Tom Burt
Band directors, have you ever had a student come up to you and say “I want to
quit”
What is your response as the teacher? What do you say to them? Do you ask why?
There are two ways to which you can respond to this comment from the student.
The first is to just brush it off and think to yourself, he did not have the
ability so let it go.
The second way is to look at it from the student point of view, which I think is
how we must approach the problem. If we put the student first, then we look at
how they are doing on their instrument. Do they like the tone they produce. Do
they feel successful with the notes that are in front of them. Do they like the
instrument they are playing on. There are many reasons that go into their
decision to stay in band or leave band.
I had a student come to me today requesting to quit at the semester. I found out
that he does not feel successful because there are notes he can’t reach yet in
his young career. I suggested that he come in after school and work with me one
on one and we will approach it from a muscular/breathing standpoint. I also
asked him “If I can help you get the notes will you stay in band?” His response
was, “Yes”
Our goal as teachers is to know our students and help them succeed in music and
in life. If we can provide a clear and accessible path to their learning we just
might help students have a more positive attitude about instrumental music.
Tom Burt
