Archived under: Narcissism & negativity, Teaching | Teachers
The Ego-Driven Music Teacher: Good or Bad? (I)
Teaching — more art than science?
I occasionally lurk — read, but do not participate in — the various horn discussion groups. Interesting topics come up that in turn inspire blog topics.
An underlying subtext that appears every now-and-then is ego-driven authority and opinion.
Some teachers or players may quantify their views with statements like “I have been a professional for XX years” or “I have played the Siegfried call XX times” or “XX percent of my students get jobs.”
To a certain degree I can identify with this rationale and at face value see nothing wrong with it. I have had my own wealth of experience which allows me some level of authority to blog about horn-playing.
A healthy amount of ego — even a little quiet narcissism — is necessary to play and teach the horn.
On the other hand, teaching music can be somewhat more of an art than a science. A teacher with too much ego may disturb this delicate balance and actually do more harm than good.
The slippery slope
Teaching is like a fine painting; it is much more than just black and white, it is composed of multiple shades of color.
Saying for example, “I have been a professional for XX years and therefore I am correct” is an ego-maniacal — even ignorant — statement. It does not take into consideration the many variables in human nature outside of the speaker’s own experience.
I did it my way
Ego-driven, authoritative teachers with a one-dimensional approach can be very magnetic and convincing. This is especially true to an impressionable student who is eager to learn and absorb knowledge from an acclaimed master of the instrument.
This is all well and good if the teacher’s “my way or the highway” method is in tune with the student’s learning style. A handful of students will truly succeed and flourish from teachers of this ilk.
For the remaining students that do not fit into this method, it can be a different matter entirely.
A teacher lacking the know-how to realign themselves to a student’s needs may get frustrated. They might even blame the student — explicitly or implicitly — for not comprehending their methodology and give up.
For a student in this scenario the private instruction experience can be fraught with self-doubt, frustration and misery.
712 articles: BRUCE HEMBD is a web marketing developer by day who plays French horn professionally at night.» More information about Bruce Hembd » More articles by Bruce Hembd » Contact
Related to this article
- Good Students Make Good Teachers
When choosing a school for advanced study one element that students consider is that of finding a teacher that will help prepare them to win a job. I know I try to do my best in regard to this with every student, and I feel confident... - Quote of the Week–Yeo on Good Students and Good Teachers
As the year starts it is a great time to think about goals and how to reach those goals. Self evaluation is always in order. In relation to that, an article in the Douglas Yeo trombone site is well worth pondering for all horn teachers and... - The Mean Horn Teacher
One style of horn teaching is to be the mean teacher. It is supposed to motivate students, and there will perhaps always be some “old school” teachers of this type out there. Often this approach is a part of a “my way or the highway” strategy... - Friedrich Gumpert, Master Teacher of the Horn
Often hornists will look back on their “genealogy” in terms of who their teachers were, the teachers of their teachers, etc. A number of my teachers were Farkas students and I took several lessons with Farkas directly, so this would be a major influence if I... - Very Good News from ASU
Yesterday afternoon I was officially informed that I will be promoted in rank from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and granted tenure effective with the 2007-08 academic year. It has been quite a process–gaining tenure in my former position in the Nashville Symphony was not nearly... - Selecting a Horn Teacher
It is that time of year; many students are right now in the final process of making their comparisons of offers from schools for advanced horn study. It is a complicated thing, choosing a school. There are so many elements to consider. Speaking generally I feel... - Considering the “Backup” Career while Studying Music
A second career. For over a dozen years now, I have been a freelance web developer. It has had its up and downs, but in the dry periods when there are no music gigs it has been a tremendous boost. When in college, a common perception...
Commentary and Yet More Parody: Pimpin' with the Louisville Orchestra
Ultimate Horn Technique and Ultimate Low Horn Arriving This Week
What is a “Dual Bore” Horn?
The "N" Words: Narcissism
