If you’re a teacher of any subject, you’re most likely familiar with the seven learning styles defined by a person’s cognitive ability, emotions, and environmental factors. But for private music teachers, how do you teach each learning style that will help the student learn at full capacity? Does everyone fit into only one learning category, and if so, should we only teach a student that way? Some experts now recognize that most people learn similarly using all facets of learning styles. I will delve into each learning style and my recommendations on how to teach each one.
1. Visual
This style of learning is the most common way people learn. Think about how a baby learns by watching their surroundings. Most people can learn and be persuaded by a picture when learning a new concept. Think about pictures you’ve seen that have shaped your mind and emotions. Using this format is why PowerPoint presentations are so powerful in the business world.
How to teach
For this student, it’s best to illustrate the concepts you teach, whether in the music or a notepad. For students who are reading music, it’s already in an excellent format for their learning style. For students learning to play chords, writing and illustrating them is helpful.
2. Auditory
This style is also known as aural or auditory-musical. Such learners like listening to and hearing information to process it optimally. Since these learners gravitate towards subjects that require listening, as a music teacher, you may have many students who learn this way.
How to teach
The listening approach is most useful when teaching students to play chords and by ear, as it allows students to listen to something you’re playing so they can replicate it on their instrument. However, another helpful tool for the aural learner when teaching both by ear and written music is to record the student and let them listen. Since listening to a recording is completely different from hearing yourself as you play, this is an excellent way for students to critique themselves and learn.
3. Verbal
A verbal learner is similar to a visual learner, except instead of pictures, it’s words. They love to read the information or have it explained verbally. These learners do well in school by reading the textbook and listening to lectures. They’re great at learning a new job by reading the manual.
How to teach
With these learners, it’s best to have information in a written format, whether from a book or your writing in the book or a notepad. It’s also best to ask the verbal learner many questions and have them answer verbally. I ask my students more questions in a lesson than they do me. It’s my way of ensuring they completely understand what’s taught, and it helps to deepen their understanding.
4. Physical
Physical, also called Kinesthetic learners, are hands-on learners. They could never learn to swim or drive a car by taking a class, as they need to drive or swim to learn.
How to teach
Students who are physical learners do best when you have them repeatedly play a specific concept you’re teaching them. You can tell or show them a concept, but until they play it for themselves, they most likely will not fully understand.
5. Logical
Logical learners like everything to make sense and line up. They are great at math and recognizing patterns and concepts. They like things to be constant and have a cause-and-effect. Concepts must make sense and not be random. They also like to organize information.
How to teach
Music has many facets, and math is one of them, along with being creative and aural. So, for students who like to learn and categorize information, show the math patterns in music, the reason behind each concept, and how it relates to other music parts. Keep your teaching orderly and in a step-by-step way that makes sense.
6. Social
Social learners glean knowledge from others and communicate well both verbally and non-verbally. They are naturally sensitive and empathetic and do well in social gatherings or jobs that require communicating with others, such as in sales or a teaching environment.
How to teach
These are fun students to teach, and you may get lost in conversation apart from learning music, so be careful to stay on track. Your social students can learn a lot from your words and facial expressions. Suggest that your students look up conversations online for what they’re learning to see what advice or opinions others may have.
7. Solitary
Solitary learners like to research information independently and be alone with their thoughts. These types of learners make good researchers and authors.
How to teach
It’s best to take advantage of this type of learner by asking questions for your student to research for the following lesson. You could use a subject that may be controversial and ask for both sides of the argument or different viewpoints. The more you have them research various musical subjects, the more engaged they may be.
To discover your students’ learning styles, teach each learning style with the recommendation above, and notice if they seem confused or catch on quickly. When you notice what makes the “light go off” in their understanding, focus on teaching in that learning style. However, what is great about learning an instrument or singing is it requires all learning styles, from the visual, where concepts are illustrated; auditory, where your student listens to music; verbal, where you and your students discuss how to play or sing; physical, when your students are playing or singing, logical; the math and theory of music; social, where your students can play and learn from other musicians; and even solitary, where your students are alone with their thoughts to study and even compose. Learning to sing or play is one of the most excellent ways for your students to learn in any learning style, which is helpful in life because they never know when they may need to learn in a particular style for school, work, or whatever comes up!