One thing I enjoy about my work is I get to talk with a lot of violin and fiddle teachers from all over. I love hearing how they started teaching. What stages and ages they enjoy the most. What music fires them up. What songs and skills they consider essential.

 

And I hear their frustrations. Something I hear again and again from teachers is that their students are not as motivated to play and practice enough. Teachers want their students to feel motivation for learning music that goes beyond simply completing the book they are in or getting to the next level in the program. 

 

One way to motivate your students is to tap into their natural curiosity. Curiosity is present in all kids and it easily translates into energy. 

 

For instance, many of my students (who learn a lot of traditional music) are curious about the classical world.  They have friends who play classical, they see it performed, there is a seriousness and challenge about it that intrigues them. And when they learn it, it fires them up.  And that energy impacts all the music they are learning.

 

There is something about exploring the other side of the proverbial fence that increases the motivation to play and practice. 

 

It works both ways…

 

Kids that study classical violin, have a curiosity about fiddling. When they are introduced to it, many feel that excitement and energy that comes when we travel somewhere entirely new. They are not adhering to specific bowings. They change the tune in small ways. They use an open note instead of using their 4th finger. They rely more on their ears. All of these things feed that natural curiosity. And when it is integrated -- even a small amount -- into their music education, the classical music they learn and play and progress in, becomes more interesting and is appreciated and enjoyed in a whole new way.

 

Tapping into that natural curiosity is one of the easiest ways you can inject some energy into your student’s desire to play and practice. 

 

And FiddleQuest can help. We have tools that supplement your teaching curriculum and provide an easy, structured, way for your students to explore and learn many styles of music. 

 

It takes effort  to build a teaching program that keeps your students engaged and motivated. But that is not something that you have to figure out or design all on your own. There are thousands of teachers in the same boat as you trying to figure out solutions to the same problem. And many have found their way to FiddleQuest. 

 

If you are a teacher who wants to inject a little more fun and diversity in your teaching and motivation for your students, take a look at the 2 tools designed for teachers who want to stay with their existing curriculum.

 

Finally, as an extra encouragement to give FiddleQuest a try, if you sign up this month, you can get a studio license for half off. Use the promotion code wintergrass.

 

Thanks for your interest.