Hi Everyone---Would appreciate input from parents, teachers, & students alike. Please bare with me...this post is a little long but i am sorting out my feelings on this subject...

* I have two children that are taking CELLO lessons (16 & 10).
My eldest is going on her 4th year & the youngest has been taking them for almost a year.

They`ve had previous lessons thru` public school, previous cello instructor, & also youth orchestra.

They`re still involved in youth orchestra. But we switched cello teachers because our previous teacher was out of the country. (They really enjoyed the previous teacher---she`s a wonderful cellist & has a great way with kids...they were only with her for about 3 months before she left town).

* This current teacher is quite intense...& quite a gifted performer. She`s won many awards & her style of teaching is very strict, extremely demanding, & requires much commitment from her students. She also requires much from the parents & of couse expects no interference from the parents re: their children & their music lessons.

She offers what she calls: "Music Education", & not just "music lessons". In other words, her lessons raise the bar very high re: cello lessons.

* I do not want to sound over-protective, so gorgive me. I know my children are learning quite a bit...& my eldest has had to break some bad cello -playing habits learned from school, etc.

The girls are keeping their mind open to this new & intense style & both admit to learning much more than before. They now practice their music without looking at the music papers, & are required to memorize all music for practices & performances after 4th week of receiving music. The girls have weekly, one hour lessons.

*** But sometimes the girls come out of the lessons a bit teary eyed. Sometimes my little one doesn`t feel as enthusiastic to go to the lessons...yet I want her to learn as much as possible. The teacher says that her style of teaching is to get the best out of the kids & she will only work with children who are very commited to learning cello. She doesn`t tolerate tears or continued frustration. She wants them to be the best that they can be. She is not going to tell them they are doing well when they simply aren`t. That includes telling my youngest during group lessons that she had better improve or she will let everyone down and ruin the performance.

* OKAY---so is this what I should expect of music lessons? I know that she`s an excellent cellist, etc. But is she too strict??? should the girls be feeling this way about their teacher??? I have spoken to her...asking that she use a lighter touch or a different approach...that it`s not necessary to be so harsh with the kids because they are very motivated to learn...but I received a very long lecture. I am not to interfere with her teaching style...and maybe I should find another teacher who won`t expect so much.

****NOTE: My eldest said she has learned more with this teacher and wants to stay because of it...the youngest says she can tolerate her.

ANY suggestions?...& I am not a parent who wants my children to be pacified or to just play the cello recreationally...they want to learn & I am doing the best I can for them...I also want the girls expectations of cello to be high. But I also want them to look forward to their classes, in spite of the difficulty in learning to play well. I just thought that it`s something that can be enjoyed, too. Am I wrong?

As I am not a music student & haven`t a background in music...maybe I am not understanding the frame of mind one needs to be in, in order to succeed.
THANKS!

I, myself, have never learned the cello, but I have tried (not seriously) the violin. I do, however, play the piano, and my teacher (I am a student, currently in grade 8 piano, grade 11 at school) is a little strict, though not, according to my impression from your post, to the extent of your cellist. Although I strongly believe that a strict teacher definetly makes for a better player, I think that some of the demands your teacher is making of her students are, perhaps, a little harsh. Kids need fun as well as structure, but I believe that, ultimately, it should be your children`s guilt-free decision of what to do in this situation.

Hi I say that you should keep your oldest child with the strict teacher because she obviously is learning a lot but take your youngest and get her a different teacher thats just what I would do

Thanks for the replies...it`s food for thought.

where does the teacher live and whats her name because that kinda sounds like my teacher

In Southern, CA. How `bout yours?

I think it just goes with the territory. After having a talk with her, & after much discussion, she finally agreed to tone down, a bit, in how harsh she talks to the girls. So things are better in that way, now. I want her to continue with the high standards & expectations.

I just think it can be handled a bit differently. I don`t want to infringe on her style of teaching, etc...just want her not to be so harsh that the girls are getting toward tears.

And no...they aren`t hyper-sensitive...just not used to a drill sergeant mentality when it comes to learning music. The girls are toughening up...so I guess that`s good, too.