Many students and parents don’t understand the benefits of group classes and, accordingly, they don’t think it’s important to join one. Here we’ll explain the differences between private lessons and classes, and how each of them hold an important role in the process of learning how to play an instrument.
Group classes are not designed to replace or duplicate private lessons. Nothing can substitute the personal undivided attention that the student gets in a private lesson. That allows the teacher to address one on one each difficulty the student may have, to fix one by one all the mistakes, to avoid bad habits and much more. The classes are meant to complement and supplement private lessons.
There are many teaching points that work better when taught in a group setting. Some of them are music reading and theory, and basic elements of orchestra and chamber music playing (such and listening, following, matching as leading).
Another major strength of the classes is peer support and pressure. Many times it’s important for students to understand that what is difficult for him/her is also difficult for all the others, that makes them feel better and willing to practice it over and over until it’s assimilated completely. Other times she/he wants to catch up with what the others are doing, and to do so he/she practices more and better. In many opportunities they find that they cannot do what is required in the group unless they learn something they have postponed for a long time.
In other words, the group class provides many things that the private lessons cannot provide, no matter how dedicated and talented the teacher and the student are. If you are not part of a group, I strongly recommend you join one ASAP.