[Guest Teacher]

To ask them to do both ways,the old and new is a really good one I agree.It’s very important for the students to actually experience the benefits of the new way of doing things and understand and feel that this way will make them improve their performance.
I find useful,as well,to really make them see that mistakes are an essential part of the learning process but as well remind them that those mistakes can be learned from others so you don’t spend the time making the mistake and them re-learning.That their is a way of saving that time going strait to the most effective practice.So showing them where each kind of practice leads you help as well.

[Guest Teacher]

I love Kat’s observations here. I’m very much an advocate for allowing students to make mistakes. I find students get frustrated when they try something new and the body doesn’t quite know how to handle it yet. Often I find that they try something and the voice will break and that break then drives them back into doing things in their habitual way.

At these times I remind the student that they’ve been locked into their habit for a long time, so it might take us a long time to retrain or remove that habit. We just have to give the body time to work it out and trust the exercise and our bodies.

However, sometimes that frustration also creates an opportunity to try a new tactic. Change the conditions of the exercise (or trying a new exercise entirely) whilst still striving for the same result. I did this just yesterday with a pupil and the lesson ending in such a positive way compared to our previous lesson.

One other issue I find is that frustration often comes when someone is doing an exercise for the sake of doing an exercise. If you clarify what the exercise is doing, slow the student down and get them to really think about what they are doing, then they are much more likely to do better with the exercise and make a positive change that is then reflected in their attitude.

[Guest Teacher]

I’m in Matt’s camp as I have tried vehemently not to teach “mix” just because of this very confusion in terminology. it means so many things to so many different people, and it seems to me that even current research hasn’t really answered the question of what it is. When I work with my pupils on this kind of sound, I get them to brighten up the sound a little bit and I call it a baby cry, contrasting it to a calling out, which would be more of a pushed chest voice without the extra head resonance that comes with the “mix”.

PS extra Brucie bonus point to Matt for referencing Arthur Lessac!

[Guest Teacher]

Great tips! It’s always nice to share ideas. I always ask for 4 week advance payments and explain this even before we have a trial lesson. This normally gives a VERY clear indication of who is serious. Sometimes it gets a bit tricky where people claim they forget. I do send out a text message the day before the payment is due and remind them the week before the money is due as well. I also write in their notebooks ( I insist that they have a notebook) how many lessons they’ve had: from 1 – 4. That is a very clear way for both parties to know by keeping a record for the student to see. Occasionally, you will have those who disappear without advance payment, never to return. Those are rare. As any business, there are risks. I do provide a slightly longer lesson (without charge as I get carried away with music) every now and again as an incentive, which does keep my students happy.

[Guest Teacher]

Hi Steph

It’s up to you what you do with the students from this week. If it was me though I would just send a follow up message and say something along the lines of “Hi blank, If forgot to say that you can either pay for the lesson you cancelled on a bank transfer or with cash the next lesson. I really don’t mind which just wanted to remind you that you had the option of either.” or a few days before their next lesson say something like, “Hi blank, this is just a friendly reminded that I require the amount of blank from the lesson you cancelled to be paid at your next lesson on blank or via a bank transfer/Paypal. See you on blank”

This way it’s not making it seem like you have changed your mind on your policies but making it seem like you expect them to know what your policy is. Then if they reply with any resistance you can just remind them of your policy and they can either accept that or move on.

I’m also with you, if something comes up and I can rearrange for another day when I am free in the same week then I will but only if they let me know before I am there waiting for them.