You’ve brought up the connection between your name “Pei-Shan” and the word “patience,” referencing how it’s a core aspect of being a good teacher that is also built into your name. Can you share why you think patience is such an integral part of being a good teacher and what ways you use patience with your own students?
To be patient, a person must realize that the learning process is never a straight line, just like riding a roller coaster full of ups and downs, along with fear, excitement, and happiness. As a teacher, I address the student’s existing problems over and over again without losing patience and giving up because of the importance of establishing a good habit right away. Since each individual is unique, no one ought to follow others’ learning paths, and as a teacher, patience comes from acknowledging that each student is different. I explore a variety of ways to explain different concepts and solutions to help find the ones that work for each student. Simultaneously, I help the student create the ability of critical and independent thinking because they will become their own teachers that way!
Parents, while balancing their professional lives, stressful work meetings, and their love and dedication to their family, will confront moments where patience isn’t easy. When it comes to motivating a stubborn child to practice, what suggestions do you have that will make their parenting job just a little bit easier?
To begin, it’s important to be patient in the very beginning. Getting used to the initial awkwardness of how to hold the violin and bow, as well as playing in tune can be very challenging - even professional violinists continue to work on playing intonation.
Parent encouragement and support are very important for the learning process. Taking this role helps kids naturally practice and enjoy doing it. For parents, I suggest trying to engage in music-related events as a family. These can include concerts, ballets, theater, and movies. This helps build exposure to music and often when children are inspired by a particular song, they are more willing to practice compared to a sense of being forced as a response to authority.
Another suggestion is for parents to learn and practice with their child in the beginning stage. Although it takes time, it’s worth it in the long term. Perseverance, having a positive attitude, discipline, problem-solving ability, boldness, and concentration are all acquired and developed through failures, frustrations, and tedious repetitions during each practice session. Having a supportive parent there with them helps children work through these emotions and hurdles. Last but not least, it will always feel easier to give up but it’s important for parents to ensure their child stays committed once they decide to take lessons.
Violin students have to think about and carry out several movements at the same time. One hand needs to decide on the notes, another hand/arm is using a completely different motion to produce the sound, all while trying to avoid the dreaded “screetchy” sound. When it comes to a student’s practice session, what approaches can s/he do that will help mentally and physically balance these simultaneous considerations?
As a rule of thumb, staying relaxed both mentally and physically is the first step. Anxious rushing to achieve a certain goal usually makes things worse.
Consider the violin to be a delicate scientific product, which sensitively reflects whatever inputs we provide. When a scratchy and harsh sound is the feedback we get from the violin, something must be amiss with our execution, such as somehow“wrong” placement and contact point of the bow with the strings, or the different angle or pressure from the left fingers. To solve the problem, it is always helpful to pause and consider the possible causes of generating an undesired sound. While playing, slow down to examine and feel the changes in each muscle. Imagine the energy and the passion as a flowing from the heart and mind. Don’t be afraid of using your imagination to try out different possibilities. Each failure is the foundation for success to come. Only through immeasurable attempts and perseverance can one expect the arrival of success and enjoy relaxation and the fun while playing the violin someday.
Every teacher has a fun and memorable story from a lesson with a student. What is your most memorable lesson with one of your own students?
I had a student with an expressive language disorder and difficulty with posture because of scoliosis. She was unable to speak during her lessons and I had to rely on body language to communicate. After working with her for almost a year, she, to my surprise, for the first time since we began lessons together, spoke - she asked me whether she could perform in the end-of-semester recital. I quickly followed up with her request to ask what repertoire she had prepared. She slowly began to speak and in a clear slow voice said the piece she was eager to play.
That was my first time hearing her voice, which was so sweet and lovely. In that moment, I truly realized how music is a way of expression and communication. Even though she had difficulties and physical limitations, playing the violin had become a tool for her to speak and express herself to the world and people. On the day of the recital, I was moved and impressed by her confident performance, the satisfaction on her face, and of course, her big charming smile.