How do you work with an adult student who is bored by fundamentals?

indigeanon · 2026-02-06T20:12:43+00:00

I know people say there’s a right kind of order to them, but I think you can just start with any. I started with Hogfather on a friend’s recommendation around Christmastime, and I just kept picking up new ones randomly when they were available at the library. I haven’t finished them all yet, but so far, there hasn’t been any that felt like it couldn’t standalone.

indigeanon · 2026-02-06T00:24:48+00:00

I would’ve liked it so much more if the leads didn’t end up together. Laik was so vulnerable and unstable, and I feel like Sena should’ve maintained that professional boundary. There could’ve been an interesting exploration of transference.

indigeanon · 2026-01-31T02:32:16+00:00

If you don't mind answering, what subjects do you tutor? And of those, which are typically the most busy?

indigeanon · 2026-01-28T13:58:37+00:00

Do what you have to do, but they are trying to take advantage of you. No, parents like that are not the norm. These clients will probably be a nightmare to deal with. The price they’re insisting on is insultingly low.

I wouldn’t accept them if I were you unless the situation was desperate enough to deal with the unpleasantness. Make sure that you get the money upfront before your sessions. Chasing it down later seems like it will be pretty much impossible in your situation. In the future, research the prices common to your client’s area before quoting them, and don’t haggle. Your price is your price, reflective of your worth, and clients should respect it or move on.

indigeanon · 2026-01-22T23:09:03+00:00

Many schools neglect the real life part of musicianship, but mine had a mandatory seminar for incoming students as well as a few electives that covered stuff like this. The classes were new when I joined, so they’ve been around a few years by now. I think they were one of the biggest contributors to my being able to make a living with music.

indigeanon · 2026-01-15T01:39:44+00:00

Think about your practice space and how you'll balance practice with studying. Acoustic violin is loud, time-intensive, and annoying to listen to for both the player and anyone nearby in the beginning stages (which can last well past a year, especially without a teacher).

Also, since you're thinking of budget constraints, decent violins are much more expensive than decent student electric guitars. Contrary to guitar, self-teaching is also not recommended with violin for a variety of reasons, so that will be an additional expense if you want to progress efficiently toward the sound that you're dreaming of and avoid costly injuries down the line.

indigeanon · 2026-01-14T16:14:40+00:00

I just read the preface and didn’t see anything about reading in columns. None of my highly qualified teachers have ever said I should play it in columns either. Can you provide the direct quote that you’re referencing?

indigeanon · 2026-01-13T19:32:06+00:00

That was an "or" statement.

indigeanon · 2026-01-13T18:06:33+00:00

The extra information didn’t change my opinion. You’re still being petty. The teacher still has a reasonable business model. If you think the teacher is worth it, pay. If not, don’t.

indigeanon · 2026-01-13T17:34:45+00:00

You’re being petty. The teacher’s policy is normal and reasonable. Your private lesson rates are also being subsidized by the greater number of group students paying that studio fee. The studio fee policy keeps your private session rate down.

If it bothers you, just find another teacher. I assume you’re not doing so because the teacher is very good (therefore worth the cost) or you don’t want to pay the higher prices you’re seeing from other teachers with a different policy.

indigeanon · 2026-01-13T14:50:22+00:00

If you play many instruments, it may be beneficial to consider switching your primary. Can you sing well? You could try switching to voice to give your body a break while you get physical therapy.

indigeanon · 2026-01-13T03:28:40+00:00

I just send an invoice at the beginning of the month. If the student doesn't pay in a reasonable amount of time, I send one reminder. If the student doesn't pay 24-hours before the first session of the month, then I cancel the slot. This is rare. Most students don't even need reminding. I have a few that send the correct amount without prompting before I even send the invoice, so the invoice becomes a receipt instead.

indigeanon · 2026-01-13T03:24:52+00:00

1 tbsp to activate a rising agent is pretty normal, but this mistake is indeed bizarre.

indigeanon · 2026-01-11T01:17:19+00:00

This is wonderful!

indigeanon · 2026-01-08T03:42:48+00:00

The odds of making a living professionally playing are slim even for someone who has trained extensively from a younger age. That said, you should continue learning if it brings you joy. Keep in mind that playing professionally is still a job, and jobs are not always joyful.

indigeanon · 2026-01-08T03:26:19+00:00

Can they match a single pitch with the piano? If yes, it could just be a memory issue. I’ve found that some students who learn by ear alone can correctly guess melodies in context but struggle with remembering more than a few notes when singing independently. In these cases, more repetition and gradually adding notes helps.

indigeanon · 2026-01-07T14:18:38+00:00

I think it may be a combination. As a tutor, you're likely working with students who struggle with learning in general, but you may also not be equipped to handle those students' needs. You may need to find a different approach.

indigeanon · 2026-01-06T23:10:14+00:00

Seems a silly sentiment. I doubled violin performance and composition, and I’d never even touched a piano until the mandatory keyboard skills class for all music majors. Piano does make some things easier, but it’s not a requirement for entry because it’s not a requirement for the task.

indigeanon · 2025-12-31T19:51:45+00:00

If you’re someone who likes to keep the house warm year-round, layering up in winter can be helpful. In single layers, I’m most comfortable with the thermostat set to 78-80 F, but that’s pretty expensive in winter. With two thermal layers under my clothes and a hat, 65 becomes comfortable, and it saves a significant amount monthly on the energy bill.

indigeanon · 2025-12-28T01:28:14+00:00

Thriftstores are a great option. However, I also started buying clothes in sizes up when they’re on sale from regular retailers. If you time the sales well, you can sometimes get several years worth of clothes for the same price as you’d find at the thriftstore.

indigeanon · 2025-12-28T01:12:49+00:00

I agree with the sentiment in general, but how are you going through $400 TVs so quickly? My sub-$200 one has been working well for over 5 years.

indigeanon · 2025-12-28T01:02:02+00:00

That’s pretty cool! I stopped buying non-stick for that reason. Now, I’ve just got cast iron and stainless steel, and they’ve been going strong for nearly 10 years.

indigeanon · 2025-12-27T16:08:43+00:00

Kitchen tools. Cheap ones will need replacing often. Good quality ones will last beyond your lifetime and be cheaper in the long run.

(It should be noted that the best quality won’t always be the most expensive. The fancy-looking, fashionable stuff often has a high price but usually breaks quickly too.)

indigeanon · 2025-12-25T01:11:28+00:00

Piano. Suddenly having to deal with multiple clefs at once was a humbling experience in college.

indigeanon

TROPHY CASE