Forum Replies Created

  • Jonathan Draper

    Member
    December 12, 2024 at 9:13 am in reply to: What do you do during the daytime? (All teachers)

    When I’m not teaching, I have a couple of part time regular day jobs to keep me busy which will hopefully disappear soon as my teaching builds up.
    Apart from that, I generally spend time getting rugby tackled by my two young daughters . . .

  • Jonathan Draper

    Member
    December 10, 2024 at 11:40 am in reply to: Increasing Lesson Cost (All Teachers)

    I generally tell people at the end of term that the lesson fee will increase. That way, they can think about it over the holidays. Thankfully, nobody has ever said no! It’s quite rare that I increase my fee – generally about once a year. People generally don’t mind an extra pound on lessons occasionally. I don’t have a flexible pricing policy because I’d find budgeting a nightmare.

  • Jonathan Draper

    Member
    December 6, 2024 at 8:09 am in reply to: Students Poorly in Lessons (All Teachers)

    I think pupils who turn up for lessons when they are sick are astoundingly selfish. Keep your bugs to yourself! I make this pretty clear, obviously with a kinder turn of phrase.

  • Jonathan Draper

    Member
    December 5, 2024 at 10:23 am in reply to: What Seating Are You Using When Teaching? (All Teachers)

    While a better chair can certainly help, tackling fundamental problems with posture is the most effective method. Alexander Technique is really good for this – it helped me ever so much with cello-related pain.

    Here is a video from my old AT teacher. It’s all about guitar posture. Guitarists should watch it.

    https://youtu.be/r6IHPrT7sgg

    Also see http://alexandertechnique.co.uk/benefits/performing

    I hope this helps.