I had an interesting, if not disturbing, conversation with a colleague recently. He said that the problem with music is that it's too easy today. You simply push a button on a device and you can listen to some of the worlds most impressive artists playing some of the best music. It doesn't take any education or training. Just push the button.
He went on to say that after a day of teaching his head is so full of bad music that he immediately turns on some "good" music when he gets home. He has come to the conclusion that he doesn't really like music. But I've heard him practice. He is a wonderful pianist with very sophisticated tastes. As an armchair analyst I think he's just tired of teaching.
Actually I understand his sentiment. I drive about an hour to get home and I usually do it in silence. I replay key moments in my mind. If it was a difficult moment I ask myself how I could have handled it better. How do I redirect a negative moment into a positive outcome? Is this an opportunity in disguise? A kind of educational "judo" if you will.
If I had a great lesson (or lessons) could I have done better? If the student is advanced I worry that I may no longer be a good enough teacher for them. Will my weaknesses become their weaknesses? To quiet the demonic voices in my head I occasionally take inventory of past students who are now successful performers and teachers.
At it's core I think his thesis is simply wrong. Although we can easily enjoy music today by pushing a button, it's the least satisfying musical experience. Pop concert attendance is still very high even though ticket prices have risen to extreme levels. Live music is a better experience. And playing music is even better than that.
This is where folks like he and I come in. In a world where pop music dominates, classical and jazz are often overlooked. I not only teach the instrument, I also teach the music. I recently taught a 13 year old how to analyze and then play a simple fugue. When she began to understand her eyes lit up and she got very excited. A fugue is like a musical version of "Whack-A-Mole". Just as you begin to hear the subject (a simple melody), it disappears and pops up some place else. Regardless of her musical future, she will always enjoy listening to fugues because of a 5 minute explanation.
Yes it's fun working with self-motivated advanced students. But it's also fun watching students suddenly understand that they can actually do this. It's fun to see the pride in a parent after their child has just performed in a recital. I've seen tough guys weep while watching their kid nail a renaissance piece. As I get older I get more easily tired and my patience wears thin quicker. But I remind myself that my initial mission was (and still is) to provide the same level of professionalism and quality of teaching to beginning and intermediate students as can be found in conservatories for advanced students.
Adults will often ask if I dislike hearing these same beginning lessons over and over. "This must drive you crazy", is the usual remark. I usually just smile and say, "Nope! Not at all. Now let's play Hot Cross Buns one more time."