I’ve noticed that the more I correct a student’s mistakes, the more discouraged they become. Early in my teaching career, I thought pointing out every wrong note, rhythm, or missed detail was helping them improve. Over the years, after seeing students lose motivation or even quit, I realized the key is to focus on what they are doing right.
This is especially true for students who love to please. Some of them want so badly to make me proud that when they feel they are failing, they may stop practicing or lose confidence. By highlighting their progress and praising what they do well, I’ve found students stay motivated and engaged.
That doesn’t mean you ignore bad habits, but it’s not necessary to point out every single mistake. Too much correction can make students feel like they “just suck” at their instrument. Instead, give praise generously, and sprinkle corrections in subtly. Over time, students begin to recognize their own mistakes and take ownership of their improvement—what I like to call the “autocorrect” effect. They start striving to improve on their own without constant direction, which is a major goal in my teaching.
If you want to dive deeper into strategies for encouraging students and helping them practice independently, I share more insights and tools on my Membership Essential Plan. This plan provides guidance on how to help your students develop confidence, consistency, and self-coaching skills—so their growth continues even outside of lessons.
For beginner singers looking to practice songs that build confidence and technique, I also recommend checking out my Songs for Beginner Singers page. These songs are perfect for reinforcing what students are doing right while keeping practice fun and encouraging.
