The 5Es for outstanding instrumental teaching

I have been considering how to put together some ideas which encapsulate everything that might be seen in outstanding instrumental/singing teaching, and have decided to structure these ideas under 5 headings, all beginning with the letter E. These are so fundamental to what I believe to be important in instrumental teaching that I think they’re worth posting on a separate tab at the top of my blog. Herewith, The 5Es! Click on each title for more detail.

Engage
All students should feel welcomed, respected and encouraged, and their learning needs understood by their teacher.

Enthuse
Our music lessons should be purposeful and affirming. Students should be stretch appropriately, and inspired to achieve more than they can already do.

develop Enquiring minds
Our teaching should encourage students to develop a sense of enquiry and curiosity. They should be encouraged to develop an understanding of music, and not just how to play or sing the notes.

Equip
Students should be encouraged to set their own personal goals, and to have the discipline to achieve them. They should be taught how to practise so that they can use their own time effectively.

Empower
Our ultimate goal should be for pupils to be equipped with all they need to be able to manage without us. Once they have learned to learn for themselves, our job is done!

The first two of these are vitally important in setting the right tone for the lesson,  so that excellent learning can then take place. Engage and Enthuse. Although these processes will of course continue to take place for the duration of each lesson, they must be there from the very first moment. From there onwards, we need to ensure that we are developing an Enquiring mind, and that we Equip our pupils with the skills that they need to progress. All of this should Empower them, so that they can stand on their own two feet as a musician.