When we, as string professors work with undergrads AND with older and more experienced grad students should we have different approaches in our teaching styles? I actually do think so. In fact, I think it’s necessary for us to them know that we have different expectations regarding their lesson preparations. And for those undergrads who continue with us for graduate work I think it’s especially important to have talks with them about transitioning into a more flexible lesson style where they need to take over the bulk of their ownership of their learning, their progress and their goals. They are hopefully already prepared to find wiser technical solutions as well as more options of how to shape their phrases, and how to find deeper meaning in their interpretations. So, essentially our role would simply lean more in the direction of first allowing them the space to come up with their own musical ideas and technical solutions. Then if they still need assistance or if we expect them to reach a higher level we can ask them appropriate and leading questions and can perhaps offer more specific guidance and solutions to help improve their performance level. Many undergrads may not be ready for that but I think that most graduate students are not only ready for that but are also more independent thinkers already at that point in their lives and will welcome that ownership and ultimately become more empowered to present more confident performances…