Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Teachers Forum Perfect Student

Hi teachers. I'm a student just looking for some advice from the teachers perspective. What qualities do you guys and girls make the perfect student? If you could make your perfect student, what would they do/be?

I'm not a piano teacher, but I believe one of the frequent fliers here has a quote in their signature that says "the perfect student is the one who makes the teacher feel like a competent teacher".

Something to that effect, anyway.

I think that's as close to a perfect answer to that question as you're going to get. It acknowledges the fact that every one-on-one teaching situation is a matter of interaction between two individuals. They each have their own personalities, goals and desires, interaction styles, strengths and weaknesses. As such, one teacher's perfect student might be another teacher's ultimate nightmare.

But speaking from my experience as a scout leader (which is, in many ways, an informal way of teaching), I would say that in general, the best students are probably those who are eager to learn. They come prepared, listen and observe closely, remember what you tell them, and try to independently apply things they've previously learned in slightly different but related situations whenever such situations come up.

Hey Sara!

Snakk om sola, så skinner den!

The perfect student would be one where I could find absolutely nothing to criticize.

I think the perfect student has to be one who creates excitement. That is, the student who comes in plays their assignment far better than you expected. Or the student who adds something to the lesson by asking questions or bringing an element into the discussion that causes both teacher and student to be engaged and excited. That, in my mind, makes all the difference.

This.

I think we have different definitions of the word "perfect" here. My definition of perfection is something that is so good that it cannot improve any further. Therefore, it is impossible to achieve in the realm of piano playing, as one can always improve. But the closest you can come to it is what I described above.

Hmmm. Wouldn't that mean that the value added from lessons would be zero?

That would not be my notion of perfection.

Yes. So, at least in the eyes of the teacher, they would have achieved perfection, right?

So there won't be any need for lessons, then!

i meant more like the actual being a student to the teacher. making no mistakes is not possible. so my definition of perfect is doing the best you can with whats presented to you in this world. if i was "perfect" in the literal sense, i wouldn't need to pay a teacher. the feedback joyce provided was exactly the type of feedback i was looking for!

let me rephrase since we seem to be stuck on verbiage. lifes short, everything i do i strive to make it fun, as i believe you should enjoy life and have fun with it and do what makes you happy. How can i make my piano lessons the lessons that the instructor looks forward too? personally i already love my lessons, if i had the time and money i'd go 3/4 times a week for an hour instead of just once.

Exactly. Which is why the phrase "perfect student" is an oxymoron.

i defined my interpretation as well. i could have worded it more clear.

No. It is YOUR definition of a "perfect student" that is oxymoronic.

Here's my definition of a "perfect student."

1) loves music
2) loves piano
3) practices regularly
4) remembers what I say
5) shows up to lessons and pays tuition on time
6) enjoys playing in front of an audience
7) is creative, imaginative, and artistic/musical
8) respects people
9) keeps an open mind for new ideas
10) thinks for him/herself instead of just imitating, copying, and/or emulating a model

But let's just take one of your premises for now, say number 7. However creative or musical they are, wouldn't it be possible for them to be more so? This sounds like a good definition of an excellent student, but not a perfect one.

i do enjoy debating things, i truly do which is why i go to
http://forums.philosophyforums.com/debates/
all the time. however, i redefined what i meant, its not about the words, its about the meaning. I can change the words to excellent on the title if that will help. I just want to kind of push this thread past being stuck on everyones different interpretations of perfect and move on to the actual subject at hand.

So we are talking about an excellent student, and not a perfect one? (In other words, the best student you could reasonably expect to have?)

A couple of people have done that. Those are the "perfect" things to notice and respond to.

Do you enjoy splitting hair? What do you gain by hounding the semantics of a word?

The students I enjoy teaching most and really look forward to their lessons are the ones who always try their best. It doesn't matter about the level of playing or even their ability. If they have tried and are willing to learn then there is always plenty to do. It also helps if they communicate with you, particularly if there is something they don't understand.

So as a student, if you want to keep your teacher happy it's pretty simple. Try your best, communicate with them, be polite and courteous, show respect by turning up for lessons on time and paying fees promptly.

On the flip side the only lessons I don't enjoy are the ones where the student shows up unprepared and gives the impression they would rather not be there.