1. The Joys of Teaching Music What I Have Learned from My Adult Students

2. The Joys • Joe-the actor • Olive-the landscape architect • Terry-the electrician • Becca-the head of nurses UC

3. The Agonies • Tom-the stiffs • Polly-the rhythm • Patty-three fingers • Nilda-the arthritis • Janice-the headaches

4. The Defeats • John-the entrepreneur • Diana-the technology specialist • Steve and Gracie, the professionals

5. What I learned • Encouragement speaks volumes • 4 week rule • Communication-I help them reach their goals • Find correct situation for student • And now-tuition based teaching • 20+ aren’t the same!

6. Discovering Decades Long live adults!

7. The 20’s • New in the workforce • Experimenting with likes and dislikes • Still used to being in educational environment • Has disposable cash • Still hanging with friends

8. Stephen • Rhythm and blues (R&B) writer • Takes two lessons a week • Wants to be the best he can be in the business • Has a GOAL!

9. What Stephen has to say

10. What I learned • Have to be adapt at different styles • Seriously must fill his gaps! • Must help him to apportion his time-set schedules • Scales are important!

11. Sight-reading and Classical

12. Chord Substitutions and “Far from Home”

13. Matt • Artist by trade • Sensitive/shy • Loves to listen to bands • Jazz is his favorite • Loves bluegrass • Loves classical • Single, tall—girls love him!

14. What Matt has to say • Feels great after lessons • Likes the contrast of “surface” work and “deep” work • Opposite of cramming for test • Something that lasts forever

15. What I learned • He is SERIOUS about the piano • BUT Watch for concentration laps-stretch • Have to go over everything before leaves-detail how to practice • Watch for great ear! • Be willing to share

16. Matt’s performance

17. The 40’s • Worried about job, family • Want to feel “safe” • Self “nurturing” • Looking for a way to satisfy a “craving,” but not sure what that is or can change • Often in a transition

18. The 50’s • New 40’s! • Not afraid • Making a fool of self • Asking questions • Saying “I don’t know” • Saying “I’m sorry” • Busy, fulfilled, happy • Looking into arts for creative outlets, life enriching • Intrinsic aesthetic cup of tea

19. Jill • Singer/voice teacher • Bright • Energetic • Well-rounded • Happy • Loves music • LOVES the piano • Touches her deeply

20. What Jill has to say

21. What I learned • It is okay to divide time up into “units”-fulfill desires of student • It’s okay to make lessons an “event” • Be well rounded in my knowledge • Adapt to physical challenges

22. Jill’s performance

23. The 70’s • Enjoying family • Usually retired • Filling life with meaningful adventures • Reflexes slowing • Body can feel and show wear and tear of life

24. Joe • Widow who has remarried • Taught himself to play • Family man • Loves to play • Busy— “re-tired” • Physical ailments that he works around

25. What Joe has to say

26. What I learned • Rhythm– purple and blue! • Touch/look/talk • Not too many marks on page • Do small amounts-repeat! • Pick pieces same in both hands • Use Joe’s vast theory knowledge

27. Joe’s performance

28. Mark Witte The Writing Life by Annie Dillard: "You were made and set here to give voice to this, your own astonishment."