Finding the Best Teacher
I've been re-reading Daniel Coyle's great The Little Book of Talent. His take on finding a great teacher?
1. Avoid Someone Who Reminds You of a Courteous Waiter.
2. Seek Someone Who Scares You a Little.
3. Seek Someone Who Gives Short, Clear Directions.
4. Seek Someone Who Loves Teaching Fundamentals.
5. Other Things Being Equial, Pick the Older Person. **
Does this list sound like anyone we all know and admire?
** I'm 73, so No. 5 is sort of n/a for me.
Coyle's book is brilliant, though I don't remember reading this list.
I definitely match 4 and 5.
I hope I don't come across as 1.
I'm not sure 2 is such a good idea; intimiating students generally doesn't help them unless they are burning with desire and have little fear (most have quite a lot of trepidation).
I'm good at 3, though I can easily lapse into a lot of detail. but I'm conscious of that and always summarize the essential points.
Winslow:
pp. 32-35 of The Little Book of Talent. By a teacher who "scrares you a little," Coyle is talking, among other things, a teacher who watches the student closely, and is honest about the student's performance, "sometimes unnervingly so," in a way that isn't personal, but is information the student needs.
That honesty needs to be termpered to meet the student's perceptions. E.g., I have worked with a great theatre director in our cabaret troupe. With younger or less experienced performers he'll introduce that truth very gently. Perhaps with, "That was good ... but what if we add (or subtract) this ...?" But he knows me well enough to be able to say things like, "That number just isn't going to work at all with the audience, so let's not do it." And to then explain his thinking, which is always spot on and very useful.
At my age and situation in life, I need and want to know when my performance stinks. I don't need a "courteous waiter" who won't give me the information I need to create a performance that doesn't stink.
OK. Yes, I always give students what they need to know, but always try to do it in a way that encourages rather than discourages.
I've only met you in person twice, but from your emails and your books and other writings (including here in the Forum), you are definitely one of the most encouraging people I know. And not only when it comes to harmonica playing.
Matches pretty well yes
Could easily find an older one I think, but not much scarier ;D I like the No.1 a lot hahaha