Pursuing Excellence as a Teacher of Singing, Piano and The ABC's
73Written by Audrey Hunt 2011- copyright. No part of this article may be reproduced or copied without permission of the author.
Do you have what it takes to be a great singing teacher?
"The highest of all callings, is that of a caring teacher" ~ Audrey Hunt
Not everyone that can sing, and wants to teach singing, is qualified to do so. And I'm not talking teachers who hold a degree to teach, or a masters in voice - anyone can qualify for a degree if they work hard enough. I'm also not talking about having such a beautiful voice, that other people may ask you to teach them how to sing. The qualifications for being an excellent teacher go much deeper than this.
Let's examine the qualities I am referring to.
- A great love for people of all ages, background, ethnicities and abilities.
- Patience - unending patience.
- A positive out look and attitude
- Compassion
- Understanding
- Non-critical
- Supportive
- Loyal
- Trusting
- A deep and profound love and understanding of human nature
- Focus
- A thirst for knowledge
- Consistently good-natured
- Fun
- Creative
- Caring
- Motivating
- Gentleness
- Encouraging
- Dependable
- Good sense of humor
- Inspiring
These are the basic elements that make an excellent teacher. And if you want to excel, you must not be satisfied with limiting yourself to be just a good teacher - go for greatness. Go for excellence.
Inspiration
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
William Arthur Ward
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Qualifications That Count + Initiative
Growing up, I always knew that I would one day be a teacher. And I knew that what I would teach would be music. I also knew that within the music genre, I would concentrate on piano, voice, music theory, and music history.
At every music lesson, I was like a series of little sponges, soaking up everything I was taught. But unlike most students, who would only concentrate on "the business at hand", I also developed a keen awareness of "how the instruction made me feel". I paid strict attention to my teacher's voice and whether it was demanding and critical or kind and helpful. How did the voice make me feel? Stupid, smart, gifted, slow, fast, dumb, un-deserving, punished or praised. Did I feel the sharp nails of defeat, or the freedom of achievement.
The qualifications of an excellent teacher go far beyond credentials, far beyond talent and even far beyond ability.
John C. Maxwell speaks of the importance of initiative in pursuing excellence ~ "Initiative is Often the Difference Between Success and Failure."
It's the very first step toward qualified teaching and it closes the door to fear. A talented teacher without initiative never reaches his full potential.
Inspire your piano students by playing something wonderful for them from time to time. They must observe all that they can become.
Always, always, find something to praise being truthful and specific. To a singing student, " Well, you sound better", is too vague. However, " Your tone was richer. You have learned how to use the mask area and I can hear the difference," praises the act as well as the student.
In pursuing excellence, always be open to new ideas. Never rest on your laurels. Learn all you can about your craft on a continuing program of self-help, classes, reading and research. Always strive to do a little bit more. What can you do to create that little extra something that will take you from ordinary to extraordinary ?
Resource Talent is Never Enough ~ John C. Maxwell
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Tremendous hub vocalcoach! I have always loved music and self taught myself guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin. The piano intrigues me and I can pick out tunes on single notes. As for singing, my family sings together. For many years we have sang in church and are ask many time to sing at memorials. My wife's dad was a shaped note teacher and we learned the do re mi's. I only wish I had begun earlier in life to really become the best I could be and to develop the measure of talent God gave to me.
This is a very timely hub! My husband and I are just starting to plan out our careers as music teachers (he teaches trumpet, and I'm a voice and piano teacher). We have all the qualities you discuss here. Now all we need is more students!
The all star list of qualities that you expound comes out in your writing. The reach of your teaching exceeds the realm of music.
Great hub, with some pointers of leadership that span the spectrum of life, voted up, Peace, Dust
Music is,for me,an exorcise of the mind's ability to have a higher analytical ability towards creativity.;)
Blessings to you this lovely Memorial Day VocalCoach!
Thank you for this lovely Hub! I have a dear friend who is an excellent music/voice teacher and I emailed him the link to your Hub!
You continue to be the Best and so Inspiring to us all! If I still lived in Nashville I'd come take you to lunch!
Blessings always, Earth Angel!
Earth Angel. . .and you truly are! Your comments are the very first to catch my eye. So glad I read them, as I awoke early this morning, and ran to my puter to see if anyone had responded to my hub. I am so alive and ready to take on the day after reading your positive words of support. I am very flattered that you would send this on to your friend. Oh how I need you in my life, dear Earth Angel. I am so blessed and I thank you with all my heart. And if we ever cross paths outside of hubpages, lunch is on me! Sending you a hug for the day.
Dearest VocalCoach,
Your family, your students, your friends, HubPages and the world are better because you are in it!
Hugs to you as well! Earth Angel!
Great insight!!
This is a wonderfully informative hub!
Your insights are truly inspiring!
chspublish - Thank you for such uplifting words. I wasnt sure I could manage a smile today, but now I have.
Sylvia - So great to have you come by, read my hub and leave a comment. Appreciate it. And now...I'm coming by to pay you a visit!
Blessings to you VocalCoach!
See how much love and joy you spread around HubPages and the Internet!
Hope you received my personal response to your earlier email! If not, I'm probably in your SPAM box! Ahhhhhhh, such is life!
Have a great evening!
Blessings always, Earth Angel!
randomcreative - You have left me two words. And those two words say it all. Thank you so very much!
Mentalist Acer - Beautifully said! But I would expect nothing less from the Poet himself. Thank you, friend.
I'm curious...is it possible to teach people with horrible voices to at least carry a tune?
Excellent hub! It takes a lot of time, patience & diligence to teach anything, & it's knowing what & how to teach that's so important.
I'm sure you must be an inspiring teacher!:>)
"What can you do to create that little extra something that will take you from ordinary to extraordinary?" With those words, Audrey, you prove yourself to be not only an exceptional teacher but an extraordinary person with remarkable insight. But I already knew that.
Such a superb hub, as usual. I especially loved the part of the Ward quote about how a great teacher inspires. I suspect you are a marvelous teacher. Oh…how we need more like you!
Alright, I admit it, I'm a terrible teacher...no patience. Repetition drives me nuts! I commend you. :)
up/awesome
Fay - Hahahaha!!! You are so great. I'd love to have you as a piano student and drive you nuts with repetitive scale work. :) You are awesome!
Genna - You have made me feel so good today with your generous comments. Something I needed. Thank you and I hope to see you here again, real soon. :)
drbj - awwwwwwwwwe, shucks - thanks. I try, my dear friend, I really do try. I have come a long way since meeting you. You are that extraordinary person that motivates and shapes me. You always believe in me and with that kind of support, there is only one direction to go - and that is up!
You are an inspiration! I love reading your Hubs! Thank you so much!
neakin - You have made my day! Thank you and you will be seeing a lot of me!
I like your new avatar!
Thankyou for this wonderful inside of a world I don't lnow nothing about.
Willstarr - I love your question. The answer is - it all depends on the teacher. Just like a mechanic, their are good ones, bad ones, and then the ones that are very gifted and can work miracles. I, humbly admit that I work miracles with voices. Give me your voice and then just watch what I can do with it! The bigger the challenge, the better I am!!! (in all humility) :) vocalcoach
hello, hello - I can't thank you enough for all your support - you are always so sweet to read my hubs, even if the subject matter is not so interesting to you. That is a measure of a true hub friend. Thank you so much and have a wonderful day, all day! Hugs from across the vast ocean to you! vocalcoach
Hi coach!
I had a reason for asking.
So many of us who sound awful would love to be able to just carry a tune. We know we'll never be great voices, but it would be nice to be able to join with others and not sound like fingernails on a chalkboard.
I think teaching awful singers to at least carry a tune would be a great new business, especially if the business was limited to that. Think nationwide studios dedicated to teaching non-singers to sing!
I once saw a Johnny Carson show were that was done. A vocal coach appeared on one show, selected some awful voices (their spouses vouched for that!), and a week later, had them perform as a choir! They sounded great!
Will - What a great idea that is! Lets' go into business!
I actually did the same thing as the vocal coach on Carsons show, except that it was a radio talk show. FYI...also, I recorded a complete program on CD on How to sing and carry a tune. It's on my website and used to sell quite a few. But the last 2 yrs - nothing! I really, really like your idea!!! Thanks :)
"I'd like to teach
The world to sing
In perfect harmony"
Well, why not! It can be done, so go for it, coach! I'll be the first to sign up.
It would be great to be able to sing 'Happy Birthday" without ruining the whole event!
If fact, there's your business name:
"I'd like to teach, the world to sing"
Will - You should be in marketing - just look at your great ideas. I really would like to "teach the world to sing".. . in perfect harmony! You have given me something to think about - and I thank you so much! Get yourself ready for a "Happy Birthday" lesson. :) VC
Wilbury - Love your avatar - I could sit for hours and listen to guitar music. Thanks, my friend for the lovely comments. Makes me smile! Gonna buzz over to your place and see what's going on. Thanks!
Dusty - What very nice comments ! Sure do appreciate your support. I am thinking of you and sending you healing energy, my dear friend. Please take good care - and God Bless You!
mcbirdbks - I am so very grateful to you for your words of support. More than once, you have inspired me to continue to write, when my day is full of challenges. Thank you!
Thanks for the insight, i really learn a lot on how to be a good teacher and a good pianist.
workingmomwm - How great! You will be wonderful teachers and I wish you every success. Enjoy!
fiddleman - I soooooooo love your comments! How great that music is such a big part of your life. You are blessed...and I am too, for knowing you!
Felix - So nice to see you! Thank you for your nice comments. Music is the very heart of the universe. :) vocalcoach
Vocalcoach, you always write such Rich and Informative Hubs for us to read and Enjoy. You Truly are a Wonderful Teacher! Loved the Video too.
Reveals your dedication to music. Great share.
vocalcoach,
I also love this article for the universality of all true teachers. We need to have passion for our subject matter so that our students "catch the fire"...! I love to see my nurses realize how wonderful they are as they gain even more self confidence with in class.
Speaking of which, I love Will's idea as well. I believe you can teach anyone to sing, vocal; and I would love to join your class for some pointers. Currently my students look on in horror as I belt out an irreverent and loosely planted tune (usually a Motown or show tune) to call the class to order?! But it is an effective strategy... and good for some smiles.
This was great! Voted UP & UAB- thanks, mar!
jayababy - Your comments mean so much to me. Thank you for taking the time to read and leave such a sweet message.
marcoujor - Your comments are well put! I thank you for sharing them with us. I would just love to help you with your singing and will send you some info on the program.
Have a blessed day and remember to take a second and give yourself a well-deserving hug!
vocalcoach,
Thank you so much for your kind comment, which is just what I needed to hear tonight. It surely felt like a hug!
I will look forward to the info as you have time.
Have a peaceful evening, mar.
...my dear Audrey - that is really quite a lovely profile picture of you - and I really don't know anyone who pursues excellence as a teacher as well as you do with your passion, kindness, expertise and dedication.
It was so nice to hear from you just now at my Hub and through Facebook although most of my time as you know is spent at the Hub. It is currently 12:02am by Lake Erie here in Ontario, Canada and there is a most gorgeous movie moon sitting low in the sky over the lake and both of my cats (lucky little buggers -lol) are outside dancing in the moonlight - and I came back inside especially to write this nice comment to you Audrey - so stay well my friend and happy too and keep thinking those good thoughts.
Colin, finding your beautiful comments on this hub is like a "shot in the arm" - and that's good! How beautiful your Lake Erie and the movie moon sound. When you write, it is so easy to picture in my mind, I feel as though I am right there. And, I am watching your delightful, furry "children" dancing in the moonlight. Thank you for leaving such an evening, to take a minute and think of me. It means everything. I am very happy right now - and you know what they say about a good woman - "you can't keep a good woman down"! And...I am a good woman!!! Love you, my friend.
b. Malin - I really try to find just the right "balance" between what I know and how the reader may be able to benefit from my article - so your comments make all the difference to me. You're just great!
Hi VC singing is one of my favourite passions and something that people are very quick to criticize. It sounds like you have found a way to positively encourage your students. My daughter had some singing lessons with two different teachers, with very different methods. We have Beatles parties quite regularly where lots of muso's turn up. Also semi pro singers and choir members. Our friend Joseph is a professor of musicology from Georgia in the former Soviet union. He, like me, is a Beatles nut and arranges four part harmonies. We have had over a hundred people at times singing Hey Jude at the top of our voices. Many first timers say that will come, but not sing. But once it gets going most of them join in. I had song writing lessons with Joseph, where we came up with eight songs, a wonderful creative experience. Joseph was voted the 2003 Australian music teacher of the year, so i am very fortunate to have him as a teacher and a friend. I'm sure your students will appreciate your dedication and benefit greatly from the warn environment that you have created for them. Cheers
Happy Birthday,
After reading this inspiring hub, I do hope you have written books on "How to Teach Students" and if not you are probably one of the very few teachers in America that should be on a speaking tour, and writing books.
Some teachers teach for the money--but you teach from the heart--How lucky your student are in the present and the past.
Bless you Dear Vocalcoach.
Thank you for writing this hub.
Bobbi
William F. Torpey Level 2 Commenter 12 months ago
Very nice, vocalcoach. The youngster in the video is wonderful. She reminds me of Shirley Temple.