Rachel Wood
My Approach
My musical education played a pivotal role in shaping me as a musician, equipping me with the tools, knowledge, and experience to effectively support my students. However, my journey was not without it's challenges. Learning an instrument is incredibly demanding, requiring immense time, patience, and dedication. As a child, I often felt overwhelmed by difficult repertoire and lacked support at home, as my parents were not musicians. While I am grateful for the high level of education I received, I still felt I had not fully mastered efficient practice techniques, confidence in high-pressure environments, or received guidance on emotional support and mindset necessary to achieve these goals.
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In many high-pressure creative industries, emotional wellbeing remains a largely taboo subject. Despite being a sensitive child, I recall limited communication with teachers or peers about my feelings. The emphasis was consistently on progress and achievement on our instruments.
Recognising this gap, I have committed to using my skills and knowledge to connect with my students on a deeper level. By understanding them as individuals, I aim to foster a nurturing environment that cultivates healthy, confident, and motivated individuals. This holistic approach not only enhances their artistic abilities but also supports their overall emotional wellbeing. Moreover, it ensures that sensitive but talented children do not fall through the gaps, receiving the encouragement and support they need to thrive.
As educators, I believe it is our duty to ensure that students feel supported and understood, providing them with all the physical and emotional tools necessary to achieve their goals. Ultimately, this approach positively affects their everyday lives and achievements in other school areas too.
Here are some of my fundamental principles that you can expect from my lessons:
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01
Connection
The foundation of every lesson is building a connection with my students. I gauge their mood and adapt my teaching style to make the lesson enjoyable and effective. Whether they need a calm, repetitive session or an energetic, interactive one, I tailor my approach accordingly.
02
Lesson Practice
Teaching students effective practice techniques is crucial. In some lessons, we focus on thoughtful repetition, helping them develop tools to stay motivated, supported and driven during their practice at home
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03
Avoiding Copying
Playing with students is crucial for inspiring and developing their musicality. However, I avoid having them mimic me when learning new pieces. This approach fosters independence, patience, and the ability to work through pieces on their own, ultimately building their confidence.
04
Reading & Knowledge
From the very first lesson, reading music is emphasised. This skill fosters independence, enabling students to explore music on their own and practice effectively. Beginner lessons incorporate theory elements to support their progress in reading music.
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Thinking is Welcome
I encourage students to figure things out for themselves, fostering independence and problem-solving skills. I am patient, allowing them to think for as long as they need, providing support only when necessary. This approach may result in slower progress initially, but it ensures deep understanding and long-term success. By giving students time, they develop a realistic understanding of their abilities and build confidence in their problem-solving skills, which become quicker and more efficient over time.
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Fun!
Lessons should be enjoyable. Balancing fun with clear goals keeps students engaged and motivated.
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No Judgement
There’s no judgement in my lessons. I understand and empathise with students, whether they’re having an off day or haven't practiced. Low motivation often ties to low confidence, which we address together.
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Parental Involvement
From the very beginning, I encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning, minimising the need for extensive parental involvement. Parents can feel confident as their child develops self-motivation and establishes consistent practice routines. However, I maintain regular communication with parents, ensuring that if any additional support at home becomes necessary, you will be promptly informed.
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Emotional Wellbeing
Maintaining a positive emotional state is crucial for productive lessons. If a student is facing difficulties, we prioritise addressing their emotional needs first, aiming to establish common ground to facilitate constructive learning. In rare instances, I may feel it is necessary to reschedule the lesson.
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Perfecting
We take our time to build solid foundations, ensuring that students feel completely secure before moving forward. Although this approach can sometimes be frustrating, students quickly recognise it's benefits and often request additional time to master concepts. This thorough method not only prepares students well for exams and performances but also ultimately builds their confidence.
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Metronome
Building on solid foundations, the metronome becomes a vital tool in my lessons. It helps polish pieces and develop rhythmic accuracy and consistency for performances and exams. The love/hate relationship between students and the metronome has become a longstanding joke in our lessons, but I'm sure they would all agree it's now an indispensable part of their practice routine.
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Mindset & Mindfulness
Mindset is at the core of our lessons. We focus on positive self-talk, constructive responses to mistakes and overcoming challenges. This approach builds resilience and confidence and means that we will be always working at the most efficient pace.
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Individual goals
Each student is unique and I adapt my teaching to suit their goals, whether they aspire to perform regularly and submit exams or simply enjoy their lessons.
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Toolbox
Students need a 'toolbox' of skills to work independently. We regularly revisit these tools to ensure they can tackle any musical challenge during their practice.
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No Pressure
While we set goals, the focus is on keeping students motivated and enjoying their musical journey. We discuss how to achieve results, ensuring students feel supported rather than pressured.
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​Home Practice
While practice is important; understanding students individual needs and challenges is vital. I support students in creating effective practice schedules, emphasising productive practice and rest when necessary.
My approach aims to foster not only musical excellence but also emotional well-being and resilience when motivation is low.
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The all-rounded musician
The ultimate end goal is developing the all-rounded musician. My students often excel in performances, exams and ensembles, becoming reliable, self-assured musicians who thrive in various aspects of school life.