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In my opinion a great teacher needs to teach the student technique, musicality and how to teach themselves in their daily practice. What do you think makes a great teacher?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I've had teachers try to force technique on me
that didn't suit. Took me years to unlearn and relearn my own way
again. Great teachers show students how to find their own way, their
own "voice".
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Just out of curiosity. Which country was this teacher from? Lot of the Eastern countries have the force the student philosophy.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Maybe not saying things like
"Either we rebuild you totally, otherwise it wont ever sound better." ? It makes you only want to drop the violin, not rebuilding the technique 
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I can see where that would destroy someones desire to play. WOW!!!!
Do you know any teachers like that Lena?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Hi Fiddlerman, well yes:) my current one. he might be right, on the other hand i have noticed he confuses sometimes that I chose to play with transparent color, with that I cant play strong :
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Then, in my opinion, he could tell you to play stronger and show you how. He can teach you new technique at the same time. Have you ever experimented with playing slowly, strong and close to the bridge? When you say transparent you are referring to flautando right?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Hi Fiddlerman!
he never brings his violin to the lessons, sand almost never shows his own playing. so he only states "we need to rebuild your bow arm".
i like to experiment a lot with dynamics:) i find FF on my violin being a bit sour. also, when my teacher has played on my violin, it sounds really sour in FF. i often try to find a balance between wished dynamics and optimal sound, and that is pretty hard! closer to the bridge certainly helps.
with transparent, i mean far away from thr bridge, with smallest pressure possible
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Have you tried other violins? Strong dynamics should have equally great and desirable qualities. Possibly, you are in dire need for an upgrade. Even if you are satisfied with your violin, I suggest that you test as many violins as possible. Begin with your friends and colleagues and if you have time, visit your closer dealers in Copenhagen and Stockholm for the sole purpose of testing violins. If you can afford it, go to London. I am not suggestion that you invest a lot of money, rather just discover what a violin should be capable of doing. You can then later devote time into finding an affordable fiddle that can stand strong dynamics. Contemporary violin makers are making fantastic instruments today but take the time to make sure that you don't make a mistake.
As far as teaching is concerned, I don't want to criticize other teachers, but I am a firm believer that demonstration along with instructions works much better. I have personally never given a lesson without my instrument.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
How come I never see "performance" as a teaching duty. After all, what is the ojective of lessons if not ultimately performance ?
I know there are recitals but those are usually once a year. And playing duets with the teacher seems to me a great way to apply a little real world healthy pressure. Maybe a school orchestra is the best way to develop performance skills but not all students have that resource.
My Grand Daughter just started violin in school. I'll have to see how she is doing.
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Good point Oliver. It is probably a very good thing if a teacher sets up performances for their students. I don't do it because my students seem to have their own performances through school and community programs and contests. I do however help them deal with nerves and stage fright. I would gladly play duets with my students if they would want me to but maybe it would be an expensive way for them to play chamber music. Probably a nice way for them to get new motivation. I am always looking for new motivation methods for students.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Playing duets with a teacher must be really inspiring, although! One can learn SO MUCH by just imitating the teacher.
If I imitated my teacher (lady) I would be swearing a lot. She had just received a new violin from her boyfriend but it was 5 string and she was having a fit.
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I just played a wedding this past Saturday in a string trio. The violist just bought a new 5 string violin that she loves. She works as both a violinist and violist but now she doesn't have to work off of two instruments anymore.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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A very nice violist that I once met (Kim Kashkashian) told me she always uses a five stringed insturment, but often took on and off one string not to be confused during concerts
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Interesting. I think that I prefer leaving the strings on and getting used to it. She is however a very successful violist and must know what she is doing. Do you know if she did this all the time or just for special types of music?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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She said she always does it for her practice instrument, but not the same as for the performing one..and she plays very well
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I play flute and piccolo. Learned from my middle school band director, Mr. Brenner. Patiently, he taught good habits, instilled confidence, gave helpful feedback and encouraged us to take risks. Most of all, he drove home the point, practice, practice, practice. These nuggets proved most helpful throughout my life.
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I think a great teacher can simplify something that is difficult to the point where a student can grasp the idea or concept and see how to further it with ones own abilities. And, a great teacher is someone that can relate at a human level with kindness and encouragement. So there.
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