Once a student discovers the “desire for mastery”, s/he is hooked. Students can discover the desire for mastery by attempting to play the simplest melodies.
One of my most interesting observations came from teaching students who attend a behavior school. These students are apathetic about most things in life, and by nature put little importance on education. Before trying to teach note reading, counting, playing from music, etc., I start the class by teaching simple, familiar childhood songs using a form of tablature.
What I have witnessed on a regular basis is students coming into the classroom, getting guitars, and individually playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” one note at a time. Each time a mistake is made the students frequently express their frustration with a superlative. I have learned to overlook this type of expression because I now know that their frustration is created by their newly found desire for mastery.
Once a student demonstrates the “desire for mastery”, they are hooked and ready for more information.
[social_button button=”facebook” furl=”http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teaching-Guitar-Workshops/98983006090?ref=ts&fref=ts” flayout=”standard ” fwidth=”450″ faction=”like” fcolorsheme=”light”]