Lots of valid point here of course.
Speaking as a pupil, the most important things a teacher should do (IMHO) are these:
- See where the pupil is in his/her development and work from there
- Choose exercises that are feasible for the pupil in that stage of development. Not too difficult so one would get demotivated and not too easy to keep the pupil moving along.
The teacher has to keep the pupil in the tip of his/her toes. The pupil has to be challenged, given challenges that are feasible but require some work.
- Keep the personal objectives of the pupil in mind and keep the focus on the skills and knowledge that are needed to achieve this. Of course, there will be moments that the teacher will cover some subjects that the pupil doesn't want to work on. These subjects may be needed in order to get the foundation for something the pupil wants to achieve or perhaps the institution where the teacher is working demands that certain subjects must be given.
I take lessons in our local music academy, it is also very institutionalised. We have to start with theory lessons (reading music and other basic stuff) for 3 years. The last few years one can start with the instrument classes alongside these theory lessons (before you had to wait one year before starting with the instrument). The first 3 years it's just these 2 lessons. After that we have another 3 years where the theory becomes more interesting (Jazz harmony and history of jazz-pop-rock music). And in this period we also start with combo, playing in a group with other musicians. And that is the fun part of course
The combo practice is guided by a music teacher, but often one that plays another instrument. Last year I had a guitar teacher for combo practice.
After that we just have instrument lessons and combo for another 3 years.
For me it is very good, I like the way they approach things. And it suits my needs.
