Being A Music Teacher In India, The Unsung Heroes!

By Loudest Team
September 06, 2017

We reached out to music teachers to understand how we can improve music education.

Do you think AR Rahman, with all of his magnificent musical prowess, would have been the legend he is, without the love, strength, guidance, and education he received from his many teachers?

Between the 80s and 90s, our society looked down upon music education as "a refuge for the jobless". Ironically, at the same time, there was the belief that there was "no money in music". Thousands of Indians have, at some point in their childhood, been discouraged from "wasting time" on music, and instead been forced to get some "real education"' (pertinent to note here that our apathy has extended to everything apart from doctorates and engineering).

The role of music teachers, at such a time, is of utmost importance.

For example, if a kid grows up hearing music is "a waste of time" only a patient teacher can teach him to respect the art. Or, if ever a skilled kid is discouraged from following his passion, a determined music teacher can save her life. The responsibilities are endless. And now, even though these attitudes are sharply changing, we need our music teachers more than ever, because we're still far from the right direction.

"Parents who know the importance of music in our life are really interested for their kids to learn it for various purposes, but only a few allow them to choose it as a profession," says musician Ravi Kumar, who taught music in the primary, secondary and high schools for 8 years.

And that's not all. "While many parents want their kids to learn an instrument as a part of their education, many feel that “it’s good to have a hobby”. Which again isn’t probably the best way to approach music education," says 25-year-old Shashank Angiras. The only way to counter these narratives is to start at the roots -- primary and secondary schools. But here's where the struggle gets real.

"At a lot of schools, I’ve seen a definite change in the way students in a school will interact with a music teacher, as opposed to other subject teachers. There is an underlying attitude that music teachers aren’t really real teachers. And thereby, music is not considered a real subject, and not deserving of serious study. This attitude is different in music institutes," says Shashank, who only recently began teaching. "Some schools consider music to be an integral part of the holistic development of the child. Some see having musicians or a good choir as a badge of honour, and yet others give curricular studies most importance, with music classes relegated to be a kind of glorified break period, something that gives the kids some time to relax," he says.

School authorities also tend to emulate the same attitude. "It's really hard to convince authorities to get new instruments and teaching curriculum. (Schools have) not been very supportive in my and many cases I've witnessed," explains Ravi. And amid all this chaos, it doesn't help, when a few teachers themselves are undereducated.

"Very few teachers (in primary and secondary schools) are qualified enough in music to teach students. BOTH practically and theoretically... half knowledge is dangerous," says Thapa, who has been teaching in Delhi for almost 7 years.

According to Ravi, meanwhile, "only a few are there to teach, rest of them are there to survive." If at this point, you're seething because you had a great music teacher, know that you were a lucky one. The role of music teachers in the Indian music industry is only going to get greater from here.

As Kushal puts it, "good teachers show the good path to the students.. which they spend with them, craft them, polish them, and so on."

Recognising Music Basti For Their Incredible Work

It is pertinent, that we note here the incredible work of Music Basti -- an institution dedicated to creating a community and working towards enabling music learning for at-risk children to nurture confidence and skills to achieve their best. With Faith Gonsalves, Chayan Adhikari, Pavitra Chari at its helm, Music Basti has formed a (musical) community that comprises its NGO partners, donor partners, teaching artists, volunteers, musicians, and countless supporters. What's absolutely incredible about this community is that full-time musicians are the teachers. The team works every day using music as an enabler for a quality learning environment.

“Music is more than just about performing or entertaining. It builds practical, transferable and applicable skills in areas of school, work, or social development. Every child has the ability and right to excel if given the opportunities and encouragement,” said Faith during an interveiw with YourStory

Watch this incredible video, Imagine by John Lennon sung by students at Teach For India, kid's were taught to sing by Music Basti! It'll cover you in goosebumps! It's so so beautiful..!

There are many organisations and schools that are similarly understanding the importance of music as part of their curriculum, and slowly working towards making it happen.

"I have met more passionate music teachers than dispassionate ones and that is remarkable, considering that music isn’t a very financially lucrative field to go into," says Shashank.

Are Music Teachers Paid Less Than Any Other Core Subject's Teacher?

While we're talking finance, let's take a moment to bust the myth of music teachers being underpaid. Sure, the job doesn't pay you like Google and Apple, but most music teachers earn at the same level as any TGT teacher in the school. Also, schools that don't 'hire' a full-time music teacher, get one on hourly basis and pay them according to industry standards. According to the data mining giant Payscale, the average salaries of Indian music teachers is higher (woah) than the average salaries of high school teachers specialising in chemistry, mathematics, etc. [caption id="attachment_1571" align="alignleft" width="300"]

Source - PayScale[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1572" align="alignleft" width="291"]

Source - PayScale[/caption] While the pay is low at entry-level, a music teacher can see pay upgrade of 12% at the mid-career level. Salaries tend to stagnate, however, for more experienced teachers.

Most Music Teachers Are Musicians Themselves

Interestingly, most music teachers in the country are musicians themselves, and move on after 7 to 10 years, to concentrate on their own productions. All the three teachers quoted in this story are musicians themselves too.

[caption id="attachment_1575" align="aligncenter" width="300"]

Source - PayScale[/caption] Possibly the only disappointing trend in India's music teaching industry is that it is male dominated (no surprises, though) -- only 1 in every 4 music teachers in the country is a female. That said, we are hopeful that with the Indian independent scene getting stronger, we're going to see many more youngsters to own their music and make it their profession.

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Being A Music Teacher In India, The Unsung Heroes!

We reached out to music teachers to understand how we can improve music education.

The role of music teachers, at such a time, is of utmost importance.

Recognising Music Basti For Their Incredible Work

Watch this incredible video, Imagine by John Lennon sung by students at Teach For India, kid's were taught to sing by Music Basti! It'll cover you in goosebumps! It's so so beautiful..!

Are Music Teachers Paid Less Than Any Other Core Subject's Teacher?

Most Music Teachers Are Musicians Themselves

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