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This afternoon I did something I've never done. For all practical purposes, I taught a tuba lesson. It was the most rewarding thing I've done in weeks. No money changed hands or anything like that. It was more like mentoring than professional teaching. But it was in that neighborhood.

It really was nothing fancy, and no one knows better than I do that there is no way I could sustain teaching lessons over any period of time. I'm just not at that point as a player myself, and I'm not going to be taking on students. But I was able to help a young man with some basic things as he is getting ready for clinic band auditions. He's putting more air through the horn and buzzing more efficiently, and he found out some simple facts he hadn't heard before. He was receptive and grateful.

I see why those of you who do this for part of your living put up with the time-servers. One good student who wants what you have to offer, however meager that is (in my case), is a great reward.

Great job,

Teaching can be a lot of fun. Also consider this, I have several beginner students (6th and 7th) that I have taught over the years. When they progress form farts and wobbly tones to clear and musical phrases you really see how they have progressed. You might consider being a private instructor in giving the basics to new players. It also helps you realize where you have areas to improve and makes you a better player in the process. Even if you have a skill mastered well i.e. sluring, it makes you go back and break down what you do as a player to become functional at that skill. Then you pass on the knowledge to that student. Keep going you might like it.

talleyrand wrote:One good student who wants what you have to offer, however meager that is (in my case), is a great reward.

This is an important truth.

If it weren't for the few actively engaged students in my classes I don't think I could stay in academia. While I still try to make sure that every student is involved, and have plenty of exercises to force them to at least make some effort, those who are really present in class are always a small subset of each class. Working with them and watching them improve their knowledge and ability is the real reward from teaching. I don't teach tuba or music, but I suspect that even among music students you will find the same phenomenon.