I have always liked teaching, whether music, choir, handbells, geography (yes, that happened for years!) or harp. The joy of teaching comes not from the thought that I have imparted some great wisdom, but instead from the reaction of the student who finally ‘gets it’. That ‘mind blown’ moment of success, usually accompanied by a smile and a long ‘ohhhh!’ I also find that as I teach I continue to learn.
Two of my current students are at different stages in life, and each learns music from very different perspectives. One, a ‘seasoned’ health care professional, is very meticulous about all aspects of the lesson, from posture and position to theory, vibrations and tuning. The other, a middle school student, sees the introduction of a new tune as personal challenge, quickly absorbing each measure, line and page. Memorization will occur quickly, with beautiful style and presentation to follow.
Both students are wonderful to work with and both are correct in their individual approaches, given their age and life experience. We all see, hear and prioritize differently. Their differences require me to look at music and it’s presentation from different angles, to help understand different points of view and what is enjoyable about a new method or tune. I might teach the same lesson in two different ways to achieve that ‘aha’ from each student. It’s a little like comparing children; they all learn to walk and talk, but never the same way.
Many years ago my children attended (and I taught at) a school with a Latin motto ‘Siempre adelante’, meaning ‘always forward’. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach others, to challenge them and myself, to continue moving forward in a new discipline and see life from a different perspective. I love the view from behind the harp. Give it a try – you might get hooked! Contact me for information on lessons.
Happy Spring, everyone!
