The First Lesson

This is one of my favourite moments in the teaching year – the very first lesson of a beginner student.

They turn up, all shiny and new.  And the instruments turn up all shiny and new.  This might be the first time you’ve met the student/s and the first time they’ve met you.  Greet them in a friendly manner, ask their name (even if you already know it) and tell them your name – it’s super important. 

The first lesson is where you start to get to know your students.  Ask some personal questions – what school do you go to is always a good one.  If you know another student or a teacher or have some other connection with that school, mention it.  It’s a good ice-breaker and it shows that not only are you interested in the student, but on some level your worlds intersect.

Ask them why they want to play music, or your instrument in particular. What are their goals?  Do they already have experience with music?  Explain that while you get to know what they can do or can’t do, you’ll be asking lots of questions.  You might explain things that they already know (and it’s ok for them to say that they know it) or you might not explain things you think they know but don’t (again, tell them it’s ok to ask for clarification).

Then it’s time to get down to business.  Hand out instruments, or if they already have it, have them open the case (and teach them how to open the case if it’s not obvious!).  I start by just looking at the flute.  I get the student to touch the keys and see which key moves which other keys. I talk about the different parts of the flute and we play a silly game to learn the names of the parts.

Every instrument is different and your approach to the beginning of lessons will be different for each instrument.  With the flute, certainly the first lesson is spent just using the headjoint getting a clear, consistent sound.  You will need to think carefully about your instrument, and how to best begin.

The first lesson is also a good time to talk about taking care of instruments and where to store them at home.

Make sure you assign some kind of homework on this lesson – they’ll be excited and want to show off what they learned.  Keep it easy and manageable, but do let them know your expectations.  I’ll tell kids they need to play their flute to everyone who comes to their house during the week – mum, Grandpa, the cat, even the plumber.  Lucky plumber…!