It's been quite a while since I wrote anything on this site. Seeing that there is a link to it from my LinkedIn page, it seemed sensible to get up to date and share some of my latest musings. In fact, I had somewhat forgotten about LinkedIn as well, until I discovered that a few of my recent piano families had found me there. With that in mind, I have made sure to update information, as well as here, especially as my teaching has now reached a wider geographical coverage.
Over the last eleven years my work as a piano teacher in private practice has therefore evolved. When last I posted here, I was running quite a big private practice six days a week. Four years later I relocated from my premises in central Edinburgh to a more suburban setting. With this came some changes, notably a more scaled-down schedule, although I was still very busy with my teaching. I had some opportunities to travel to the Irish Republic to help with some piano instruction, as well as teaching on occasional workshops there, and in Scotland and England.
I have gradually reduced this type of work, wishing instead to focus entirely on my own pupils, both adults and those who are school-aged. I regard myself first and foremost as a piano teacher with a specialist interest in Suzuki teaching. I believe my wider experience of the former over many years, in association with the latter, enables me to see the big picture in terms of piano tuition. This, coupled with my years spent as a class music teacher in secondary schools, and an interest in the development of creativity through music composition, has enabled me to serve my pupils in a broader sense as well. Also, with my interest in writing, I have been able to help students with essay assignments, mission statements etc.
Having stated that I wanted to focus on my Edinburgh pupils, the onset of Covid-19 has most certainly widened the net. For example, a number of ex school pupils still study with me on a more consultational basis, and as students do, they move around. This means that I can teach pupils currently as far as away as the United States, via Zoom.
Nineteen months ago, I had never heard of the latter facility, until one of the parents here told me about it. Formerly I had done a bit of teaching on Skype, which I never liked using. Luckily though, thanks to doing that, I already possessed an external camera so I was well set up. Admittedly it was all a bit trial and error to start with, but over time things settled down. I took the opportunity to develop my skills as an online teacher and quickly discovered that I could get this to work well. It has required more input from parents of school-aged pupils at home, but then the Suzuki method, if it is to work at all effectively, needs this, so it has been a very good thing! Pupils also, have had to focus and concentrate more while having online lessons, also a big plus. And of course, I have been able to act as a spy, gaining an insight into the type of instruments in homes, and the way pupils were sitting at their various pianos, allowing me to give advice. Additionally, I was able to set up a WhatsApp Concert Festival group in the springtime, and uni students, as well as the school-aged pupils, all participated in the sharing of concert items via video clips. Thus grew a happy, nurturing community, inspired by each other's notable achievements.
Looking at various forums, it seemed to me, at the outset of the pandemic, that not all piano teachers liked to work this way which resulted in their pupil numbers soon falling off. This was not my experience at all. The reverse, in fact. I believe that this was because I threw everything I had into it, fascinated about the possible avenues that could open up in the future. Indeed a more flexible lifestyle which might include a combi of online teaching; one-on-one, face-to-face tuition; the continued sharing of practice clips; and Zoom, for a fully satisfactory, all-round approach.
In my opinion, each facility has something special to offer. Not only that, but as we approach the COP summit in Glasgow this week, a greater emphasis on the "stay-at-home" approach is the way to be going these days, I believe. Not only does it keep the sharing of infections to a limit - something I have to watch with respiratory diseases, being an asthma sufferer, but it helps keep cars off the road, reducing pollution. It also saves time travelling to and from lessons, important when petrol prices are rising. I like to think that in my own small way, I am helping to contribute to this new future which many are already embracing as a result of Covid.
Is it perfect? No. But neither is the frustration of getting stuck in city traffic jams, braving inclement weather conditions, and sharing infection around. Had I felt that in any way my pupils were suffering as a result of going online by not making progress, I would have stopped teaching. The reverse has happened, notably exemplified by the acquisition of some stunning practical graded examination results with the introduction of new digital exams this year. Sure, some families have opted out, but without wishing to sound unkind, I suspected that the Suzuki approach to teaching was not really the best option for them anyway. It took Covid to highlight that, as well as bringing out the very best in those who have carried on, and those who have subsequently joined, each in their own way experiencing remarkable achievement.
For now I am continuing my teaching in the way I have been doing so for the last nineteen months, onwards and upwards. Only when it feels completely safe for me to do so will I be ready to give some tuition from time to time in person. Meanwhile, I like to dwell upon the many positives that have emerged from the 'new normal'.
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