Students who are inconsistent will rarely succeed. Teachers should put student consistency ahead of money at all times. If your students are not consistent and you keep accepting their fees you are making money the higher priority. This will ultimately backfire. You might try and justify it by using quotes like 'You can bring a horse to water but you can't make him drink'. This may be so but you should only charge the horse if he actually drinks. If you are accepting money from students knowing they are inconsistent and unlikely to succeed you need to take action.
"I can't make my lesson because I have to work" again....
What is the real reason your student can't make their lesson? Is it because they have to work overtime or study for a big exam? I think anyone who goes to the trouble and expense of buying a guitar signing up for lessons truly wants to be able to play guitar. The problem is that there is another little voice in their head pulling them in different directions. Perhaps they really wants to play guitar but work or school seem to get in the way. They rationalise that their job pays for guitar lessons and everything else. This means that when it comes to deciding between job/school and guitar the guitar will lose out every time. But is deciding between work and guitar really the issue?
Guitar v screen time
Most of these same students probably spend 4 to 5 hours a day on a screen whether it be TV or PC. The choice should not be between guitar or work but should be between guitar or screen time. In this case I simply say to students "To be successful on guitar you need to be first and foremost consistent. You need to be able to allocate time to daily practice and a regular weekly lesson. Can we have a look at your schedule and see if we can work something out?" At this point I will go through their week day by day until we have decided on a schedule they can stick with. I will then talk about what will happen in that unlikely event that they get called away for work or have a big exam. In most cases its just a matter of planning ahead.
Eliminate all excuses
My single aim is to eliminate all excuses and ensure the student makes each and every lesson and practices 5 to 7 days a week for 30 minutes minimum. I am relentless on this point. If I have exhausted every option (which is rare) I will explain to the student that its best that they stop lessons for now. I point out that I can't continue to take their money. It just doesn't feel right but whenever they feel they are ready to commit to consistent practice and weekly lessons I would be more than happy to try again.
- G4 GUITAR Teacher Network
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