6 ways to make time for creativity: #1 be reactive
This one is a little controversial!
If they feel relaxed, many students will start messing around on the piano, particularly when you’re talking to them.
I used to find this really annoying—I often still do, if I’m being totally honest!—but when a student does this, it’s actually useful.
It’s useful in two ways. Firstly, it’s a sign that we’ve not completely captured our student’s interest and we may need to recalibrate our communication with them or pick another more engaging focus.
More importantly, messing around is an opportunity to get creative.
Nowadays, when a student is messing around, I often join in with them and create a duet part with them that reacts to what they’re doing.
The advantages of this are:
it’s often really fun
it teaches your student that creativity is welcome. This is crucial. Most children start off willing to improvise, and then gradually lose confidence. Most of this, I suspect, is because teachers inadvertently discourage them from creativity.
in my experience the “messing around” usually lasts only a few minutes, by which time the student is ready to concentrate again
This is the most controversial part of my thoughts on this topic and I would be surprised if some readers don’t disagree with me. That’s OK. Constructive disagreement makes us better teachers (provided it is constructive!)
Can I just ask, though; before you shoot me down in flames, please can you try it out?
Really enjoy reading your thoughts and opinions on this subject Garreth!
This one is very interesting and from now on I will take this with and try it out.
Especially the part about them losing that self esteem and not feeling confident to be free and just try something. I recognise that and would love to change that.
A great reframe on creating paths for creativity and musical exploration and utilizing often times restless energy!