Dear Alma, Is it still OK to teach music one on one?
NewsDear Alma
You may remember I wrote to you a while back about losing my job in music teaching as a result of a ‘minor offence’ – which should not have warranted a bar to this particular institution & subsequently finding other equivalent employment.
Sadly, it’s not only me that has had these negative experiences. In basic terms, music teachers in the UK have few rights now (admittedly some pretty horrific cases reported on slippedisc.com quite rightly & fairly changed public perception). But I do believe that the vast majority of music teachers (particularly those teaching on a one to one basis) are open to the most ridiculous type of allegations & indeed with extra- teaching matters which have absolutely no relevance to their total ability to teach children in a ‘safe manner’ as defined by UK Law. The situation, as it is now, is leading to, sometimes tragic, career ending situations for those whom have made it their chosen profession.
Advice?
Dear Advice?,
Teaching, as a profession, can be a satisfying and stable way to make a living. It offers flexibility, creativity, and is a way to continue to learn and grow as a musician and person. The topic you raise above, Advice?, is an extremely important element of this profession, because if you are not prepared, trained, and protected, your living can be abruptly ended, and you could be liable for damages.
I would encourage the Slippedisc community to weigh in on this important issue in the comments section, as this is a great place to share information and experiences.
My two cents? We live in a complicated world, with changing regulations, expectations, and varied experiences. We need to protect both ourselves and our students. As far as I can tell, there are no legal obligations in the UK to have a background check for a teacher, or to take a child safety course. However, these would be good ideas both for yourself and to reassure parents. Take a child safety course, and you may discover things that you didn’t realize could be seen as controversial or harmful. I always encourage parents to stay in the lesson, and if they can’t, to video or audio record the lessons. This is another win-win situation.
I would also encourage you to write up a clear Code of Conduct or Policy, outlining both your personal conduct rules and expectations of the student, and have the parent sign the document. Encourage prospective students to reach out for references.
As a young student, I had a teacher who would, without asking, force my hand into a position while I was playing which regularly made me cry as I was playing. He would continue to hold my hand, even when tears were running down my face. I consider this teacher to be one of my greatest mentors and someone who absolutely inspired me and taught me the rigorous fundamentals of my technique. However, this would never be allowed now. And I would never do this to a student. Never. I demonstrate myself, develop exercises to accomplish the same goals, and for certain I ask the student if I can touch their hand (or elbow) if I would like to show them something.
Advice?, I am sorry that your teaching career was cut short by what you consider to be an unfair event. This must hurt you and make you feel cheated and misunderstood. Perhaps you can find a way back by being officially trained and having your background checked. If it is what you love to do, don’t give up, fight for it and learn to see life from all different perspectives.
Questions for Alma? Please put them in the comments section or send to DearAlmaQuery@gmail.com
Chetham’s, Manchester has just sacked a long standing teacher with a proven record of student successes over many years. The sacking centres on the vexed question of ‘touching’ for which they seem to have no clear policy except to advise ‘no inappropriate touching’ (in other words don’t try and rape me). No physical contact – no hugs or kisses after exam/competition successes, no birthday/Christmas cards. What kind of society is this?
Children need protection (especially at a school with a dire record of sexual abuse) but are we not in danger of throwing the baby out with the bathwater?
We are increasingly living in a society of fear, where our natural instincts to nuture, care and to touch is being devalued. This has sad implications for the future of society in general , not to mention the type of musicians coming out of a top music school such as Chetham’s! They may all just end up playing like robots!!
….Musicians need a teaching approach that opens up the pathways to mental and emotional forces that influence pyscho dynamics- feelings as well as technique ……sorry for the teacher.
People have different sentiments on what kind of physical contact they find appropriate and comfortable, and have the right for such sentiments to be respected by others. If you are in a position of power, influence, or trust, the onus is on you not to make the ‘weaker’ party feel uncomfortable in this regard.
If you must propose to use physical contact, initiate it in such a way as to make plain what you intend to do, and slowly enough as to enable the other party to recoil or decline the contact gracefully — as somebody who really does not like hugging anyone except a couple of close blood relatives (in-laws are restricted to handshakes, and they have all learned to respect my rule on this without question), I am very practised at declining gracefully another party’s attempt to initiate a hug by the simple expedient of retreating a step (or, if retreat is not possible, tilting my head and torso backwards or sideways away from the other person) and extending my right hand forwards, thus converting the interaction to a handshake… only a very insensitive person can fail to get the hint.
In my teaching, I utilise physical contact solely in the following circumstances:
1. occasional handshakes (extending my hand in such a way as to give the other party the option to refuse… very unusual, but some people prefer not to shake hands for fear of catching an infection or due to arthritis or similar);
2. the minimum physical restraint reasonably necessary to prevent injury or damage (this is extremely rare, but occasionally necessary with younger children); and
3. the minimum physical contact reasonably necessary to guide hand/arm/elbow position (usually, tapping very gently with the tip of a pencil that is not too sharp), but only where alternative means such as verbal explanations or pointing would be either inadequate or grossly inefficient (in practice, the majority of the lessons I teach involve no physical contact at all).
Proscriptive even if it works for you. Not every one is the same and we shouldn’t assume that behind every teacher is the desire for a more intimate kind of contact. The staff rule book for Chethams (and similar institutions) seems absurd. Overkill. Still I guess they’re doing their best to avoid being closed down (which they should have been when their Head of School, Michael Brewer (for God’s sake!) and his wife were sentenced for grooming a girl with tragic consequences).
What instrument?
Protect yourself by installing a security camera that records either to the Cloud or a micro SD card.
Lots to choose from at reasonable prices on Amazon.
Great advice for Gen Snowflake’s teachers.
That might provide some protection, but what you say is helping the student with their bow grip someone might say is inappropriate contact. Probably safer if that camera records you asking for permission before touching!
Then won’t you need parental permission to record?
You would need written consent from students and or their parents to film them.
If you want to be really safe as a teacher, arrange two policemen to overview the lesson who also film the entire procedure and interview the pupil afterwards.
One to one teaching is essential. There exists (or should exist) a special relationship between a good teacher and student forged from the first lesson and, hopefully engendering a life long debt of gratitude. In specialist music schools by all means put in place as many devices (CCTV, etc) as are deemed necessary to ensure chid protection but keep the parents out of it. This is the pupil’s own special time with his/her mentor and they are embarking on a creative journey measurable theoretically in years. Parents an unnecessary distraction (and that’s assuming they want to be there). Invite them to observe occasionally for sure – they have a vested (not just financial) in their child’s progress and can be party to consistency in learning, discipline and practise. Group teaching? It affords more safeguards but it is essentially routine teaching (too fast/slow, too loud/soft) and doesn’t admit to the uniqueness of the private lesson. Touching? I couldn’t teach without being able to physically correct postural problems with regard to playing. I defy anyone to do otherwise. Ask permission of the student of course, be reassuring and gentle. Very few students would assume that there was malign intent. We are living in a society frightened of its own shadow.
I have never read a more asinine article on this blog and there are a lot of those! Serious classical music is studied one on one. end of story. also, sexual predators are evil. end of story.
music teachers need to continue to teach lessons. parents should be present for children under age 8.
the real reason, however, for sexual predator teachers is because for a long time, students didn’t report abuse WHEN IT HAPPENED. Parents (and relatives, teachers, clergy, and guidance counselors and other trusted adults) need to be proactive in educating children on protecting themselves. The child needs to be taught that something is abuse, and that it’s okay to report it, and not their fault.
over time, predators won’t get away with it and it will be less of an issue.
also, if you’re afraid of false accusations, use a video camera. I had a teacher in HS that was falsely accused and prevailed in court. and videotaped lessons to protect himself. so much easier nowadays with digital technology. just install one of those mini security cameras in your studio and just tell students it’s there. they’re super cheap.
Why is Alma writing about teaching in the UK with absolutely no knowledge of “Disclosure and Barring”?
Because she is very old and from Vienna.
“ there are no legal obligations to have a background check on a teacher in the UK” though this is just so shockingly ignorant of DBS laws… is she paid to write this rubbish?
Strictly speaking, there is no legal requirement to have a DBS check if undertaking *private* teaching, although it is considered best practice to obtain one (the paradox being that it is impossible for an individual to apply for a DBS check directly; one must apply through an organisation, institution, or professional association — the ISM, for instance, will arrange a relevant DBS check for those applying for its Registered Private Teacher status).
Of course, institutional work involving regular unsupervised contact with minors will almost invariably necessitate a DBS check.
Yes … Alma says non of this exists.
I would never send a child to a teacher without a DSB certificate.
MU and ISM arrange it for tutors who are not covered by institutions or agencies.
Julian Lloyd Webber is right—One-on-one music lessons are no longer tenable.
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/oct/07/scrap-one-to-one-music-tuition-says-julian-lloyd-webber-as-professor-faces-misconduct-claims
All this has become entirely insane. Whence this obsession with ‘inapproriate touching’ and why so many cases of it? It seems an unintentional result of the so-called ‘sexual recolution’ as a liberation from victorian prudery, but it is very questionable if, per saldo, it has led to an improvement in terms of civilisation and moral behavior.
So, on one hand we have music teachers hunted as predators and on the other, lesbian nuns having an orgy in the opera theatre.
Somehow these two things seem to be related.
I taught privately before I began work in public schools. I stopped teaching female students many years ago (and even then I went to the student’s home to ensure parental supervision).
I definitely believe one on one teaching is vital to helping the most skilled artists achieve their potential; for the average or even moderately talented performers, masterclasses will have to do.
Have we really come to that?
As a practical measure I suggest instututions equip their teachers with cameras, like the dashcams used in cars, to record the one on one lessons, which can be checked in case there is a claim. (legal rules how long such records must be kept must be established.)
One on one instruction is indispensable.
I hate physical contact during, before or after work, but I’m hurt that there appears to be not the slightest inclination at the other side which gives me the feeling I’m not attractive enough to need restrain
Sally
This is all pointless and sad. We live in a woke society. Shame on Chetham’s and society for ruining the future of musicians by ‘demonising’ the ( very) necessary and vital use of touch in music making in this way. And quite frankley, to dismiss a tutor that ( horbus rohebian says) has a reputation of a long standing record of successes…well, it sounds like their priorities are confused. I’m not putting cameras into my music room . If they don’t like the way l teach, go to a different teacher ! Simple.
Doors for rooms at schools should always have sizable windows. That’ll do a lot to cramp the style of the touchy-feely ones and it’s a one-time expense.
But what about students who touch their teacher? Or students chasing their teacher and marry them after the course has been rounded-off? (Like the french president, for instance)
We’ll have everyone walking around in cages before long to ensure that 1) they’re not touched and 2) that their space is not *invaded*. (Thought provoked by the latest stuff from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and Nicole Kidman’s recent nonsense).
Alt-right old goats panicking episode 18972. You are cuter than you might think!