The First Few Lessons

William Lovelock in 1936

(Practical Hints on the Teaching of Music)

A thorough knowledge of the subject

being taught
Patience

Perseverance
Tact

Enthusiasm
Punctuality

The ability to impart knowledge

Your experiences of first

lessons:
Your very first teacher
Your second teacher
Your first lesson at music
college/university?

Types of first lessons

Complete beginners
Inherited pupils
Individual lesson
Group lesson
New teacher
New or related instrument
Children and adults

Golden rules
First impressions
Rapport
Show an interest
Make expectations clear

Praise (reward systems for

younger pupils)

Inherited pupils
Tread carefully
Assess the pupil BUT never criticise the
previous teacher!
Be sensitive to repertoire preferences

Are all aspects of technique in place?

(Be aware of and on the look out for
common faults).

Adult pupils
respect
flexibility
sensitivity
understanding

Lesson Content

You cant plan a first lesson.

1)

2)

3)

Be resourceful with resources

For complete beginners will you use a tutor book/

devise your own material/both?

Will you introduce notation straight away? What

other options are available?

What tutor books are available for your instrument

and which do you prefer?

Paul Harris The Four Ps

(Improve Your Teaching Teaching Beginners, Faber, 2008)

Posture
Pulse

Phonology
Personality

The Five Environmental Principles

(Paul Harris, Improve Your Teaching Teaching Beginners, Faber, 2008)

All lessons should be fun and

pleasurable
Be creative
The importance of regular practice
Self-evaluation

A love for performing

How would you plan a 30

minute first lesson for
a) a complete beginner (age 10)?
b) an adult returning to study after 20
years?