Ten bad things to remember about music teaching … and ten good alternatives 
1/ Sit and listen to a piece all through, picking out the mistakes … or teach actively first – small sections, slowly
2/ Praise indiscriminately … or say what was good and what might be improved
3/ Just teach the notes first, then add on the details later … or insist, from the start, on correct fingering and articulation
4/ Count out tricky rhythms in jazzy pieces … or fit the tune to words, resulting in correct, memorable rhythms
5/ Don’t bother about tone production … or demonstrate and teach exactly how to create a beautiful sound
6/ Teach music reading by note naming (and write the notes in) … or teach by interval and pattern recognition
7/ Don’t let parents sit in on lessons … or invite parents to observe, so they understand how to support practice time
8/ Test sight reading and aural only just before an examination … or teach the concepts first, a little every lesson
9/ Don’t tell your students how to practise – they’ll work it out … or give specific advice and instruction
10/ Teach only how you were taught … or keep up to date, with professional development courses, online resources and the best Youtube clips.
Try E-MusicMaestro resources:
Aural Test Training free at www.e-musicmaestro.com/auraltests
E-MusicMaestro Grades 1 – 5 ABRSM and Trinity piano exam piece videos with tips on interpretation and demonstration of good technique at http://www.youtube.com/user/EMusicMaestroChannel
sandymusicmaestro 
I recall being part of a student orchestra in London and being bawled at in front of the whole orchestra by a conductor/ music teacher called Fred Applewhite, I think. “OFF THE STRING. BOY!!” he kept yelled at me like a schoolmaster with everyone staring at me .. I hadn’t even been taught about playing “off the string” yet back then!
That put me off playing violin in an orchestra for at least 10 years, until I found a friendly folk group who didn’t shout .. so another rule: don’t shout at your pupils: music should not be associated with stress!!
Sorry you had such a bad experience Dominic. Shouting at a pupil is so appalling that I hadn’t even thought to include it!
Music should be enjoyable for the student and teacher alike and those teachers who cannot be polite should do something solitary for a living.
Well, I was shouted by that same Fred as a child, along with dozens of other string players. Thirty five years later, many of us professional musicians or successful and happy in other professions all met up with him at a grand reunion. We were queuing up to thank him for his strictness and refusal to accept anything but the best from us. Thank you Fred. Sorry it didn’t work for you. We’re all different.
Thank you for your contribution, Elise. It’s interesting how each of reacts in a unique way to a teacher. My sister and I had the same piano teacher and my sister gave up because she was frightened of the teacher but I loved my lessons and went on to become a professional musician. Like you, Elise, I am grateful for having been taught by an exacting teacher who expected only my very best playing and effort, although I’m sure that she never actually shouted; of course, it’s different in a one to one lesson. It does seem a pity that a potentially good musician like Dominic was put off music by Fred’s unfortunate manner, though. The important thing seems to be that, because we all respond differently, the same teacher – however talented – is probably not going to suit everyone.
I was brought up in the “old school ” manner , yes it is often said “I never did me any harm ” ttruth of the matter is I am suffering from some effects to this day..and it is only since lockdown when I started to go back to my instrument for my own self improvement that I have come to really enjoy playing music for myself ….maybe potential orchestral players and soloists should be sent to “boot camp” by their parents and the rest of us can be inspired and encouraged to develop ourselves by those who seek to inspire and not terrify. . Now in the field of education myself ,. I am glad we no longer bully or intimidate young people !
It s a bit late in the day and shows poor lesson/rehearsal planning when having to publically reprimand one individual about bowing etc.This is were shortage of rehearsal time resulting in pressure
is often the cause. Professionals thanking a teacher for being “strict ” years later is out of context partly because its all very well for them but what about the invisible and unsung who slunk away with a feeling of inferiority?
The conductor should have anticipated difficulties ahead by
being thoroughly conversant with the capability of all present. Better to ditch words and stop an discreetly demonstrate the passage themselves or by asking the leader/front desk of the section who can execute it correctly to demonstrate.
A sort of relaxed mini workshop if there is time .By then the player in question will have had time to copy without embarrassment.
P M Newton
Fred Applewhite taught me too! He terrified the living daylights put of me but I always went back for more – because he was totally inspirational. In today’s educational climate I would be surprised if he lasted five minutes – he swore, smoked in lessons and broke nearly all the rules – we loved him for it. I owe Fred a lot and am grateful for his high standards.
Fred died in 2013 at his home in Lincoln.