What do we wish students could come into lessons and rehearsals already knowing how to do?

What would allow them to focus on the musical aspects of playing and make the best use of their time in lessons and ensembles?

Private teachers and ensemble conductors often spend a lot of time helping students fill gaps that could easily be addressed in group classes. We started with this question: “What do we wish students could come into private lessons and rehearsals already knowing how to do? What would allow them to focus on the musical aspects of playing  –  character, sound, phrasing, contrast, articulation – and make the best use of their time in lessons and ensembles?”  

The following answers emerged:

1. Keys and key signatures, and how they’re expressed on the fingerboard

2. Sight reading: notes, time signatures, rhythms, ability to subdivide  

3. Ear training and theory  

4. Scales and arpeggios (the importance of them; fingerings; ways to practice them; how to use them to refine sound and bow strokes)  

5. Practice techniques for repertoire