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By Earl Marsden

 Teaching music is very difficult. Getting the most from your students is something extremely difficult, but it can be done. When engaging in music teaching, you must remember certain rules so you can mold your students into the best possible performers.

First, always give them technical studies. Yes, they’ll hate them. Why? Because they’re boring! Playing scales up and down or practicing the chromatic scale can be quite dull. Running the scales can do nothing but great things to their finger speed and future improvisation successes.

Other technical practices to be remembered are the all-to-boring tonguing exercises and finger dexterity exercises. Failing to use these skills while teaching music will lead to your students hitting an improvement wall going 70 mph!

Second, you’ll want to focus on breathing. Air is the source of life for the trumpet! Breathing exercises should be practiced regularly. Your students may become embarrassed while performing these but let them know that their success depends on they’re breathing capability.

Teach them the correct way to breathe so they don’t tense-up. Show the proper relaxed breathing techniques. Let them hear how much warmer the tones of the instrument are when they use proper breathing techniques!

Set standards! Teaching music is as difficult as it comes. You will find students becoming lazy…believe me! Always give standards. If you teach them once per week, make sure they have something prepared each and every time - something that will steadily increase their skill and performance.

Have them prepare scales with zero imperfections. Make them practice etudes and melodies to improve their skill. Without setting minimum standards, they will not be challenged into focusing while practicing. Without focus during practicing, the student will simply be wasting precious time.

Last but not the least; you must play with them at practice. Show them what it’s supposed to sound like. Show them how good you are and why. They will listen and want to strive to sound like you. You may not think too highly of your skills but they will and this motivation will allow them to vastly improve themselves. Teaching music is about this motivation and inspiration. Give it to them!

These are just ideas about music teaching that I wanted to share with you. I’ve learned these throughout my years of performing and teaching music to the younger generation. If there is one thing I’ve learned the most it’s that with a little motivation and encouragement, young students can become great musicians!

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