When Teaching piano feels life draining...

Not long ago a sweet friend of mine said six words that really set me to thinking... she said, "Teaching piano is sucking my soul." What's sad is I completely understood what she was saying. Teaching piano for so many years brought me to a point where I no longer loved music - in fact, I think I can safely say I resented it.

Parents, please take a moment to appreciate your child's teachers. Recognize that most of them are giving up evenings and weekends they could spend with their own families to teach yours piano lessons. They sit week after week teaching and reteaching skills that are only mastered through practice that doesn't seem to happen, then are blamed when the child has not learned what a parent thinks they should have learned. Your teacher got to the point they are at because of years of dedication and practice of the music they love. It does not happen magically overnight.

Teachers, don't give up. Keep fighting the fight. Don't be afraid to set rules and boundaries, and don't be afraid to be honest with your students and their parents. Without you there will be no music in future generations and that's a very sad thought.