Matthew | Teacher #4136

Teaching Philosophy

To me, music is the closest thing we have to magic in this world. It is the thing that gives me the most purpose and meaning in my life, so I love the opportunity to share some of my knowledge with other people so they can feel the same. I fundamentally believe that anybody can learn music, an instrument, sing, write a song. I do not like elitism or excluding anybody and I reject the idea that music, and art in general, is only for certain people. We all sang, danced and colored as children and it's a huge sadness that some people stop doing that at a certain age for whatever reason. This is the base of my teaching philosophy. I teach in a way that feels like you're playing as a child. Not solely because you want to achieve a certain level, or to be praised by others, but rather, because it is fun and it brings you joy. I like to retain this element of play and fun in my lessons, while also integrating music theory, aural skills and playing techniques that will aid student development, both within the lessons and by themselves. I know from experience that as soon as you see a lesson or practice as ''work'', people procrastinate and give up. I like to teach in a way that is fun, engaging and stimulating that also results in my student's skills being developed at the same time. I began playing guitar with 3 years of classical guitar lessons (my Dad's idea), and while it was beneficial in the long run, I almost quit. I viewed practice like homework and I would try to get out of lessons. Eventually, I asked to switch to electric guitar. My new teacher then began to teach me songs that I wanted to learn, and not what he thought was best. From that moment I was hooked. I would play guitar to put off doing homework or chores, to the point where my mother had to ask me to stop because it was late in the evening. Ultimately, learning guitar for fun is by far the best way to fall in love with the instrument and to keep it up over the years. Lessons essential for learning good technique, habits and to understand the instrument. But, if you can inspire your student to play in-between lessons, for fun. It is truly amazing how much progress can be made!