I received a phone call from a former student. Tom is a bit older than me and is battling Alzheimer's. He stopped lessons a couple of months ago out of sheer frustration. I didn't blame him even a little bit. It wasn't just that he would forget how to do things or his understanding of what certain things meant, but he remembered that he used to know that stuff. You know the aggravation of forgetting someone's name? It's right on the tip of your tongue but you still can't remember. That's Tom's life every day.
So Tom wants to resume lessons. We had a brief chat and I think that his expectations have been reevaluated and adjusted. I'm not sure what we will accomplish but if he's willing to try then I'm in. Many a miracle has occurred because of faith and hope. I'm not necessarily expecting a miracle, but I'm willing to keep an open mind just in case.
I think that students and teachers often have expectations of each other or make assumptions of one another that can be out of alignment with reality. Many of my adult students will apologize for not being "talented" and for waiting so long to begin. They think that my preference is to only teach children who are prodigies. There are teachers who get angry because a young student isn't practicing hard enough to make it to the concert stage. And some parents who wonder if their child (who won't stop picking her nose) is secretly a musical genius. They could learn from Tom. Do what you can and enjoy the process.
I have been fortunate to have taught some very talented people over the years. A small handful have gone on or are going on to professional careers. Some teach, or compose, or perform in various musical styles including rock, pop, reggae, celtic, Americana, jazz, classical, and one self-styled extreme acoustic guitarist. But I've also been fortunate enough to teach other equally talented musicians who have no professional aspirations. They just want to play music. In the middle are the majority of my students who just want to have fun. Their skills and talents vary but their enjoyment is universal.
Participating in some artistic endeavors has a different meaning and significance for each person. For some it's self expression and personal growth. For Tom it's a bitter struggle to push back against this disease.
My goal as a teacher is to help each student establish reasonable expectations and then help them exceed them. I've never worked with an Alzheimer's patient before so I'm learning to be creative and innovative. Fortunately Tom and his care-giver wife have been very patient with me as I stumble about looking for the best ways to help. Together we will laugh and/or grumble and establish weekly goals that will make the process as enjoyable as possible. As I teach him I know that he will be teaching me also. I look forward to our time together.