My Personal Thoughts on Teaching the Violin
A Testament to My 10-Year Journey
©2025 Goh Tong Keat
I am a violin teacher. I help people enrich their lives with one of humanity’s greatest creations—music. Through music, some find healing in difficult times, while others discover a means to express what words cannot convey.
On Purpose
We all recognize the benefits of learning music. Many parents enroll their children in music lessons with the hope of enhancing their intellectual, cognitive, communication, and creative abilities. While these benefits are well-documented and valuable, they should not be the sole reason for learning music. I strongly believe that music should add depth to a person’s life. Those who truly understand music also understand the depth of their own journey. Those who appreciate music will find a deeper appreciation for life. We want our children to grow up with the ability to reflect deeply, make responsible choices, and commit to their decisions. The last thing I wish to see is a generation wandering through life aimlessly, merely following what others dictate. Without a sense of depth, people become more susceptible to external pressures and temptations—often with regrettable consequences.
This philosophy shapes my role as a teacher. However, if you’ve attended my lessons, you’ll know I don’t explicitly discuss life’s purpose with my students. Instead, I teach them how to play the violin. I focus on techniques, posture, intonation, phrasing, rhythm, articulation, and musical expression. In this regard, I am no different from most music teachers. Why?
The answer is simple. To write, you must first learn to spell. To understand music, you must first learn to create it. Too often, I see students give up when they encounter challenges. Ironically, it is often these very students who stand to benefit the most from music education. Many perceive learning music as a competition—when they feel they lack talent or a promising future, they quit. While musicians train with the discipline of athletes, we do not train to compete. This fundamental misconception leads many students to abandon music too soon.
On Instruments
Having a proper violin is crucial. It is perfectly fine for students to start with an affordable entry-level instrument, but it must be at least playable. A poorly made violin can make practice frustrating and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, some parents purchase from music stores or online platforms that do not specialize in string instruments, rather than consulting a professional violinist or violin shop. Buying a violin is not like purchasing furniture or electronic appliances—the appearance or brand name tells you very little about its craftsmanship. In the worst-case scenario, you might end up with what we call a "Violin-Shaped Object" or "Toy Violin" —an object that looks like a violin but is made from substandard materials, producing a poor tone. Additionally, the bad setup can make playing unnecessarily difficult, discouraging students from progressing.
On Learning Environment
Suzuki famously said, “Man is the product of his environment.” Young children are reflections of their parents and the environments in which they are raised. Sadly, I have encountered troubling patterns among some of my young students that make me concerned for future generations. Technology has created a world of convenience, where instant gratification is the norm. As a result, many children struggle to appreciate the value of perseverance and the joy of achieving something through sustained effort. Today, shortcuts exist for almost everything—but mastering a musical instrument remains an exception. There is no substitute for years of dedicated practice.
That being said, I do not see everything in a negative light. I have also met incredible students who continue to surprise and inspire me. Their dedication reaffirms my belief in the transformative power of music education.
To conclude, I would like to offer some advice to students and parents—insights that I hope will spark meaningful conversations:
- Music learning is often boring, and it will remain so until you shift your mindset from passive participation to active engagement.
- Simply attending music lessons is not enough. Attending lessons without practicing is like buying a pair of sports shoes without the intention of using them for exercise. It may feel like progress, but in reality, nothing is being achieved.
- If your teacher has been telling you the same thing over and over again, you probably know why.
- Commitment to regular practice is the key to mastery. There is no profound secret here—just discipline and perseverance.
- For parents, be fully engaged in your child’s learning, but do not intervene out of guilt. Too often, I have seen parents who were previously uninvolved step in at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons. Your involvement is valuable, but it should be guided by an understanding of your child's progress and learning attitude.