It’s been a rough day at work. Actually it’s been a rough week. I feel tired and burdened. But as I reach home, I receive a call on my handphone.
It’s the father of one of my students. He calls to tell me that his daughter received a distinction for her ABRSM Grade 4 Classical Guitar exam.
I’m elated. The news lifts my spirits.
It literally makes my day.
Triumphs like these are why I still teach classical guitar. I have many small stories like these and each one is a precious gem of a memory I cherish dearly.
Passing exams is just one of the small obstacles I help my students overcome. Some time ago, I had an enthusiastic young student who was, in my opinion, wrongfully overlooked during a guitar audition.
She was rejected by the guitar club in her school.
After several weeks of lessons with me, she re-applied for the guitar club and was accepted, thanks, in no small part, to her own talent and determination.
Now, she’s described by her conductor as being 1 to 2 years ahead of her peers.
Then there’s my dyslexic student; the student I came out of ‘retirement’ for.
When I started teaching him, there were times I thought of resigning from that account. Teaching him was a torture. I thought his learning disability totally precluded him from music.
But slowly and surely, he surpassed my expectations.
I tell my students, “Sometimes, you need to keep banging your head against the wall until something cracks. There’s no way around it. You just have to keep smashing your head against it. That’s why it’s called a ‘break-through’.”
That’s how it is for music. You have to keep practicing until you make that break-through.
I had to push my dyslexic student very hard, but he has made many mini breakthroughs. Despite his learning disabilities, I’m quite proud of what he’s accomplished.
It is a pity he’s gotten quite lazy lately.
When I took on my current job, I questioned my ability to juggle so many commitments.
Teaching classical guitar is actually quite tricky. More preparation time is required for advanced students. Preparing students for exams is even worse. Examination boards have a tendency to torment teachers with questionably-edited manuscripts.
I often have to edit the fingerings for most exam pieces I teach.
But it’s worth it. I love watching my students develop. I love watching them make mini-breakthroughs.
There’s no greater feeling than seeing a student exceed your expectations. It’s my silver lining after a dark and cloudy day of work.
Teaching the classical guitar is like air to me. It lets me breathe. It gives me life. I’m glad I decided to continue teaching. Here’s hoping it lasts.
*salutes!!*