A young beginner pupil is, indeed, an object for study, as well as a child to be taught. To a conscientious teacher a beginner pupil is a problem. In order to unfold that ability which is in the child, the teacher must first study what way to adopt in order to accomplish this unfolding in a worthy manner.
The first line of attack, so to speak, is to gain the interest of this pupil. In so doing the teacher has caused a spark which might be "fanned" into a small flame of enthusiasm; and this in turn will make "power" for effort on the pupil's part. The desired results of unfoldment will gradually be brought about by this effort in the pupil.
To interest a beginner pupil, a teacher may use many clever methods. But the most reliable and the one upon which all methods of interest are founded is briefly stated thus: Give the pupil material which he is capable of doing. When he discovers that his fingers can easily do this, then he feels confident that he can play. Naturally, this sudden realization would create interest in any child; and after he has done so well with his first little piece he becomes anxious for more. But, right here the teacher must be careful. Realizing that only the "spark" has existed so far, he must go easy or it will go out.
The next proper move the teacher should make is first to study the character of the material just mastered by the pupil. Then, select more material similar to the first. Even if it is almost like the first, the pupil does not care, just so he knows that he has received a new piece.
As the pupil grows more acquainted with this form of material, discontinue it and introduce new things which require a little more effort on the pupil's part. But this change must be done with much discretion.
After a short while, the teacher will see his pupil progressing upward into more difficult pieces with surprising quickness, and will have the satisfaction of knowing it is the result of his own correct instructions. And the product of this work is an interested and enthusiastic pupil.
About this article
This article, written by Earl S. Hilton, was taken from the July 1923 issue of "Etude Musical Magazine."
Emily Sigers
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