Life on The Edge

The Tutor Podcast

Neil shares insights from his extensive experience in the tutoring and teaching business. He recounts a recent session with a seasoned guitar player who, despite decades of experience, struggled with fundamental techniques due to conventional learning methods. Neil emphasises the importance of questioning the mainstream approaches to learning, highlighting that a staggering 90% of guitar learners quit when following traditional routes. He encourages listeners to explore alternative perspectives and disciplines beyond music education to enhance their teaching methods. This episode serves as a call to action for tutors, teachers, and coaches to continuously seek innovative ideas and improve their practices for the benefit of their students.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Questioning the Norm: It's essential to continually ask yourself if your current methods are effective. If they aren't working, explore alternative approaches rather than seeking better versions of a failing scheme.

2. Common Mistakes in Learning: Many guitar learners struggle due to fundamental errors, such as improper guitar positioning and lack of understanding of chords and scales. These issues can lead to frustration and hinder progress.

3. High Quit Rates: Approximately 90% of people who start learning guitar through conventional methods end up quitting. This statistic highlights the ineffectiveness of mainstream teaching approaches.

4. Interdisciplinary Learning: Breakthroughs in teaching and learning often come from fields outside music education, such as physics, psychology, and anthropology. Exploring diverse disciplines can provide valuable insights and improve teaching methods.

5. Continuous Improvement: There is a duty to look beyond traditional methods and constantly seek new knowledge and techniques. This ongoing quest for improvement can enhance both teaching practices and student experiences.

BEST MOMENTS

"Why would a presumably competent player in his 60s start taking guitar lessons?"

"For 50 years, he's been making life hard for himself... All that heavy finger pressure makes everything harder than it needs to be."

"90% of people who start and pursue the conventional route fail; they quit. That's just insane."

"If what you're doing isn't working... start looking for different."

"We have a duty and a right to look beyond the narrow lane of our discipline."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[e-mail]

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!