WORKING WITH TRANSFER STUDENTS

Recognize the FRAGILITY of this situation. 

The student is nervous!!! The potential to quit is huge until they form a bond with you. Focus on helping the student (and their parent) to feel progress again quickly. Usually, the transitional period between teachers can feel like a hiatus from progress, which can be alarming to both students and parents. Help to reduce this transitional period by giving the student manageable assignments and praising them enthusiastically when they complete them.

Do not bash their previous teacher

It is NEVER a good idea to bash the student’s previous teacher, even if they seem like they had a bad experience with them. Talking badly about the previous teacher does absolutely nothing to help your student.

Do not make drastic changes all at once

This is a delicate time! More often than not, a transfer student will feel displaced when they switch over to your teaching schedule. Making a bunch of drastic changes all at once will make them feel overwhelmed & will bring their progress in lessons to a grinding halt. As you’re planning your lessons, plan which changes you think are most important in helping your student succeed and introduce them gradually. 

Do not change their method book/materials immediately

Again, this goes hand-in-hand with not making drastic changes all at once! When dealing with new transfer students, focusing on the familiar is key. If you’d like to change their method book or materials, do it after you’ve worked through their current book set.

Do not express frustration w/prior instruction methods

You might find the way the previous teacher was teaching your transfer student to be frustrating, unfamiliar, or counterintuitive. Use this opportunity to practice flexibility and adaptability in teaching situations! Expressing frustration at the previous teacher will only make your student feel bad.

Don't try and fix their technique immediately

Don't be alarmed by problems related to technique. One of the most common issues and challenges teachers find with transfer students is a difference in technique. Generally speaking, there are many schools of thought on technique, and even if you are absolutely positive that yours is the best, focusing on building a relationship with the student first is the most important thing.  

Don't let the student know that they're "behind"

This can be absolutely crushing to a student. If it seems like a student is not as advanced as they should be, then it’s up to you as their current instructor to help them succeed. Telling them that they’re “behind” or “below average” will only hurt their feelings and deter them from wanting to work on their music.  

Reinforce any existing positives.

Find something that the student does well and let them know that you notice it! Is the student good at sight-reading? How about their posture? Are they enthusiastic? Are they musically expressive? Do they consistently complete their assignments? Look for these types of things and heap praise on them. Doing this will assure the student that you like them, that you are excited to teach them & that you want them to succeed.

Try to focus on building a relationship/rapport

Place a stronger emphasis than usual on building a bond with the student. They are probably feeling sad that their old teacher is gone and anxious about working with someone new. This is the time to be incredibly warm and spend more time than usual just getting to know the student as a person - their interests, goals, and personal life outside of music.

Make it fun & exciting!

Read through their transition assistance form & be creative! Figure out what their favorite songs are (or songs they've always wanted to play) and assign them ASAP! Did they feel like they weren’t getting the opportunity to play their instrument with their old teacher? Let them play a TON! Are they feeling like their weekly assignments have been too difficult? Give them some easy ones! Did they feel like their old teacher wasn’t enthusiastic enough? Hit ‘em with your boundless enthusiasm! Focusing on making the lessons fun & exciting will quickly endear the student to you.