The Art of Tuning In

At the beginning of a lesson, I always try to tune into my students before “teaching.” I have found it to be essential in setting the tone for the rest of the lesson. A simple question as in, “How are you doing?” Or following up on an interest they have, a special event or just even giving a compliment can go a long way. Based on how the student responds, I can read the mood of the student ie. if they are tired, chatty, or excited about the lesson. If I can connect with the student somehow, get them to laugh or open up about something apart from learning music helps build rapport. It also opens up the student to receive feedback or praise from me. I’ve learned that spending even a few minutes of tuning in is so important to help the student want to learn. Even if it doesn’t feel productive, it’s actually the most productive thing you can do because by tuning in, they are more likely to engage in the lesson with me because they feel loved and cared for.