I have a flute student who seems to fight me every step of the way on playing any pieces that are not at 120 bpm. I have a very hard time getting her to play with any musicality.

Do any other teachers here have suggestions to this?

Do any student have a story about something a teacher did that inspired you to try something new?

boy this sounds familiar...

have them picture how the piece would sound were it music for a movie, explain to them that movies need slow and fast music, it is about mood and character, not so much tempo, they should be able to connect with that, we all like movie music

I also require students to name the etude or numbered piece they are working on, a piece has more meaning if it is called "running stream in the woods" instead of #14 in E minor

a couple of my students do the same thing... i used to as well when i first started in my lessons. my teacher and i would go thorugh my music and tell what the music reminded you of at certain points, then elaborate from that and make a story out of it. i remember in this piece we played in band last year it was called danse diabolique. i told my band director of the sotry thing and how this one section reminded me of a fairy and this other reminded me of the big bad wolf. so we brainstormed in class about the story and how the worlf would chase the fairy, the fairy would tease the wolf, blah blah blah. it worked wonders! we played the piece so musically, it was amazing. make stories. dont be afraid to tell jokes. make the student laugh whenever they think about a certain section in their piece (i tend to use the phrase "its raining men" alot... and it works!)

you were lucky to have such a good teacher and band director, go back and thank them

really? i know my private teacher is wonderful. shes a great lady and an amazing flutist. but my band director is still hanging onto his youth, so he tries to "be in the crowd" with us students.

but thats really a good thing? huh... yay!

he taught you to use your imagination, something rare now days

Do any student have a story about something a teacher did that inspired you to try something new

my dad is my teacher...he's also a musician(and a singer/songwriter)
when i was young i really hate learning new things...
his process of educating is really tough and i felt that music just hates me...

then he brought me to one of his concerts..i was at backstage and i heard the crowd roaring with cheers and nonstop applause..
the show was amazing...it really inspired me to continue with music.
i told him i wanted to be just like him when i grow older.
then he said he was glad to hear it,and he would help me achieve my ambitions.

he made me relize that "every success is a fruit of hardwork"(i kinnda translated it, he said it in filipino)

even up to now i'm still learning new things in music thanx to my teacher(dad).

---kishi



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sory,

relize= realize

Listening to other talented musicians always inspires me to play better. It also helps me to listen for style..musical expression. TONE..
Listening is a great thing! I love when i get to hear my teacher play. It's very pretty

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OH! and also i've learned so much through listening..it's amazing how listening in a band can let your learn so much.

I used to play the piano and i did it because my mom liked it. So, i did it for my mom. I had 5 different teachers in 3 years because they all ended up moving away. All had different reasons too. Anyways, i ended up quiting piano and found my love for flute.
Playing piano was kinda forced and i didn't want to do it..
AND flute was something i LOVE to do in my free time so i still continue to do it.
I dunno, i just wanted to share that with you guys

nice story Kishi, I also come from a talented family, but I am the only musician, but my ancestors I never knew were musicians too, I have often felt their unseen hands pushing me when things looked bleak

Same here i'm the only musician in the family. Well, my younger brother picked up the violin..other than that there isn't anything else. My dad sings are in the house though...
I guess we're all meant for different things!..

I might try having her write out a story for the music. It will be something else I can attempt. We have tried the visualizing the piece before and little results have come from them. Unfortunately, this kiddo has a tendency to fall a little on her lazy side during lesson and specifically in the summer.

ahhh..i wonder if that kid wants to have lessons or is forced to by their parents. I had to BEG my parents for private lessons..that's why i give a lot of effort in flute playing. I mean since lessons are not free and i have the opportunity to even get lessons..i'm HAPPY^_^

She wants to take lessons, however she is a bit of a silver spoon child. I think because she doesn't have to work for much else she thinks she doesn't have to work on flute either. She drives me nuts on occassion, but she has amazing potential. I have found her by far my most puzzling student.

Maybe you could tell her the amazing potential she has. I ALWAYS need the extra push..and the extra "you're an amazing musician" kind of chat. I never knew what ppl thought of me as a musician.. I dunno. It's always nice to hear commpliments to keep me going!
OH! but too much makes me want to slack off though.
I don't know what i'm saying!^^

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"i don't know what i'm saying!^^"
**Meaning..."i'm confused.."** heehee, i'm always confused-___-"