always get a kid or two to help write a song parody Weird Al style.
One concert a year, 5 or so songs, and I never babied them on the key. A fourth grader can play just fine in the key of E or A given good mentorship and motivation. (I would get the older kids to help the younger with fingerings.)
Also, I always played with the band. Why? All the great band leaders did it, the students love it, and it earns instant respect.
One thing I learned from my experience was that young people will work hard for you if they know they will sound great at the end of it all.
An honest, roof-shaking applause from an audience (rather than giggles at how cute they are) has the same energizing effect on kids as it does on us.
Here's a link that describes the Tutweiler Community Education Center's music program. I became a regular supporter after visiting the TCEC during my first Jam Camp with Jon Gindick. Lee Williams, Heather Crosse, and Dave Dunavent are great musicians and know how to teach their music. It's something to see.
http://www.tutwilercenter.org/music.html ---------- Phil Pennington
It can work the other way round also. Although I've played harmonica since I was 15 on and off down the years I didn't learn to play the guitar even though that was my buddies instrument of choice.
My Daughter started to learn to play the guitar at school but gave it up after a few months and switched to flute. I became so interested in both instruments that I started to learn to play both a few months after she stopped playing all together.
My interest then sparked my son's interest in the guitar and he has played it ever since and become pretty good.
Unlike my daughter he has really embraced music in a playing sense and writes and records and performs (now 39 years old) which is gratifying. He has even tooted Dylan style on the harp but taken it no further alas!
The harp was my first and favourite instrument and nothing's going to change that!
Edit to say that my daughter did stick with the flute for a couple of years or more with our encouragement and it was only when it was gathering dust did I start to learn to play it in a basic way.
Last Edited by Grey Owl on Sep 24, 2015 8:40 AM
SteveTech wrote, "Also, I always played with the band. Why? All the great band leaders did it, the students love it, and it earns instant respect."
A little over a year ago I was asked to lead a band made up of Scouts from my son's scout troop. When I asked advice form members of this site one of the things I heard was to play with the band. That was good advice. These kids are mostly middle school age and are not very confident yet. They play much better when they have a lead to follow and know if they miss a note, things won't go silent. We don't have much of a band but we have played a few some songs at scout functions. Rehearsals are more like small group music lessons. I have learned as much, if not more than I have taught the kids by doing this.
