THINGS I LEARNED THROUGH TEACHING MUSIC
by Sean Reusch
Purpose and Mindset
Teach because you genuinely want to. The most meaningful teaching comes from a sincere desire to help others grow. Students can feel authenticity. When teaching is rooted in passion, it becomes more inspiring, fulfilling, and impactful for everyone involved. Teaching has taught me that it is the ultimate gift to help others grow — intellectually, emotionally, and personally — so they can reach their potential and navigate life more confidently.
I am not what I do — successes and failures do not define me. Teaching music reinforces that identity is deeper than achievement. Performances, auditions, and progress fluctuate, but personal worth remains constant. This perspective allows both teacher and student to take risks without fear.
Always be appreciative of the opportunity to share. Teaching is a privilege. Every lesson is a chance to exchange ideas, energy, and creativity. Gratitude shifts teaching from a task into a meaningful human connection.
Music is one of the greatest gifts we have in the world. Teaching reveals how powerful music is — as communication, healing, expression, and connection across cultures and generations.
Learning About Yourself Through Teaching
My own playing challenges became my greatest gift as a teacher. The struggles and frustrations I faced shaped how I teach. They gave me insight into common obstacles and allowed me to guide students through difficulties with understanding and practical strategies.
Personal struggles build patience and empathy. Teaching teaches you to be kinder — both to yourself and to your students. Recognizing that growth takes time creates an environment where mistakes are accepted as part of learning.
Teaching improves performing. Explaining musical concepts forces deeper understanding. Breaking skills into teachable steps clarifies technique and strengthens personal musicianship.
Growth never really ends — for anyone. Teaching constantly reminds me that learning is lifelong. Teachers grow alongside students, discovering new perspectives with every lesson.
Understanding Students and How People Learn
Everyone learns differently. Students absorb information through various channels — aural, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic. Effective teaching means observing how each student responds and adapting accordingly.
Teach each person individually; one size does not fit all. Every student brings unique strengths, motivations, and challenges. Personalized instruction respects individuality and leads to deeper progress.
Never assume someone knows something. Clear communication and checking understanding prevent gaps in learning. Starting from shared clarity creates confidence and avoids frustration.
Sometimes students need to borrow the teacher’s belief in them. Confidence is often learned through relationship. A teacher’s belief can help students push beyond self-doubt until they develop their own internal trust.
Teaching Philosophy and Approach
Be creative — there are many paths to the same destination. Music allows multiple solutions. Creative teaching keeps lessons engaging and helps students find approaches that resonate with them personally.
Be flexible and willing to try different things. What works for one student may fail with another. Effective teaching requires curiosity, experimentation, and openness to change.
Inspiration works better than fear. Encouragement creates long-term motivation and joy, while intimidation often produces anxiety and limits growth.
Honesty paired with kindness is essential. Students need truthful feedback, but it must be delivered with compassion. Balanced communication builds trust and fosters resilience.
Growth, Progress, and Practice
Talent is overrated; discipline and patience matter more. Consistent effort over time leads to lasting improvement. Teaching reveals that dedication and perseverance often outweigh natural ability.
Growth is not linear — it happens in cycles. Students experience plateaus, leaps forward, and setbacks. Understanding this prevents discouragement and encourages long-term thinking.
Small daily effort compounds into major transformation. Incremental progress accumulates into significant change. Teaching helps students see the power of consistency.
Always celebrate small wins. Recognizing incremental achievements builds momentum and reinforces positive habits.
Welcome failure and learn from mistakes. Mistakes are essential teachers. Creating a safe environment for experimentation allows students to develop resilience and curiosity.
The Teacher–Student Journey
We are all on the same path — the teacher is just further along. Recognizing shared humanity fosters mutual respect and collaboration.
Teaching is like farming. Each lesson plants seeds of knowledge. Growth may not appear immediately, but over time those seeds take root and flourish.
One of the greatest rewards of teaching is the relationships formed. Teaching connects you not only with students but also with their families and communities. These relationships become one of the most meaningful aspects of the profession.
The Bigger Lessons Music Teaches
Music allows profound self-expression. Learning to express emotions and ideas through sound empowers students in ways that extend beyond music.
Comparison is one of the biggest barriers to progress. Each musician’s journey is unique. Focusing on personal growth rather than comparison encourages confidence and creativity.
Nearly every life lesson can be learned through music. Patience, discipline, listening, collaboration, emotional awareness, resilience, and creativity all emerge through musical study.