TheUntalented Students

After my Mom died a couple decades ago we went through her stuff, as one does. I came across all of the school report cards we had received as children. She had kept them all. While I was a pretty good student generally, I noticed one very ironic item in my elementary cards. Apparently the one subject I did poorly in was (wait for it…..) music. So, of course, I chose music as a profession (as one does).

I always felt drawn to the creation and performance of music. But when I pursued it I realized that I was not a natural nor particularly talented. But I had forgotten these report cards. When I came across them they reaffirmed my feelings.

I’m largely a self-taught (feral?) guitarist. I’ve had a handful of lessons over the years but all of my students have had more formal music training in the last couple of months than I’ve had in my lifetime. I’ve joked that I am living proof that you don’t need to take lessons and study to become a good guitarist…..if you don’t mind spending 20 years learning 4 years of material. And, although I think of myself as a good guitarist, I’ve never been a great one. I don’t know if studying formally would have changed that or not.

I believe, however, that my background has made me a pretty good teacher. I did so very many things wrong before I did them right that I can properly advise a student. (“I used to think that your way was easier too. I was wrong. Please don’t make the same mistakes I did.”) I’m also empathetic with their struggles. I clearly remember my own struggles in trying to get my fingers to do stuff. Some memories of that frustration still make me wince.

I’ve been thinking of all this recently as I look over my teaching career. It’s easy to point to the talented students. The small handful that made a successful career in music. The few extremely talented amateurs who’ve decided to play for the sheer enjoyment of it. The standouts that every teacher in every field has.

However I’m equally proud of some of the students who weren’t talented. Their struggles were often painful to watch. But they never gave up. They toughed it out. They likely will never be awesome, but they will (I hope) have a lifetime of enjoyment from playing music. They will also have a deepened appreciation of the virtuosi that they encounter throughout their life.

As their teacher I was often frustrated and even angry. Not at their inability to comprehend or execute but at my own inability to present the information in a manner that was more helpful. If a student is really trying and is unsuccessful, then much of the responsibility rests on the teacher.

It’s funny that I’ve also had many extremely talented students who failed because they just didn’t try. No matter what I did, I just couldn’t get them motivated to apply themselves. Those are the ones that disappoint me. But when someone tries really hard and finally is able to play pretty good? I’m really proud of them too and like to brag…..as one does.