This article is one part of my Ultimate Parent's Guide to Kid's Guitar Lessons.

How can you be sure that your child is taking music lessons from a highly-skilled teacher? This article will share some of the essential qualities of a highly skilled children's music teacher.

The primary qualities present in high-quality music lessons are excellent communication, organization, and lessen flow. Clear communication helps both you and your child understand short and long-term goals. Effective organization ensures that your child reaches long-term goals with minimal disruption or diversion. Lesson flow helps your child stay focused as an experienced teacher seamlessly strings together all the different lesson segments.

Communication

Personality

There are many ways, both verbal and nonverbal, that your child's teacher communicates with them to ensure their success. This communication starts in the very first lesson. Quickly developing a comfortable rapport with your child is one of the most critical aspects of successful children's music lessons, and skilled teachers can do it almost immediately.

In fact, at this early stage, a comfortable rapport is often more important than the teacher's musical skill. Studies show that high achievers in many different fields typically begin their studies with teachers who engage with them personally. Many times, these teachers are not the best at their craft. What they are good at is making children feel special and engaging them.

A skilled teacher will know when to mirror your child's temperament and when to contrast it. If your child is young and timid, a skilled teacher will likely mirror their disposition until the relationship develops. If your child is highly energetic, the teacher may contrast this with a calm presence to help settle your child into lessons.

Here's an example. One disadvantage I face when teaching young children is that I'm tall. 6'4". And I have a low voice. As I greet new children from the doorstep (which is an 8-inch step-up), I must look like a giant!

Some kids barely notice it. Others are visibly timid, sometimes standing a bit back or hiding behind mom's legs. If I see this, I immediately crouch down to make myself smaller in their eyes. I adjust my naturally high-energy teaching personality, slowing and softening my speech patterns. Sometimes, we'll spend a minute or two talking on the porch. I know that it's better to let a child slowly adjust than to rush them into an unfamiliar house with an unfamiliar person (for a new and unfamiliar experience!)

As your child develops, your teacher can use the dynamics of their relationship with your child as a way to develop your child's musicality. If you have a quiet and thoughtful child, a skilled teacher may imitate that personality while teaching a thoughtful, calm piece of music. However, when teaching an energetic, bombastic piece, the teacher may shift their personality to match the music and help stretch your child's emotional and musical boundaries.

Language

A skilled teacher can appropriately use their personality to connect with your child, but much of that benefit is lost if their language use is less skilled. Children thrive on praise and acknowledgment and strive to accomplish goals that teachers and parents set out for them. The skillful teacher uses this as their primary motivational method for children.

I have several guidelines that I keep in front of my mind. I try to praise more often than I criticize. My praise must be as specific as my criticism. I avoid words used to confer moral judgment; words like good, bad, wrong, and right. These and other subtle details help your child know that their successful efforts are valued, their errors are fixable, and that their value as a child, student, and human being will not be based on their musical ability.

Two-way understanding

A quality teacher prioritizes clear understanding over clear explanation. A less-skilled teacher may think they've explained clearly when, in fact, they haven't.

The teacher who prioritizes explanations will seem efficient and knowledgeable. However, the gap between what the teacher explains and what your child understands can be huge.

The teacher who prioritizes being understood knows that communication is a two-way street. This teacher will closely watch your child perform. They'll attentively listen to your child's questions and take the time to ensure they understand your child's misunderstandings.

Actionable Feedback

The skilled teacher will give your child actionable instruction and feedback. While demonstrating is usually better than explaining, the skillful music teacher will describe the physical actions that your child must use to produce the desired effect.

In "The Art of Musicianship," Philip Farkas, former principal French Horn player in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, discusses unclear communication at the highest levels of classical music and its effects on performance.

Many synonyms (and) explanatory phrases are used in urging musicians to employ good musicianship. Commonly heard are these exhortations: "sing", "phrase", "espressivo", "project", "communication", "with feeling", "say something", etc... The trouble with (these) vague and nebulous words... is that they do not tell us what to do physically with the music...

In my observation, the conductors who get the musical results they desire quickly and efficiently are those who... (use) short, definitive words... these terse, efficient conductors will bark, "shorter", "louder", "more legato", "bigger diminuendo", etc. These instructions, while not very poetic, give the player a definite physical act to perform on the instrument. And this is the entire object of instruction. Give the performer concise technique instructions and he in turn will produce the desired musical effect. (Farkas 5)

Goals, Expectations, and Organization

An excellent, experienced music teacher will have a clear set of goals for your child that progressively develop their ability. This progression will extend beyond merely learning one piece and then another. The experienced teacher will also spend time preparing your child for upcoming challenges to be well-prepared for success.

Your teacher should have high standards for your child while understanding and accommodating of any temporary or permanent factors that affect your family. High standards look different for different teachers; for some, it's high technical and musical proficiency in the classical repertoire. For others, it's skillful improvisation, and yet others prioritize having fun learning pop tunes. And for some teachers, it's all three!

To keep track of all of the elements involved in smoothly advancing your child through a program requires an organized and professional teacher.

Organization may not look like you'd expect. I'll be the first to admit that my teaching studio usually has toys sitting on the floor next to my teaching chair and books piles behind it. However, I've had multiple parents comment on my organization.

In these instances, parents are speaking about a pedagogical organization. Having a plan, knowing how to put it into action, and communicating that with parents and students leads to results (tidy studio preferably but not necessary).

Flow

One last element that highlights a teacher's professionalism is their ability to keep a feeling of flow through the lessons. Your child will need to develop many different skills to become a proficient musician. Comfortably moving your lessons between these different development areas without breaking the lesson's continuity is the mark of a professional. This teacher thoroughly understands their craft and is rarely caught off-guard. On the other hand, the teacher who is regularly nonplussed is likely out-of-their depth.

Conclusion

Has your music teacher said anything that has impressed (or depressed) you? Let me know in the comments below!

Sources

Farkas, Philip. The Art of Musicianship. Wind Music Publications, 1976