How I have changed as a teacher over the years

When I first started teaching music in 2015, I didn’t realise it would shape me as much as I hoped to shape my students.

I’ve been teaching for ten years now. And like any craft, the way I teach has evolved. Some parts of my teaching have stayed rock-solid. Others have changed completely. In this post, I want to share both.

Not because my story is special—but because if you’re a parent wondering how music lessons really work, or a student who's felt stuck before, this might help make sense of the process behind the scenes.

What’s Stayed the Same

1. Patience

This one’s core to how I teach. Whether it’s a student who’s struggling with focus, or someone who needs more time to grasp a concept, I don’t rush the process. I hold space for growth.

Progress doesn’t always follow a straight line—and I’ve learned to trust that.

2. Gentleness

I don’t raise my voice. I don’t push with pressure. I keep the room calm so students feel safe to try, fail, and try again. That goes for the shy kids, the introverts, the ones who need time to warm up.

3. Presence

One of the best parts of teaching is getting to know the student beyond the music. Many of my students spend the first few minutes of the lesson just catching up. That connection matters. It builds trust—and that trust supports the learning.

4. Firmness (When Needed)

Calm doesn’t mean passive. If a student crosses a line, I call it early. Kind, but clear. I let kids be kids—but I also protect the learning environment.

5. Classical Music

Even in a pop-driven world, I still make room for classical. It’s part of my background, and I believe it teaches musical depth, technique, and discipline that serves students no matter what genre they end up loving.

6. Undervaluing Myself (Working on It)

This one’s more personal. I don’t always see the impact I have. I tend to think, “Anyone could do what I do.” But over the years, I’ve had students and families push back—asking to stay with me even when I’ve tried to transfer them. That’s taught me something, too.

What’s Changed

1. How I Teach Concepts

I used to follow the book and explain things as they came up. Now, I introduce ideas before they appear on the page. I teach rhythms by feel and sound before students ever read them. That preemptive approach builds real understanding.

2. The Resources I Use

A few years ago, I joined Vibrant Music Teaching, a platform full of lesson plans and printable games. Since then, I’ve brought games into nearly every lesson. Not as gimmicks—real, structured learning tools. Students love them. They ask for them. And they work.

3. Singing in Lessons

I sing more now. Whether it’s a beginner piece with lyrics or a simple melodic phrase, I model the sound with my voice. It helps students internalise pitch, rhythm, and musicality. It also gives them permission to express themselves.

4. Improvisation

This was never part of my training—but now, I use it all the time. I ask students to improvise using new techniques they’ve just learned. It reinforces the skill while giving them creative freedom. And they light up when they realise there are no wrong notes.

5. Better Materials for Teaching Piano

I used to rely on instinct. Now I use method books that are built around technique from the start. After investing in formal piano pedagogy training, I saw the difference—and my students did too. Especially the younger ones.

6. Adapting in Real Time

I’ve become much better at meeting students where they’re at. If they’ve had a tough week or haven’t practised much, we shift gears. Sometimes we focus on theory. Sometimes we improvise. The lesson bends to serve their needs—not the other way around.

7. Diagnosing and Correcting Technique

This one’s a big win. I can now spot what’s holding a student back and give them targeted adjustments. It’s the result of years of practice—and a lot of learning from others.

8. Backing Tracks over Metronomes

Instead of a static click, I now use musical backing tracks to help students with timing. It’s more engaging, more musical, and honestly—more fun. Especially for the younger ones.

Final Thoughts

Teaching music isn’t just something I do. It’s something I’ve worked at. Sharpened. Questioned. Rebuilt. The last ten years have made me a better teacher—but also a better listener, a better learner, and a better version of myself.

If you or your child are learning music, know this: growth takes time. Teaching takes care. And the right environment makes all the difference.

Thanks for reading.

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Until next time — keep raising musos,
Eliza 🎶