Popular musicians and instrumental teachers: the influence of informal learning on teaching strategies

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between how popular musicians learn and how they subsequently teach, and considers the extent to which they incorporate their own informal learning practices into their work as teachers. A group of eight UK teachers was recruited and data collection, involving interviews and lesson observations, took place between January 2006 and December 2008. Findings are reported here in relation to two teachers in particular, whose learning histories were similar but whose teaching practices were very different. The ways they valued the results of their informal learning practices seemed to determine the extent to which they sought to replicate them in their teaching. There is evidence for the significance of learning histories, and implications for training and professional development.