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I noticed the more I correct what my student is wrong, the more discouraged they become. I used to think that I’m helping them by correcting their every wrong note, rhythm, or missing detail. However after many years of teaching and dealing with the effects of losing students, I realized the key is to focus on what they are doing right. Especially the personality types who love to please. I have students who so want to please me so when they think they are not doing a good job, they will be tempted to quit or not practice. I’ve found that focusing on what they are doing right versus what they are doing wrong is much more effective in motivating students to keep practicing because they think they are actually improving and making progress. That doesn’t mean you never correct them on bad habits, but as a teacher, you don’t need to point out every single mistake. If you do so over time, the student may think they just suck at their instrument and quit. So keep encouraging them with praises and slip in some correction/feedback here and there. Next thing you know, the student will automatically know their mistakes are without you telling them and even better, they will independently want to do better without you pushing them. It’s like “autocorrect.” Stay tuned because m next blog will be how to help your students be their best music coach for themselves during their own practice times apart from their lesson time. This is an important goal I work towards with my students.
