Lessons

I'd like to open a discussion related to lessons on YC. I realize this is a volunteer scheme and the teachers get no reward for helping out the forum so I am not trying to be critical of the scheme.

If you examine the teacher's list, at present, you'll notice that the high majority of teachers who are not accepting students - for whatever personal reason or simply because they are fully booked. Also the first page of lesson threads contain several threads from people looking for teachers. I accept that this is beyond the control of YC but with the departure of SSC, who had a handful of "students" (of which I was one), it paints a rather bleak picture of the lesson scheme.

I think that some improvements could be in order for the lesson system though I am unsure of what this could entail.

Personally, once I graduate, I would be happy to get involved further with the forum as I am taking a gap year and anyway to stay involved with music would be welcomed. I am hoping to get into some private study of 20th century harmony and work intensely on a lot of smaller works, like SSC suggested so I'm not really concerned that I don't have a teacher now but I liked the idea of having someone support me through things.

I am not "selling myself" here but, at Uni, I've done a couple of harmony modules as well as "style studies" module looking at Bach chorales and Classical string quartet and have all the "study guides" recommended by my University in which to help in the creation of lessons. As well as this I self taught myself theory to a grade 5 level to do the exam and have 4 years of university under my belt etc so if there was a student pool around, I would be willing to offer my time to do basic theory (covering the topics which come up on the ABRSM Grade 5 exam) lessons as well as basic tonal harmony etc. Now, while Composition lessons would have to be no-no since I need those ;), in theory I have something to offer the lessons scheme.

Of course, this would have to be up to whoever decides on teachers. But my point is that maybe such "basic" lessons in music aspects offered by a couple of members with the right level of understanding to cover these topic is an idea YC could consider. I think it would allow more experience teachers to spend time with students on more complex aspects of composition.

I know that there is a "private" discussion going on with the staff but I think YC is getting into a bit of a rut so maybe us lowly members have some suggestions on how things could be improved in this department.

The lessons system does need a kick up the behind, I fully agree.

I've been meaning for a while to implement a measure which auto-removes teachers who declare themselves unavailable for a long period of time while maintaining no students. Maybe now would be a good time to put that into practice.

Expect something to happen within the next few days, unless I am too busy with work...

It is now possible for users who have applied for lessons to withdraw their existing application, in case the teacher of their choice fails to respond to the request.

This can be done from the teachers list via a link at the bottom in places of the application form. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

It is now possible for users who have applied for lessons to withdraw their existing application, in case the teacher of their choice fails to respond to the request.

I also see its now showing when teachers last logged in. Are they plans to introduce a guideline that states if a teacher doesn't log in regular that they are removed from the list?

No such official guideline exists, nor automatic removal from the list based on last login time, but if a teacher becomes very inactive then it would seem prudent to remove him/her from the list, yes.