What Can You Do With Parents?, or am I just a crosspatch teacher? Options

[Deborah]

Have recovered from Wednesday's annoyance now....
Yesterday a 7 year old boy coming for his 3rd ever lesson had written 'thank you, it's fun' in his notebook and promised me front row tickets when he is famous.

Cute!

I don't have an issue with parental involvement all the time their involvement isn't disruptive. Surely the best that a parent can do is to be supportive of their child's music-making, even (or especially) if they aren't musical themselves.

Pupil's mum sometimes sits in on lessons. They are obviously close, (but not still at the breastfeeding stage (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)), and whilst I'm heartened to see how close they are, she can sometimes be a bit disruptive. I've found that scales are enough to send her off to a book, and that if it's summer I can successfully shunt her into the garden.

I wonder if nannyjay's pupil's clarinet teacher was tricked into making comments on the child's piano playing, or if he/she really is touting for business. Must ostracise them from the clarinet community if the latter...

As for two teachers for the same instrument, there was a thread about it a while ago, and it was generally agreed that it isn't a good idea.

[sarah-flute]

That's great, sbhoa!

[noodle]

I wonder if nannyjay's pupil's clarinet teacher was tricked into making comments on the child's piano playing, or if he/she really is touting for business. Must ostracise them from the clarinet community if the latter...

As for two teachers for the same instrument, there was a thread about it a while ago, and it was generally agreed that it isn't a good idea.

That occurred to me too. Maybe the child's mother said to the clarinet teacher that his piano teacher was ill and the clarinet offered to help in the meantime. I'm sure the clarinet teacher wouldn't like someone interfering with his student.

[nannyjay]

This boy took his Grade 4 exam today. He also took Grade 4 flute today.

He rang me to tell me how he got on, and said that he had done wonderfully well. I questioned him further, and he said all three pieces were perfect, scales were beautifully played, aurals were excellent and the sight reading was easy. Hmm. Nothing like self-confidence is there? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[nannyjay]

Update on Grade 4 exam for this boy - distinction with 134 marks, so he was probably right, and everything was well performed. I'm really pleased, but also feel a bit peeved that he did so well when his mother was obviously questioning my teaching. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[ringaringa]

Hopefully she will stop questioning it now.

[maggiemay]

Update on Grade 4 exam for this boy - distinction with 134 marks, so he was probably right, and everything was well performed. I'm really pleased, but also feel a bit peeved that he did so well when his mother was obviously questioning my teaching. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Yes - let's hope this gives her the answer she needs!

An excellent result Nannyjay - well done to you and your pupil. Mine all passed this time, but apart from one vg theory result, marks (for practicals) were well down on the usual level.

Remembering a previous post of a few months ago when you wondered whether you should still be teaching - hope your pupil's result gives you a resounding YES !!

[nannyjay]

You are absolutely right, Maggie, it does make it all worthwhile doesn't it, and I think when I posted that item about retirement I was just having a senior moment.

I have only come recently to these forums, but I have felt so much kindness and support from everyone, thank you all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Suepea]

Well done to you and your pupil, nannyjay - that was a great result. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[sbhoa]

AAAGH!! Here we go again.
7 year old boy who started 2 months ago just turned up for the third week running without books (apparently mum tidied the bedroom and his music book is on top of the wardrobe!!) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) .
Had words with both him and his dad and also wrote a note on the paper with his practice instructions on.
Normally I have the books people are using but in this case I had agreed to let him use one which he already had to start with.
Hope this does not continue after christmas!

[ringaringa]

Spend whatever time you would doing aural, theory etc. and then send him home. I think missing out on a chunk of lesson should concentrate his parents minds.

[nannyjay]

Yes, having a whole lesson (or whole lessons) of aural and theory, with no playing, may make him remember his music next time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[chocolatedog]

I get the same kind of excuses - the cleaner moved it, etc. I've had some interesting ones over the years! One was really strange - we've just moved house and can't find which room the piano is in!!! Is the house really that big???!!!

[dacapo]

I get the same kind of excuses - the cleaner moved it, etc. I've had some interesting ones over the years! One was really strange - we've just moved house and can't find which room the piano is in!!! Is the house really that big???!!!

Electric piano perhaps? Legs removed, keyboard packed into its box for the move and still in it?? Under the bed? Behind the wardrobe? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)