In this episode, Neil shares some key points from a recent conversation he had with one of his bass guitar students. Beyond music, they talk about the impact of traditional teaching methods on students' perception of learning. Neil emphasises the importance of simplifying concepts, using plain language, and empowering students to be curious. He advocates for going off the syllabus, finding material that interests students, and making the learning process fun. Neil's passion for teaching shines through as he encourages educators to create an enjoyable and engaging environment for their students. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Simplify everything: As teachers, it is important to break down complex concepts and explain them in a way that is easy for students to understand. By using plain and simple language, we can make learning more accessible and enjoyable for our students.
Empower curiosity: Encourage students to ask questions and be curious about the subject matter. Answering their questions and sparking their imagination can lead to deeper understanding and engagement with the material.
Go off the syllabus: Instead of strictly adhering to a syllabus, ask students what they want to learn and find music or material that interests them. This helps to personalise the learning experience and make it more enjoyable for the student.
Make it fun: Learning should be a playful process. Teachers should strive to make their lessons enjoyable and engaging for both themselves and their students. By creating a fun and positive learning environment, students will be more motivated to continue learning.
Avoid using fancy language: Cut out the use of unnecessary jargon and fancy words that can create a barrier between the student and the material. Using plain and simple language helps to make the subject more accessible and relatable to the student.

BEST MOMENTS

"She's a very smart lady... She's funny, energetic, vivacious, million questions and just a bundle of energy."

"Most of her old thinking about music and about herself as a player have been absolutely destroyed... she realises music is much simpler and much easier than she thought." 

"She told me that because I break things down and explain why we do something as musicians, she can make sense of it and she can accept it."

"She likes it when I use simple words to explain something... she thinks it's because they're trying to mask something simple behind a wall of fancy words." 

"We should be making it fun for our students... if it's not fun for them they won't want to come back and if it's not fun for you to teach every single day is going to be miserable for you." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

info@neilcowmeadow.com

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

In this episode, Neil shares some key points from a recent conversation he had with one of his bass guitar students. Beyond music, they talk about the impact of traditional teaching methods on students' perception of learning. Neil emphasises the importance of simplifying concepts, using plain language, and empowering students to be curious. He advocates for going off the syllabus, finding material that interests students, and making the learning process fun. Neil's passion for teaching shines through as he encourages educators to create an enjoyable and engaging environment for their students. 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li>Simplify everything: As teachers, it is important to break down complex concepts and explain them in a way that is easy for students to understand. By using plain and simple language, we can make learning more accessible and enjoyable for our students.</li>
<li>Empower curiosity: Encourage students to ask questions and be curious about the subject matter. Answering their questions and sparking their imagination can lead to deeper understanding and engagement with the material.</li>
<li>Go off the syllabus: Instead of strictly adhering to a syllabus, ask students what they want to learn and find music or material that interests them. This helps to personalise the learning experience and make it more enjoyable for the student.</li>
<li>Make it fun: Learning should be a playful process. Teachers should strive to make their lessons enjoyable and engaging for both themselves and their students. By creating a fun and positive learning environment, students will be more motivated to continue learning.</li>
<li>Avoid using fancy language: Cut out the use of unnecessary jargon and fancy words that can create a barrier between the student and the material. Using plain and simple language helps to make the subject more accessible and relatable to the student.</li>
</ul>
BEST MOMENTS
"She's a very smart lady... She's funny, energetic, vivacious, million questions and just a bundle of energy."
"Most of her old thinking about music and about herself as a player have been absolutely destroyed... she realises music is much simpler and much easier than she thought." 
"She told me that because I break things down and explain why we do something as musicians, she can make sense of it and she can accept it."
"She likes it when I use simple words to explain something... she thinks it's because they're trying to mask something simple behind a wall of fancy words." 
"We should be making it fun for our students... if it's not fun for them they won't want to come back and if it's not fun for you to teach every single day is going to be miserable for you." 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
<a href="http://www.neilcowmeadow.com/">www.Neilcowmeadow.com</a>
<a>info@neilcowmeadow.com</a> 
HOST BIO
Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

The Tutor Podcast the weekly show that’s all about the business of helping people.
If you’re a tutor, a teacher or a coach, join your host Neil Cowmeadow for news, tips and insights to help you Start, Grow and Love your tutoring business. Plain English, no buzzwords and no BS. So, if you want to make more money - and make more of a difference - The Tutor Podcast will be with you, every step of the way.

The Tutor Podcast

Let's Talk About Teaching

Neil talks about the concept of human motivation through the lens of "away from" and "towards" movements. Drawing on his 15 years of experience as a certified NLP practitioner, Neil explains how these two motivational systems influence our actions. He shares a vivid thought experiment that illustrates the urgency of escaping discomfort while also highlighting the importance of having a clear vision of what we want to achieve. Listeners are encouraged to create a list of potential negative outcomes if they don't take action in their tutoring businesses, using this as a powerful motivator to spur them into action. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Understanding Motivation: Human motivations can be categorised into two types: "away from" (moving away from something undesirable) and "towards" (moving towards something desirable). Both play crucial roles in driving action.


The Power of "Away From" Motivation: This type of motivation can spur immediate action in response to discomfort or pain. It serves as a powerful starter system that can help individuals escape from negative situations.


Transitioning to "Towards" Motivation: Once the immediate crisis is alleviated, the "away from" motivation may lose its effectiveness. It's essential to shift focus towards positive goals and visions to maintain momentum and drive progress.


Practical Exercise: A suggested exercise involves writing down 100 negative outcomes that could occur if one does not take action to grow their business. This list serves as a motivational tool to highlight the urgency of making changes.


Daily Reflection: Reading the list of negative outcomes daily can create a sense of urgency and discomfort, effectively harnessing the power of "away from" motivation to encourage proactive behaviour and decision-making.

BEST MOMENTS

"The immediate away from movement will get you out of trouble. And the towards movement will get you towards what you really, really want."

"That away from motivation is a great spur to fast action. It's life's do this or else threat crisis system."

"The more uncomfortable, scary and gut level you can make it, the more powerful it is."

"If I don't grow and scale my business, then these bad things could happen to me."

"Notice how those two systems work. The away from is the starter motor that got you out from under the tree."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

info@neilcowmeadow.com

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil talks about the concept of human motivation through the lens of "away from" and "towards" movements. Drawing on his 15 years of experience as a certified NLP practitioner, Neil explains how these two motivational systems influence our actions. He shares a vivid thought experiment that illustrates the urgency of escaping discomfort while also highlighting the importance of having a clear vision of what we want to achieve. Listeners are encouraged to create a list of potential negative outcomes if they don't take action in their tutoring businesses, using this as a powerful motivator to spur them into action. 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ol>
<li>
Understanding Motivation: Human motivations can be categorised into two types: "away from" (moving away from something undesirable) and "towards" (moving towards something desirable). Both play crucial roles in driving action.
</li>
<li>
The Power of "Away From" Motivation: This type of motivation can spur immediate action in response to discomfort or pain. It serves as a powerful starter system that can help individuals escape from negative situations.
</li>
<li>
Transitioning to "Towards" Motivation: Once the immediate crisis is alleviated, the "away from" motivation may lose its effectiveness. It's essential to shift focus towards positive goals and visions to maintain momentum and drive progress.
</li>
<li>
Practical Exercise: A suggested exercise involves writing down 100 negative outcomes that could occur if one does not take action to grow their business. This list serves as a motivational tool to highlight the urgency of making changes.
</li>
<li>
Daily Reflection: Reading the list of negative outcomes daily can create a sense of urgency and discomfort, effectively harnessing the power of "away from" motivation to encourage proactive behaviour and decision-making.
</li>
</ol>
BEST MOMENTS
"The immediate away from movement will get you out of trouble. And the towards movement will get you towards what you really, really want."
"That away from motivation is a great spur to fast action. It's life's do this or else threat crisis system."
"The more uncomfortable, scary and gut level you can make it, the more powerful it is."
"If I don't grow and scale my business, then these bad things could happen to me."
"Notice how those two systems work. The away from is the starter motor that got you out from under the tree."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
<a href="http://www.neilcowmeadow.com/">www.Neilcowmeadow.com</a>
<a>info@neilcowmeadow.com</a> 
HOST BIO
Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Movers and Moti

Neil discusses the importance of evaluating personal habits and recognising what truly works in your tutoring, teaching, or coaching business. Building on the previous episode's theme of exploring unconventional methods for better results, Neil emphasises the necessity of self-reflection and honest assessment. He encourages listeners to regularly ask themselves if their current practices are effective and aligned with their long-term goals. Through personal anecdotes, including his experience with co-owning music shops, Neil illustrates the value of discontinuing unproductive activities to make room for more fulfilling and profitable endeavours. This episode serves as a motivational call to action for educators and coaches to identify and eliminate what doesn't work, ultimately leading to greater success and satisfaction in their professional lives.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Evaluate Your Habits: Regularly take inventory of your habits to determine what is working for you and what isn't. This self-reflection can lead to valuable insights and improvements in your personal and professional life.


Embrace Honest Self-Assessment: When assessing whether something is working, be honest with yourself. The answers you may not want to hear are often the most important ones to pay attention to.


Stop What Doesn't Work: Identify and discontinue activities or habits that are not serving you. This creates space for new opportunities and strategies that may yield better results.


Learn from Experience: Reflect on past experiences, such as the decision to close the music shops, to understand that not all ventures will be fulfilling or profitable. Use these lessons to guide future decisions.


Make Room for Growth: By letting go of unproductive habits or ventures, you open up time and energy to pursue activities that align more closely with your passions and goals, ultimately leading to greater satisfaction and success.

BEST MOMENTS

"When was the last time you actually sat down and took inventory of your own habits? I didn't think so. Most people don't take time out to reflect or self-examine very much."

"The answer you don't like is the answer you must pay most attention to." 

"Those uncomfortable no's are a gift, because you now know what not to do in order to make space for what you must do." 

"If you don't know what isn't working, you'll probably keep on doing it... which won't leave you the space and time to try something which has a better chance of success." 

"Continuing to run the shops was going to burn time. And that was an opportunity cost we were no longer willing to pay." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

info@neilcowmeadow.com

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil discusses the importance of evaluating personal habits and recognising what truly works in your tutoring, teaching, or coaching business. Building on the previous episode's theme of exploring unconventional methods for better results, Neil emphasises the necessity of self-reflection and honest assessment. He encourages listeners to regularly ask themselves if their current practices are effective and aligned with their long-term goals. Through personal anecdotes, including his experience with co-owning music shops, Neil illustrates the value of discontinuing unproductive activities to make room for more fulfilling and profitable endeavours. This episode serves as a motivational call to action for educators and coaches to identify and eliminate what doesn't work, ultimately leading to greater success and satisfaction in their professional lives.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ol>
<li>
Evaluate Your Habits: Regularly take inventory of your habits to determine what is working for you and what isn't. This self-reflection can lead to valuable insights and improvements in your personal and professional life.
</li>
<li>
Embrace Honest Self-Assessment: When assessing whether something is working, be honest with yourself. The answers you may not want to hear are often the most important ones to pay attention to.
</li>
<li>
Stop What Doesn't Work: Identify and discontinue activities or habits that are not serving you. This creates space for new opportunities and strategies that may yield better results.
</li>
<li>
Learn from Experience: Reflect on past experiences, such as the decision to close the music shops, to understand that not all ventures will be fulfilling or profitable. Use these lessons to guide future decisions.
</li>
<li>
Make Room for Growth: By letting go of unproductive habits or ventures, you open up time and energy to pursue activities that align more closely with your passions and goals, ultimately leading to greater satisfaction and success.
</li>
</ol>
BEST MOMENTS
"When was the last time you actually sat down and took inventory of your own habits? I didn't think so. Most people don't take time out to reflect or self-examine very much."
"The answer you don't like is the answer you must pay most attention to." 
"Those uncomfortable no's are a gift, because you now know what not to do in order to make space for what you must do." 
"If you don't know what isn't working, you'll probably keep on doing it... which won't leave you the space and time to try something which has a better chance of success." 
"Continuing to run the shops was going to burn time. And that was an opportunity cost we were no longer willing to pay." 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
<a href="http://www.neilcowmeadow.com/">www.Neilcowmeadow.com</a>
<a>info@neilcowmeadow.com</a> 
HOST BIO
Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Stop It

Neil shares insights from his extensive experience in the tutoring and teaching business. He recounts a recent session with a seasoned guitar player who, despite decades of experience, struggled with fundamental techniques due to conventional learning methods. Neil emphasises the importance of questioning the mainstream approaches to learning, highlighting that a staggering 90% of guitar learners quit when following traditional routes. He encourages listeners to explore alternative perspectives and disciplines beyond music education to enhance their teaching methods. This episode serves as a call to action for tutors, teachers, and coaches to continuously seek innovative ideas and improve their practices for the benefit of their students.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Questioning the Norm: It's essential to continually ask yourself if your current methods are effective. If they aren't working, explore alternative approaches rather than seeking better versions of a failing scheme.


Common Mistakes in Learning: Many guitar learners struggle due to fundamental errors, such as improper guitar positioning and lack of understanding of chords and scales. These issues can lead to frustration and hinder progress.


High Quit Rates: Approximately 90% of people who start learning guitar through conventional methods end up quitting. This statistic highlights the ineffectiveness of mainstream teaching approaches.


Interdisciplinary Learning: Breakthroughs in teaching and learning often come from fields outside music education, such as physics, psychology, and anthropology. Exploring diverse disciplines can provide valuable insights and improve teaching methods.


Continuous Improvement: There is a duty to look beyond traditional methods and constantly seek new knowledge and techniques. This ongoing quest for improvement can enhance both teaching practices and student experiences.

BEST MOMENTS

"Why would a presumably competent player in his 60s start taking guitar lessons?"

"For 50 years, he's been making life hard for himself... All that heavy finger pressure makes everything harder than it needs to be."

"90% of people who start and pursue the conventional route fail; they quit. That's just insane."

"If what you're doing isn't working... start looking for different."

"We have a duty and a right to look beyond the narrow lane of our discipline."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

info@neilcowmeadow.com

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Neil shares insights from his extensive experience in the tutoring and teaching business. He recounts a recent session with a seasoned guitar player who, despite decades of experience, struggled with fundamental techniques due to conventional learning methods. Neil emphasises the importance of questioning the mainstream approaches to learning, highlighting that a staggering 90% of guitar learners quit when following traditional routes. He encourages listeners to explore alternative perspectives and disciplines beyond music education to enhance their teaching methods. This episode serves as a call to action for tutors, teachers, and coaches to continuously seek innovative ideas and improve their practices for the benefit of their students.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ol>
<li>
Questioning the Norm: It's essential to continually ask yourself if your current methods are effective. If they aren't working, explore alternative approaches rather than seeking better versions of a failing scheme.
</li>
<li>
Common Mistakes in Learning: Many guitar learners struggle due to fundamental errors, such as improper guitar positioning and lack of understanding of chords and scales. These issues can lead to frustration and hinder progress.
</li>
<li>
High Quit Rates: Approximately 90% of people who start learning guitar through conventional methods end up quitting. This statistic highlights the ineffectiveness of mainstream teaching approaches.
</li>
<li>
Interdisciplinary Learning: Breakthroughs in teaching and learning often come from fields outside music education, such as physics, psychology, and anthropology. Exploring diverse disciplines can provide valuable insights and improve teaching methods.
</li>
<li>
Continuous Improvement: There is a duty to look beyond traditional methods and constantly seek new knowledge and techniques. This ongoing quest for improvement can enhance both teaching practices and student experiences.
</li>
</ol>
BEST MOMENTS
"Why would a presumably competent player in his 60s start taking guitar lessons?"
"For 50 years, he's been making life hard for himself... All that heavy finger pressure makes everything harder than it needs to be."
"90% of people who start and pursue the conventional route fail; they quit. That's just insane."
"If what you're doing isn't working... start looking for different."
"We have a duty and a right to look beyond the narrow lane of our discipline."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
<a href="http://www.neilcowmeadow.com/">www.Neilcowmeadow.com</a>
<a>info@neilcowmeadow.com</a> 
HOST BIO
Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

Let's Talk About Teaching

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