One thing I say quite a lot in lessons is that we don't all learn music in the same way.
Some people like having the music written down in front of them. Others need to hear it first, sing it, tap it out or just have a go and see what happens.
Sometimes we end up drawing things, making up silly ways to remember stuff, or pulling a piece of music apart to work out what's actually going on.
I've never really seen the point in insisting everyone learns the same way. It's about finding what works for the person sitting in front of me.
And sometimes we just need to slow things down a bit.
If someone is struggling with something, there's no point in pushing on just for the sake of it. Sometimes we need to break it down into smaller bits, try a different approach or just spend a little longer on something.
That doesn't mean I'm expecting any less of them. It just means I'm teaching them in a way that works for them.
Don't get me wrong, I love seeing my students do well in exams and achieve things they've worked hard for. But seeing someone grow in confidence, have a go at something they wouldn't have dared try before, or simply enjoy making music is just as important to me.