Violin Teachers Hate Adult Learners!

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Permalink Reply by Monica Hesse on November 17, 2009 at 1:34pm

Your comment made me laugh!

Ann Marie Cordial said:

I am an adult beginner who, 4 years ago, did not even know how to hold a violin or a bow. My instructor is a saint - for having put up with me (still). I began a child's book with drawings of half-apples for half-notes and the like, and notes the size of peas. I didn't care. I was so exhilarated in learning the violin, I just dug right into it.

To illustrate how 'bad' I was, I remember asking my teacher,"What is that little black box in the middle of the page?"

"It's a Rest,"he said.

"Oh good! How long do I get to rest?"

"One beat. Now move!"

I always have (and continue to always) do my best for him. However, I can tell that the questions I ask catch him off-guard sometimes. Still, he enjoys my lessons I think as much as I enjoy learning from him. I've gone from "peas" notes to Sevcik Book II and Hans Sitt Book II in 3 years. On viola, I am still in Sevcik Book I. I practice for about an hour every weekday and 4 hours/day on weekends.

Don't give up on us adults. Some of us out there really try and love our instructors for putting up with us.

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Permalink Reply by Elyse Bushman on November 23, 2009 at 6:56am

I personally have several adult students, and they are doing very well. I think every teacher probably has their own "specialties". I do best with students 7 to 70, but I know another teacher that does great with the younger kids, age 3 to 6. I think after taking on students of a different age group, you begin learning what your style is and the best age group for yourself. My adult students pick up new concepts faster, but I find that they need more practice time than my younger students. I also take a look at what their goals are. Most of them just want to be able to play a certain style of music or want to play with a specific orchestra or group. It helps to have a clear objective.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Ellen Anthony on November 26, 2009 at 9:49am

Thank you for your kind words. However, I do have a problem with the "Things 4 Strings" gadget. I ordered it, watched the "how-to" video and still I cannot make it work. My thumb hurts each time I use it. So, I put it into a drawer along with a lot of other "stuff" designed to make me a better player..but, which hasn't helped much.

Also, I appreciate all of the kind words about beginning adult players. I am a 73 year young student and am still trying to get a decent tone. BTW, I am studying on my own. Teachers are hard to find in my area. So, I MUST practice and be very self-disciplined. I believe that most adults are. We put a lot of money, time and effort into our instruments and we want to achieve our goal. Maybe that is to be a first-class violinist or perhaps like me, to be a decent fiddler. Either way, we want to see success.

Ruth Brons said:

Adult learners can be great! You just have to consider how many demands there are on their time, and that there is usually an interest in getting the learning done as efficiently as possible. Just as for younger learners, the attrition rate will be in direct correlation to how soon the player may enjoy a group experience -- community orchestra, youth orchestra [yes, many allow adults!], chamber groups, duet partners, jam sessions....just look at the success of Suzuki violin programs that provide a group experience right from the beginning! SO, the teaching of the beginning adult student needs to be geared to rapidly equipping the player with the basics -- bow hold, basic left hand, note reading and "faking" strategies for beginning ensembles.
To help knock the bow hold off this list, check out the brand-new, patent-pending, instant-bow hold bow accessories at www.things4strings.com .
Then, on to the rest of the list!

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Permalink Reply by Ruth Brons on November 27, 2009 at 8:59am

Hi Mary,

Regarding your Bow Hold Buddies[tm] bow accessory, I have two suggestions for you: 1] try re-positioning the foot of the accessory "frog" onto the hair of the bow to allow for a little more thumb room, or 2] simply by-pass the thumb hood altogether and put the tip of your flexed thumb on the bottom of the frog [the other features of the accessory will still benefit your bow hold by preventing upward creeping or over-wrapping of the hand, and your pinky will be supported.
If the accessory is still not working for you, remember your are welcome to return it for a refund.


Mary Ellen Anthony said:

Thank you for your kind words. However, I do have a problem with the "Things 4 Strings" gadget. I ordered it, watched the "how-to" video and still I cannot make it work. My thumb hurts each time I use it. So, I put it into a drawer along with a lot of other "stuff" designed to make me a better player..but, which hasn't helped much.

Also, I appreciate all of the kind words about beginning adult players. I am a 73 year young student and am still trying to get a decent tone. BTW, I am studying on my own. Teachers are hard to find in my area. So, I MUST practice and be very self-disciplined. I believe that most adults are. We put a lot of money, time and effort into our instruments and we want to achieve our goal. Maybe that is to be a first-class violinist or perhaps like me, to be a decent fiddler. Either way, we want to see success.

Ruth Brons said:

Adult learners can be great! You just have to consider how many demands there are on their time, and that there is usually an interest in getting the learning done as efficiently as possible. Just as for younger learners, the attrition rate will be in direct correlation to how soon the player may enjoy a group experience -- community orchestra, youth orchestra [yes, many allow adults!], chamber groups, duet partners, jam sessions....just look at the success of Suzuki violin programs that provide a group experience right from the beginning! SO, the teaching of the beginning adult student needs to be geared to rapidly equipping the player with the basics -- bow hold, basic left hand, note reading and "faking" strategies for beginning ensembles.
To help knock the bow hold off this list, check out the brand-new, patent-pending, instant-bow hold bow accessories at www.things4strings.com .
Then, on to the rest of the list!

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Baird on December 4, 2009 at 11:46am

In my case as a child I hated lessons, piano, instrumental, voice you name it. But as an adult I am enjoying lessons (and practicing) more than I ever did as a child. I have had only two teachers so far, but both have enjoyed working with me since they could dive into the cello literature without needing to teach theory. But that is just my case. I encourage any adult contemplating learning an instrument to give it a go!

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Permalink Reply by A Jay on December 4, 2009 at 1:34pm

I think that adults are very easy to teach. Having taught hundreds of students around the country, I have always preferred teaching adults because they respond, understand, and remember things way better than a younger kid. When its eight o clock at night and you have to teach a 3 year old kid how to hold his bow, you will be wishing that it was a excited 50 year old grandma sitting there.

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Permalink Reply by Hans Klein on January 18, 2010 at 5:56pm

Everybody is capable of learning and making progress. Who are we as teachers to say that if it's not rapid progress the person shouldn't learn to enjoy the beauty of music more through getting a wee bit better at making it themselves!

There are frustrating things about teaching all age levels (at least for an easily frustrated person like myself). But there's something different and rewarding about each individual student... blah... blah... more sappy sounding stuff! ;)

But seriously, I actually love teaching adults. I've only had three adult students but I immensely enjoyed being able to use the full range of my vocabulary and to go more in depth with some of the conceptual aspects of music. My only complaint? Adult beginners seem to get discouraged and feel "embarrassed" or out of place showing up for a lesson right after a 5 yr. old comes out of the lesson room! And they don't have parents to "make" them keep practicing and taking lessons so it really has to be a commitment on their part.

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Permalink Reply by Diane Allen on January 20, 2010 at 8:16am

Here's a first experience for me in 23 years of teaching!
My 55 year old student brought her Mom to her lesson. Her Mom has Alzheimers. She got her Mom situated in a chair. The Mom was so sweet and content. My student poured on the extra focus like I'd never seen her do before and had a fabulous lesson. The Mom made compliments throughout the lesson, smiled and cheered along the way.

I was so excited by the atmosphere that I told them I wanted the Mom to sit there all week and enjoy and cheer on all my students!!!

Diane
www.myviolinvideos.com

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Permalink Reply by Hans Klein on January 20, 2010 at 12:34pm

Heartwarming story, Diane! Love it.

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Permalink Reply by sharon h on March 2, 2010 at 4:50pm

I started violin at 20. I was fortunate enough to return to the lovely teacher who had tried to teach me piano as a child. As a child, practice was intermittent, even though I loved playing. If I didn't understand something, I pretended I did. As an adult, I practice daily and practice everything, not just my favourites.

Unfortunately, we were relocated for work. My 60 year old mother took over my lesson time though and completed her first piano exam at 63.

Returning to the city I found a new teacher last year. I am 30 and doing my level 3 AMEB exam this year. I have now had 3 teachers and none have had issues with my age. I am determined to learn and I am practicing 90 minutes per day. I have a minor in music at university and have learnt piano, guitar, trumpet and percussion to a low level as a child/teenager. I know I am a better student now than I was in my younger years.

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