Why?

t’s a very important question to ask. Possibly one of the most crucial questions to ask when wanting to know the reason behind something; not just how it works but it’s purpose for working or even existing. My 3 year old daughter, Eidann (pronounced like Aidan), is at the stage where nearly every response is “Why?”

“Dad, why do you stir your coffee?”
“Why does grass need water to drink?”
“Why does the car need gas?”
“Why do I need to sleep?”
…and when I give a proper response to the question she will ask again,
“Why?”

At times it does cause a little frustration, but she is asking a good question. She is curious about the world around her and wants to know the reason behind an action. She is trying to understand why her Dad does what he does. This can be directly applied to your studio teaching as well as your studio business. Having a purposeful reason for your actions can transform generalities into specific goals. It is the difference between having a mediocre, lets-fill-the-time type of lesson to having a rock-your-world type of lesson with a student.

That is why I want every lesson to be sharp, clever, purposeful, full of intent and beneficial to the student. That is also the purpose of this website. To help you find those tools needed to succeed and have a sharp business, a sharp studio and sharp students.

Here is one tool that can really help sharpen your performance and teaching. And the amazing thing, it only takes 5 minutes.

Take 5

Something I started several years ago to help find the purpose and motivation of a student was to take 5 minutes before I started to teach and think about the students I would be seeing that day. I would focus on the previous lesson, conversations we had, long- and short-term goals as well as the personality of the student. In essence, recall why a student was taking music lessons.

It would only take a few seconds for each student but I find myself more prepared and freshly acquainted with each of the student’s needs. That way when the student arrives I would already be prepared for the lesson. Following with my faith, I would also ask a blessing for the student; to aid in my interactions with the student and help them mentally, emotionally and through any trials they may be facing. It helps me focus and feel more confident in the relationship as teacher and pupil.

Some may call this process lesson planning, and yes I do lesson plan but this isn’t writing a plan out or formulating the structure of a lesson. This is recalling to mind the individual who you are shaping into a marvelous musician and their needs as an individual. And simple put, remembering why that person is taking lessons in the first place. So that you can try to have a rock-your-world type of lesson with that student each and every week.

Give it a try for a week and leave a comment below if you notice any changes in yourself or the student.

Go and Be Sharp!

John