The Quest for Ideal Violin Teachers:  

Best Qualities and Qualifications (Part 1 of 2)

Parents always want the best for their children.  Parents would leave no stone unturned to find the one thing that would make their children succeed in life.  Yes, parents would devote time and energy in search of ideal violin teachers.  A good teacher is one of the most important factors that could greatly affect and influence your child’s progress.

In your quest to find a good violin instructor, be on the lookout for both ‘qualities’ and ‘qualifications’. Qualities refer to the personal characteristics or attitude that a teacher should possess.  It would define how the teacher would interact, motivate, and empathize with his/her student.

Here are some qualities to watch out for in a violin instructor that could give you an indication whether you’ve found ‘the ideal match’ for your kid or not.

 

Qualities and To Look For In A Violin Teacher:

  1. Patient

“Patience is a virtue”, is an overused cliché.  However, it is a disposition that a teacher should never lose when teaching a student. A teacher should have the patience to manage a child’s learning pace.  He should have the tolerance for mistakes and the persistence to fine-tune them.

  1. Detail -oriented

Violin lessons are not all about fingering techniques.  Body position, proper posture, expression, movement, all come into play. Students may acquire some nuances or bad habits while playing the instrument.  A good teacher should be able to spot and address them at once.

  1. Enthusiastic, Inspiring, and Supportive

Happiness, passion, and enthusiasm are contagious.  Find a teacher who truly possesses the joy of teaching, someone who is truly passionate about his craft of playing the violin.  If your child feels that positive vibe, he will always look forward to his violin classes.  Also learning becomes easy when you’re having fun.  However, in difficult and challenging moments, a teacher should always be empathic, sensitive, and encouraging.

  1. Perceptive and Flexible

Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas, a renowned clinical psychologist specializing in applied behavior said,  “If a child cannot learn in the way we teach, we must teach in a way the child can learn.”  Yes, there are established methods in teaching the violin.  However, not all children have the same learning abilities.  A teacher should be able to identify this and adjust her teaching approach according to the needs of the child.

  1. Compatibility with Your Child’s Personality  

There’s a certain mystery to how people naturally get along with someone.  Their personalities somehow click instantly.  While there are relationships that are built overtime or grow with circumstances.   As you talk with your prospective teacher, try to get a feel if he or she could get along well with your child.  Interaction and learning is easier when your child is on the same wavelength with his teacher.

A child’s interest and enthusiasm in violin lessons could be likened to his or her fascination with a big and red shiny balloon.  It is filled with fiery passion.  It could soar to the high heavens.  And yet, so vulnerable that one tiny pin could shatter it into pieces. With the above qualities, a teacher should be able to bring out the best in your child and unleash his potential.

Never has there been greater opportunity for a child to learn and love music. By enrolling them in violin lessons, parents not only give their children provident skills, they also help them develop a strong foundation that would help them achieve their full potential mentally, physically, emotionally and socially. Just be sure to look for the right teacher who would be their partner in this endeavour. Be sure to check out part two this article series for more tips and tricks.