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37. Why Great Teaching Begins with Understanding the Student · The Dallas School of Music Minute

• 0:02
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: Hello, and welcome to the Dallas School of Music Event.
• 0:04
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: I'm Dr.
• 0:05
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: Bob Lawrence, Director of the Dallas School of Music.
• 0:09
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: Two students can walk into a music studio, sit at the same piano, and study the exact same piece of music.
• 0:18
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: But that doesn't mean they should receive the exact same lesson.
• 0:24
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: One student may understand the musical concepts immediately, but struggle with coordination.
• 0:31
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: Another may have excellent technical ability, but need help understanding the underlying musical structure.
• 0:39
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: Both students are capable of learning the piece, but each requires a different instructional approach.
• 0:47
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: This is where professional teaching begins.
• 0:51
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: At the Dallas School of Music, we believe that effective instruction requires more than subject knowledge.
• 0:57
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: It requires the ability to observe, listen, ask questions, and understand the individual sitting in front of us.
• 1:06
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: What does this student already know?
• 1:09
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: What are they struggling to understand?
• 1:12
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: How do they respond to challenges?
• 1:15
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: What are their musical interests and long-term goals?
• 1:19
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: These aren't secondary considerations.
• 1:23
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: They help determine how the lessons should be structured and how the teacher should communicate.
• 1:29
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: A thoughtfully designed curriculum provides educational direction.
• 1:34
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: Understanding the student allows the teacher to adapt that curriculum without compromising its standards.
• 1:43
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: And that's an important distinction.
• 1:46
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: Professional music education does not mean teaching every student identically.
• 1:52
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: It means providing every student with the instruction they need to develop successfully.
• 1:59
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: Because before we teach the instrument, we must understand the person learning to play it.
• 2:06
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: Thanks for spending a minute with me today.
• 2:08
  Dr. Bob Lawrence: Until next time, enjoy the journey as you continue to discover, learn, and play.