I teach private instruction, art and music. Acoustic, electric, bass, DAW production. Across the age ranges; kids, teens, adults, and retirees.

Its mostly great, but I can tell which of my students are committed and which arent. The ones who come to class having practiced the material and are ready to move on, the ones who come to class with questions, the ones who come to class and engage with me and the material. And the ones who dont.

As a teacher its really hard to get motivated to teach someone who cant be bothered to practice. Or have any interest in what Im teaching.

Historically I drop these students from my roster sooner or later. They are just wasting their time. From a business standpoint this is not good. I could and probably should just take their money if they are willing to pay it. But I cannot teach the same lesson over and over because they make no progress ever.

I tell them I cannot make them a better musician. Only they can do that. All I can do is show them what to practice each week. The onus is on them to make the effort.

So whats the opinion? Should I keep the bad students and take their money? Or cut them loose? Or, is there some technique for getting through to them that can get them to commit - that would be the ideal, but to date I've not been successful at doing that. It would be better for my business, and better for them.

I have a current student, a 10 year old girl who want to play Taylor Swift songs (go figure right), who I'm ready to cut ties with. I'm at my wits end with her. Her father is also a student of mine. I want to tell him his daughter is not making the effort and he is wasting his money and time. But that is a tricky subject to broach. I dont want to insult him but I want to be sincere and honest. And I dont want to lose him as a client too.

Open to a discussion on client management, as its something I've never been really good at.

If you’re teaching in a university, you’re stuck, and it becomes a real problem with grade averages and qualification for financial assistance etc, you’d love to get rid of the under-performers, but you cannot.

If you’re teaching privately, you’ve got complete control, it’s up to you - personally, i would explain to students (and their parents) why you’re letting them go, and get rid of them. There are times when you’ll have adult students who just want to hang and talk, usually they have the self-awareness to understand they’re paying you for “their” time, but with kids, it can be a heavy lift week after week, so, i feel your pain.

Having done teaching at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary educational places, yes I know what you mean.

In an average Music tech lecture of 100 students about 1 will be listening and not playing with their phone. Amazing as they are spending £10k a year on the course.

Teaching privately when a bad student arises I just tell them there dumped and why. They may take on board what you've said and change (or not)

As with anything, you do the best you can do and F the rest of them.

Disheartening though I agree. Went I taught guitar they never practiced and it all felt a bit pointless apart from the money.

It depends how much do you need their money?! If you're working with kids than sometimes is just babysitting

I've been in the exact same situation, but I wasn't in a position to pick and choose my students because I was employed with a company, I absolutely would have a word with that girls dad and just explain that you don't think it's progressing, you risk loosing both of them but longterm it's worth it, you will probably find that he might talk to her and either she will start putting more work in or quit, most quit, it's just the nature of it. With private teaching at least you have the freedom of being able to do this!

my dad used to teach this guy who was lovely but useless and never progressed, I always thought he was crazy because he'd keep going back and he would pay my dad who by the way is not the best teacher, he is condescending, patronising, he's a bit of a conman, he never went to music college, doesn't have grades and no credentials just a cocky guy who thinks he's better than everyone else (including me)

I always thought it was very unethical and bad of him to keep convincing this guy who would never progress to keep accepting money from him week after week, do not be like him.

Thanks guys. Glad the collective opinion is in line with mine. Feel validated.

So I did bring it up with her dad, told her I was having a hard time connecting with her and engaging her in lessons. He swore she really enjoyed lessons, which I doubt was true as I’ve become increasingly disciplinarian with her (“pay attention” “no that’s wrong do it again”). And after a week of mulling it over she decided she was ‘disillusioned’ with guitar and didn’t want lessons any more.

So yeah I’m glad as I don’t have to deal with an unmotivated student and do the same lesson week in and out. But it’s also income. I don’t have the luxury of turning away clients. You bring up an interesting point regarding ethics. I feel people are willing to spend their own money on what they want. I was a lot of money on performance parts for my car, but I’ll never be racer. It’s just for fun. If a student wants to spend money on lessons and not progress that their choice. Now should they come to me sincerely and ask how they are doing I’d be honest, I would blow smoke up their arse just to keep taking their money. And as this episode proves, I’m more likely to get bored teaching an unmotivated student long before they reach the giving up point. Now if they were still really motivated and were trying hard but just couldn’t get there (I’ve had those too) then that’s a much harder conversation. Hard to tell someone “hey you really want it but you’re just not gonna get it (at this rate)”.

I don’t necessarily believe in ‘talent’ per se, but I think we’re all predisposed to certain functions that make learning certain topics easier. If a student just can’t connect the music ‘math dots’ in their brain, or the ‘left brain’ art space, not a lot any teacher can do. I always say the only thing I can do is show you what to practice, the rest is up to you.

Cheers