Frustrating.

But - I solved the problem.

And I could have only solved the problem in a group lesson environment.

Being Rude? Or Just Tough Love?

Now, you have to trust that I made the right call in this situation.

So - all you Judgmental Judy's and Critical Carl's just need to hear me out.

I wouldn't do this with every student... but I knew it was the right tactic to take with Christi because of her personality. She loved to joke and was naturally sarcastic... a very funny 8-year old.

When she would say: "I don't know how to find my hand position!!!"

I started saying this:

"Christi, do you know how to count to five?"

"Yes."

"OK, then watch my magic finger."

With great drama, I would extend my pointer finger and slowly move it to the page and point to the finger number at the start of the song (at the beginning of EVERY song in the Faber method).

"What number do you see here?"

She would say: "That's a one."

"And what letter is right under it?"

"That's a Middle C."

"So, where do you think the book wants you to put your hand?"

She'd look down... and then put her thumb on Middle C.

Then, I would get down on her level, look her straight in the eye, and say: "You didn't need me to show you that. You could have just taken YOUR finger and pointed at the page."

Then... on the very next song... we would repeat this charade.

We did this week after week. Weeks dragged into months! Her progress was slower than my average student.

It got to the point where I just started saying: "Figure it out... you can use your finger to point at the first note just as easily as I can."

And then...

I would walk away from her and work with another student in the group.

The significance of this is HUGE.

I forced her to be independent... and that could have only happened in a group environment. She knew that she was NOT the focal point of attention in the room.

Was I being rude? Or was it tough love?

I think it was tough love...

And, I outlasted her.

I don't know if it was mischievousness, learned helplessness, or laziness.

But - what I do know is that she came one week... and she just learned her music. And a LOT of it.

And then the next week and the week after that.

She stayed in my studio for a long time... And she completed the beginner method and moved into intermediate music.

She's one of my favorite group success stories.