[Menvi-discuss] teaching piano as a blind person

[Leslie Hamric]

Hello. I have been teaching on and off since 2002 and here is my experiences in terms of approaching my blindness when I meet a student. When a parent calls to set up a lesson, I tell them about my background. Then I say something like since I'm totally blind, I may have to use a little more touch than your son or daughter might be used to. For example, I used touch when checking the student's  hand position,. How the cello is positioned to the body, position of the feet, etc. I find it important never to sound apologetic about my blindness. It is what it is and students of mine either have to accept it or they can find another teacher. I have had parents be very appreciative that I told them upfront about my blindness. I have never had a parent call me up and say that they didn't want their child studying with me because I was blind. I only had one students who couldn't handle being touched, but that was a unique situation because that student had some sensory issues. Also, after I explained why I use more touch the student might be used to, I always ask the parent is this okay. I have never had a parents say no that it was not okay. I try to determine as much as I can buy sounds, but there are some things that require touch, especially the bow hold on the cello I also try to position my chair and the students chair so I can go around behind the chairs to get to my student. That way, there will be no bumping into the cellos. Believe me when I first started teaching I was very scared. But every time I taught, it got easier. I hope this helps and please contact me off list if you have anymore questions. Good luck.
Leslie
Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 5, 2014, at 6:18 PM, Kelsey Nicolay <piano.girl0299 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> I may have posted a similar thread before, but here goes.  I am a tutor for wyzant, which is a tutoring company.  I applied for a tutoring job teaching piano.  The parent emailed me about possibly doing lessons one hour a month with the time split between her two kids.  I have always wanted to teach piano since I've been playing all my life basically, but I am worried that once the parent finds out about my blindness, she might lose her trust in my ability to teach her children.  This would be my first time ever teaching piano, so I am not sure how to approach this.  When she calls me to set up the lessons, should I mention that I am blind but it does not stop me from doing the things I enjoy? I would then explain that I would use Braille books while the students have the books in print.  Also, how will her kids react to having someone who can't see teach piano? I think they are still young, so they might not be old enough to understand the misconceptions society has about what blind people can do.  My piano teacher sees absolutely no reason why I cannot teach piano.  Anyone who is blind and has ever taught piano to sighted students, please share your experiences.  How did the student react to your blindness? How did the parents feel about it? Did they feel less confident in your abilities? How do you work on things like technique if you can't see what the student is doing? Is this a situation in which touch is the only way I'll be able to monitor their habits? I think the parents will be there while the lessons are going on since it's in their home.  I would really appreciate some advice.
> Thanks,
> 
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