Communicating with Teachers, How? Options

[barncottagecat]

Yes but teaching a musical instrument ins't like teaching maths or french is it? There is such a great physical element - how to hold your bow, fiddle, clarinet, bassoon, how to blow, how to breathe how to stand, correct position of your hands on the piano, not to mention how to read/interpret the music/time signature etc........

Also, school music lessons are often only 1/2 hour a week. That's not a lot of contact time to get things embedded. If kids don't understand something at school they can usually ask a friend, or a teacher, or mostly parents can at least have a go at homework, but that doesn't always apply to musical instruments. It's no good if you're the only bassoonist/oboist/double bass player in your school, and you've got stuck on something, and no one at home knows how to help or who to contact.

Case in point - daughter called her violin teacher tonight as she's in the "talent show" tomorrow and got stuck on her bowing - was a 30 second call, he was happy to help, she could get on with her practice. It's not a regular occurrence, but great to be able to do it if necessary.

Even though I had good relationships with the two school peripatetic teachers my children have had, all our music lessons are now out of school. Progress is much quicker, enjoyment greater.

[Dulciana]

Speaking as a Music Service peri, I'd most definitely NOT want parents having my personal email address! I get enough rubbish already! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) If I had a school email address it would be different, but I still think we are entitled to a bit of privacy in the same way that class teachers are - i.e. contactable through the school or the Music Service. I don't see why that shouldn't be sufficient. I am always quite happy to phone parents.

It could be a while before you get the message, "Please phone me", though. It might be something that cropped up in a lesson that the parent wants to discuss, and if the parent writes "Please phone me" in the notebook it will a week before you see it. An exam or performance might be imminent. My experiences of going through school secretaries have not always been good. It is this lack of communication that is a main reason for my never having been keen to use peris; I would always opt for a private, out of school, teacher wherever possible.

[Hedgehog]

Even though I had good relationships with the two school peripatetic teachers my children have had, all our music lessons are now out of school. Progress is much quicker, enjoyment greater.

As both parent and teacher I would agree with this, though I don't understand why. The lessons I give in school are the same length as the private ones (on the whole). The only conclusion I've come to is that coming to a private lesson gives the opportunity for the pupil to be more focussed - ie I'm here for piano, and nothing else, whereas at school some part of the brain is still pondering on what the friends are doing, or what is going on in class.

It isn't always the case, of course, there are always exceptions, and my son made very rapid progress with his trumpet at school in the early days. It'll also depend on the teacher and ethos of the school.

[MusicalNitWit]

If I could do things differently it would be never to have a peri teacher. All communication has to go through the Head of Music and they make the decision not the Peri. So for example, I asked for some extra lessons in the holidays and the HoM said no without mentioning it to the Peris. If a Peri is off then the lesson cannot be made up and if a child has a compulsory sports match then the lesson is missed and not made up either.

The latest difficulty is DS saying that his chair is too small when he plays the DB and notes stating that he must correct posture. With a non-Peri I could go in and ask to see how DS should be sitting, the best seat to use etc.

When I think about it, it is madnes that we pay money for a service and are not allowed to have any input or communication with the tutor. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

I think DS is also at the stage where he could benefit from a 45 minute lesson but that is not going to happen!

[Seer_Green]

When I think about it, it is madnes that we pay money for a service and are not allowed to have any input or communication with the tutor. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

But this is not the case everywhere, and it certainly wasn't the case when I was at school. If you're not happy, why not change to a private teacher - it would solve all these problems you face and probably be infinitely better value.

[Violin Hero]

When I took lessons at school my parents got the half termly report and taht was that. Whe I had lessons at home my Mum would probably ask my teacher aboput every 3 weeks what eh thought my progress was. Of course as he was such a brilliant teacher my progress was rather quick.

In his words to my mum "He could be a great violinist." I thinks he already knew that but hearing it from him proved that the expense was worthwhile.

I think parents have the right to an input into lessons and what they think their child would like or needs to be taught. Obviously the teacher has the final say as they are the expert. You would not expect a pupil to go to a elsson and not have any say in what they learn and what exams or festivals they eneter? It is the same for parents, they like to know that their money is well spent.

[MusicalNitWit]

SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC!

How do I ask DS Peri teacher if they would consider teaching him outside of school? What if he says no? He is the only teacher of that instrument within a 40 mile radius (someone mentioned on here) and he is really good so I still want him to have lessons with him. I am worried that even if he thought it was a good idea he would not be happy taking a pupil from the school he works for and I could annoy him and the music department.

The situation is not perfect as it stands. His lesson is on a Saturday so because of holidays and Exeats DS averages between 6-7 lessons a term and then I have to take him to his tutor to make up for the shortfall.

[Czerny]

SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC!

How do I ask DS Peri teacher if they would consider teaching him outside of school? What if he says no? He is the only teacher of that instrument within a 40 mile radius (someone mentioned on here) and he is really good so I still want him to have lessons with him. I am worried that even if he thought it was a good idea he would not be happy taking a pupil from the school he works for and I could annoy him and the music department.

The situation is not perfect as it stands. His lesson is on a Saturday so because of holidays and Exeats DS averages between 6-7 lessons a term and then I have to take him to his tutor to make up for the shortfall.

Unless this teacher is seriously touchy he shouldn't be annoyed simply to be asked. Perhaps read the terms and conditions issued by the school first, in case this is expressly forbidden for some reason. If not, speak to the Music Department to check it's ok in principle, and also ask him direct (as obviously he has to have spaces, even if he's willing) - what else can you do? You won't get an answer any other way. I have a few pupils I teach both in and out of school - perhaps that would be a possible compromise?

[tonedeafmum]

SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC!

How do I ask DS Peri teacher if they would consider teaching him outside of school? What if he says no? He is the only teacher of that instrument within a 40 mile radius (someone mentioned on here) and he is really good so I still want him to have lessons with him. I am worried that even if he thought it was a good idea he would not be happy taking a pupil from the school he works for and I could annoy him and the music department.

The situation is not perfect as it stands. His lesson is on a Saturday so because of holidays and Exeats DS averages between 6-7 lessons a term and then I have to take him to his tutor to make up for the shortfall.

I don't think the teacher would be annoyed. He must be aware that 6-7 lessons a term (that's a maximum of 21 a year!) is not the best way for a child to make progress on an instrument. I would check with the school first (and I'd go straight to the central School Admin rather than the Music Department) and then contact the teacher direct - if he takes private pupils then he'll have a number or email that you can get hold of online. As Czerny says, he may be willing to teach your DS in school in term time and privately in the holidays. B1's violin teacher gives private lessons if she's available in the holidays. One girl she teaches started as a peri pupil, became a private pupil when she went to secondary school and went back to in school lessons when she started Music GCSE - all with the same teacher.

I think maybe the important thing (if you're feeling very anxious about offending anyone) is to word your enquiry as if you are keen to make a good system better rather than focusing on the negatives about the peri teaching method. After all your son has made excellent progress so far so you don't want to sound too critical. Isn't there a saying about catching more bees with honey than with vinegar? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Roseau]

The latest difficulty is DS saying that his chair is too small when he plays the DB and notes stating that he must correct posture. With a non-Peri I could go in and ask to see how DS should be sitting, the best seat to use etc.

Possibly things are different in France but I happen to know that double bass teachers here tell their lower grade pupils to practise standing. One of my eleven-year-old daughter's friends has recently "progressed" to being allowed to use a bar stool (one of those ones whose height you can adjust by pressing a lever, the teacher's argument being that the height can be adjusted down as she grows).

[jessy]

Speaking as a Music Service peri, I'd most definitely NOT want parents having my personal email address! I get enough rubbish already! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) If I had a school email address it would be different, but I still think we are entitled to a bit of privacy in the same way that class teachers are - i.e. contactable through the school or the Music Service. I don't see why that shouldn't be sufficient. I am always quite happy to phone parents.

It could be a while before you get the message, "Please phone me", though. It might be something that cropped up in a lesson that the parent wants to discuss, and if the parent writes "Please phone me" in the notebook it will a week before you see it. An exam or performance might be imminent. My experiences of going through school secretaries have not always been good. It is this lack of communication that is a main reason for my never having been keen to use peris; I would always opt for a private, out of school, teacher wherever possible.

I hate to think that all school peris and school staff are as badly thought of as some of these posts suggest! I learnt through a school peri and made (I think!) good progress. My own children are taught, in some instances, by school peris and there's never been any difficulty in contacting them. Some children like learning their instrument in school and being a part of that set-up and of course not all parents are able to take children to out-of-school lessons.

Certainly our Music service office staff are really good at contacting we peris with details of any parents who might have rung them and the Music Service details are in all their Practice Diaries.

I usually do about 12 lessons per term, as do most of the peris I know, rather more than the 6 -7 mentioned here.

[tonedeafmum]

I hate to think that all school peris and school staff are as badly thought of as some of these posts suggest!

Do they suggest that? Just had a quick look back and I don't think anyone has criticised their peri teacher - only said that they are harder to contact than a private teacher - which even with the most helpful school secretary or Music Service admin in the world would possibly always be the case.

Certainly my daughter and I value her peri teacher every bit as highly as her private teacher and yes, Jessy, you're right - it is very convenient to have the lessons at school as we don't have another free evening in the week.

[jessy]

I hate to think that all school peris and school staff are as badly thought of as some of these posts suggest!

Do they suggest that? Just had a quick look back and I don't think anyone has criticised their peri teacher - only said that they are harder to contact than a private teacher - which even with the most helpful school secretary or Music Service admin in the world would possibly always be the case.

Certainly my daughter and I value her peri teacher every bit as highly as her private teacher and yes, Jessy, you're right - it is very convenient to have the lessons at school as we don't have another free evening in the week.

Obviously I am referring to us being less than good at contacting or being contacted by parents - we're certainly criticizied over that here. I just think it's a different set-up being a peri in school and as parents we have to realise that.

I have weekly contact with my daughter's school peri teacher via the practice diary and I know I can ring the school with a message and she will get back to me. Likewise, I ring parents who want to speak to me, always on the same day, or as near as possible to the time they've said is convenient.

[Dulcet]

Speaking as a Music Service peri, I'd most definitely NOT want parents having my personal email address! I get enough rubbish already! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) If I had a school email address it would be different, but I still think we are entitled to a bit of privacy in the same way that class teachers are - i.e. contactable through the school or the Music Service. I don't see why that shouldn't be sufficient. I am always quite happy to phone parents.

I suppose the thing that bugs me is that we are never given any information - so it's probably actually a school problem. It hacks me off big time the way it's organised at my children's school - we get told that our child has expressed an interest in learning an instrument, told that we will hear when there's a place and that's about it! I would do it differently... to put it mildly. But I get so angry thinking about it that I really don't want to type it all up here...

[MusicalNitWit]

Well I cannot communicate, apart from the notebook, at all with the peri without it going through the Head of Music and if he sees fit he decides to converse/tell me what to do without the info ever getting to the teacher!