Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Teachers Forum A decent transfer student!

Wow, finally!

For the past two years I've taken under my wings one lousy transfer student after another. Complete revamp projects. I thought the world was going to end.

Finally, earlier this month a decent transfer student came to me. This student can actually read notes and count with correct rhythm. The mother is a bit on the pushy side, but I'd rather deal with a motivated parent than an unsupportive one.

It's about time I started a positive thread.

Congratulations! There are some good teachers out your way, it would seem (or did they just move to the area? :D). I have have had several good transfer students, and while sometimes they may have been lacking in things that I deem important, the had good foundations. And of course, when we teachers say "bad transfers students" to something to that effect, it is a criticism of the teacher, not the student.

Here are a couple of questions that the parent could answer to provide information that a teacher would like to know about the transferring in student:

1. Reason for transferring
__ Family has moved
__ Unsatisfactory progress with previous teacher
__ Student is returning after an absence from piano study
__ Other _________________________________

2. Reason for piano study _________________________________

3. Progress to date
__ Has the student displayed a genuine interest in piano? Yes? No?
__ Has student had musical problems or frustrations? Yes? No?
__ Comments _________________________________

4. Student has had
__ One previous teacher
__ Several teacher with same method
__ Several teachers with varying approaches and methods
__ A time lapse between teacher
__ Comments _________________________________

A teacher would probably like a chronological list of the previous teachers and how long the student was in study with them.

If the parent is not remembering the name you can consider how you'll feel when you are a previous teacher.

From the questions answered and an interview it would be easier to decide if you wanted to work with the student at all.

Although I like to take on challenges in piano students, I am finding that they consume a lot of my personal energy during lessons and if they do not take piano lessons very seriously it probably isn't worth the effort. You have to choose where you want to invest your energy it's that simple.

Look at the client's track record that should give you more than enough information. And, if you aren't sure about how this is going to work out, you can always put it on a time frame for 10 lessons as introductory to each other and to see how it's going from the teacher's point of view as well as from the student and family.

Betty

Here are answers to your questions based on one transfer student I have who frustrates me to tears:
1.Reason for transferring: previous teacher kicked him out
2.reason for piano study: parents make him take lessons
3.has the student displayed genuine interest in piano? NO
musical problems and frustrations? DAILY

Congratulations on your wonderful new student! I'm sure that must feel good! I'll take the pushy parents, make that the motivated/supportive parents, any day.

Barb,

I inadvertently typed in some letters that made my unfinished posting post! There are actually more questions than you saw.

I can tell how frustrated you are! It seems that you still have him in your schedule. Have neither of you been happy at lessons at anytime? How do you cope?

Did you have warning signs or was it a surprise after you had accepted him?

Betty

Warning sign I should have heeded:
"He's had 5 teachers in 4 years and hasn't clicked with any of them. I hear you are wonderful! Can you take him?" (from his mom)
I fell for the "you are wonderful" thing.
I have posted about this student here a few times, asking for advice on pieces, etc. etc. We are still working together because his mom won't let him quit and there are pieces he will work on and he's making some progress. Mom and I have had many conversations about his progress and lack of. I'm doing the best I can, that's all I can say.
At every recital, he plays flawlessly but with no soul. He likes to play fast but is extremely particular about what he will and won't play. This frustrates me to no end. Then all of a sudden he will agree to something, like a Mozart sonata for heaven's sake, and so we make a go of it for a while until it's time to hunt for a new piece again. I hate working this way. I like this student and "feel his pain", I understand how badly he wants to quit piano but his parents won't allow it. He is forced to practice one hour every day. He is 14 years old. I should send him on to a teacher who teaches advanced students, but frankly, how can I refer him on? The teacher I have in mind for him would kick him out, she would not put up with this.
Thanks for letting me vent, folks.