Do you invite students to your gigs? (All Teachers)

[Lewis Benzies]

Hi Melodi, I’d say there’s nothing misleading about being a musician who dabbles in different genres. It should be an exciting thing for students really. But you could avoid surprises by it already coming up in the smalltalk around the lesson.

[Guy Jones]

Hey Melodi,

For some of my older students who are aspiring to do music professionally or generally want to get into performing I love to get them down to shows. I think it generally creates a greater bond with the student if they connect with the performance as it builds their confidence in you as a teacher. I do a lot of artist development and if there are ever industry people at the gigs I try to introduce my students to them and lead by example in terms of networking. The experience can be a lesson in itself (although not one I charge for). A student came to my last show and brought a friend who enjoyed the experience so much they ended up booking in lessons with me too.

I do think it is important to also go to those students gigs in return and I think that is an important element to consider.

Hope that’s helpful!

Best

Guy

[Filippo Meloni]

Hi, I think it’s a great idea to inspire your students. Regardless of the style, you perform.

[Mage Lockwood, NCTM]

Hi Melodi! I teach a mixture of ages both privately and at the college (mainly adults at the college of course!). I think it depends on what kind of performance it is. I actually don’t mention my original music unless asked because it contains mature lyrics! 😆 But for my adult students, no problem; I still give them the disclaimer though. Hope that helps! I would like to find a way to reach potential students through my original music, but I always felt that teaching and performing were two separate things. Anyone feel this way balancing between the two? 🤔

[Nora Bee]

I normally don’t 🙂 It’s because I play either jazz gigs that are very late or being a side musician, or private events. Some of my more advanced students live in USA though. So I can’t invite them. I do have one older British student who said he is very interested in attending one of the gigs, so may invite him if i have something public that isn’t super late hours. But i wouldn’t invite someone who is clearly into rock or pop to a jazz gig. 🙂 My teaching “persona” seem to be sort a different one than a gigging musician persona ( even my name) 🙂 I more often than not teach different type of music to my students than the sort I would listen to. As I adapt to students taste.