Being a teacher of any subject, in part, requires some psychology and knowing how a person thinks. There is no “one size fits all” since no two people think or learn alike. For this reason, I chose to be a private music teacher instead of in a classroom, as I love teaching to the individual and being flexible rather than a blanket teaching approach.
This blog will delve into temperaments and personality types and my recommendations for teaching them. Keep in mind that people don’t always fit into one category all the time.
Student 1
Temperament: Sanguine (optimistic, sociable, outgoing)
Personality: open, extroverted, agreeable
This student is usually a pleasure to teach, but be careful not to take them at face value. It’s not that they’re deceptive, but they would rather quit than tell you if they disagree with you, or do not understand or enjoy the lessons.
Recommendation: Since they tend to be agreeable rather than honest, you must ask many questions and encourage honesty. Let them feel “safe” with you to tell you how they’re genuinely feeling. If the student is honest about a problem, let them know how much you appreciate their honesty and what your plan of action is to fix it.
Student 2
Temperament: Choleric (assertive, decisive, ambitious)
Personality: open, conscientious, extroverted.
This student is a joy to teach because they will be honest with you about any issues. Additionally, they practice more than other temperaments. The downside to this student is that they can be confrontational in the lesson if they disagree with you.
Recommendation: If they disagree with you, listen to their thoughts without being defensive. If you agree with their feedback, let them know how you appreciate it. If you disagree, let them know why without being defensive, but that you still appreciate their suggestions.
Student 3
Temperament: Melancholic (analytical, thoughtful, artistic)
Personality: open, conscientious, neurotic.
Since they are analytical and thoughtful, they often understand concepts easily. With their artistic nature, they adapt well to music. However, the cons are that they can become moody and anxious and have negative thoughts about their ability to play.
Recommendation: As the teacher, you must stay calm with this student. If you show any emotional outrage, that will only fuel their moodiness. Compliment this student as often as possible to ensure they genuinely believe in their ability. Keep your compliments specific to their accomplishments rather than a general “great job.”
Student 4
Temperament: Phlegmatic (calm, even-tempered, reliable)
Personality: conscientious, introverted, agreeable.
This student comes to a lesson with no significant emotional issues, and since they’re reliable, they’re great at attending lessons and practicing. The downside is that they’re quiet and don’t communicate much. You may not be aware of any issues they’re thinking or feeling.
Recommendation: With my quiet students, I am outgoing and fun. I ask many questions, not just about the lessons, but about what is happening in their lives. The more you can get them to open up, the more comfortable they will be with you.