What is Toxic Pedagogy? What Musicians Need to Understand

T.L. Mazumdar Author

Sep 01, 2024 |

What is Toxic Pedagogy? What Musicians Need to Understand

Artistic development is a delicate world. Especially in music where the practitioner's role engages all mental, physical, rational, and intuitive aspects, the role the mentor plays in their journey is crucial.

Unfortunately, not all pedagogy is created equal. Some teaching methodologies can run a serious risk of stifling the creativity of budding artists instead of nurturing it and can even result in long-term damage to both their physical and mental health.

This is where the concept of "toxic pedagogy" needs to be unpacked. For better or worse, it's a term that every musician needs to understand. to just to safeguard their own artistic and personal growth, but those of their collaborators and mentees.

Defining Toxic Pedagogy

Simply put, toxic pedagogy refers to teaching practices that are harmful.

While not a hard rule, they tend to breed in environments that prioritize authority and control of the teacher over the well-being and creative freedom of students.

These methods can manifest in various forms ranging from subtle to blatant—authoritarianism, emotional manipulation, excessive criticism, passive aggressive commentary and unrealistic expectations.

At its core, toxic pedagogy undermines the learner’s confidence, creativity, and emotional health.

Recognizing the Signs of Toxic Pedagogy

For musicians, recognizing the signs of toxic pedagogy is the first step toward creating a healthier learning environment. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

1. Authoritarian Approach:

A teacher who relies completely or even heavily on exerting control and rigid rules on their students without their consent or feedback will eventually not just stifle your creative expression, but threaten to ‘break’ their spirit. Music as an art form thrives on exploration and innovation, not conformity, despite generations of institutional systems insisting otherwise.

Just to be clear, that does not undermine the role discipline plays in the practice. But that’s exactly where the holistic mentor will make the effort to gauge the particular aptitudes of their mentees and try to ‘collaborate’ with them on a system that helps them find that balance between freedom and discipline.

2. Emotional Manipulation:

If your teacher ever uses guilt, shame, or fear to ‘motivate’ you, it’s a BIG red flag. While I personally don’t recommend jumping to conclusions, usually this is a clear indication of toxic pedagogy. One that can lead to anxiety and a distorted self-image.

3. Excessive Criticism:

While constructive feedback is essential, a constant barrage of negative comments can erode your confidence. A balanced approach that includes positive reinforcement is crucial for growth. Excessive criticism and judgy, passive-aggressive or sarcastic comments are not a great space to be around. The amount of real-estate and energy that can take up in our heads is really the last thing we need to add to an already overwhelming list of tasks when growing our artistic skills.

4. Unrealistic Expectations:

Pushing students beyond their limits without considering their individual pace and capacity can lead to burnout and resentment toward the art form.

The implications of the same are something too many music educators have not been educated themselves in adequately.

I’d like to stress though, that this sadly common situation presupposes that the teacher has in fact taken the time to gauge where their limits are. Which is actually quite rare. Either way, it results in a picture where they’re missing something important in their role as a mentor or coach. So watch out for this one.

The Impact of Toxic Pedagogy on Musicians

The effects of toxic pedagogy on musicians can be profound and lasting. It can create a sense of inadequacy, hinder creative expression, and in some cases even lead to a complete withdrawal from music.

For many, the joy of making music can be overshadowed by fear and self-doubt. Understanding these impacts can help you take proactive steps to seek healthier learning environments.

Creating a Positive Learning Environment for Musicians

As musicians, it's vital to seek and foster positive pedagogical relationships.

Here are a few suggestions for actionable steps:

1. Choose the Right Mentor:

Look for teachers who prioritize your well-being, who encourage curiosity, and who offer constructive feedback. A good mentor will not just provide you with the steps to build your artistic practice and/or career, but also help you grow both technically and emotionally. Even if it’s just by taking a simple approach like keeping the ‘bigger picture’ in mind in order to achieve this.

That might sound lame, but tunnel vision in artist development and music education is not mythology. It’s a real problem that needs awareness to solve and continue solving.

2. Set Healthy Boundaries:

Establish clear boundaries with your teacher. Your mental health and personal growth should always come first. Mentors and teachers exploiting their authority in some of the most horrific ways is a rampant pattern that we all need help de-normalize.

3. Practice Self-Compassion:

If you’ve read some of my other material, you’ll have already heard me say this and I’ll keep saying this: Be kind to yourself. Understand that learning music is a journey with ups and downs. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. That doesn’t mean you bypass your weaknesses, but don’t let that be the primary focus.

4. Community Support:

Surround yourself with a supportive community. Fellow musicians, confidante’s, therapists, coaches, friends, and family can provide the encouragement, perspective and safety needed to counteract any negative experiences.

Conclusion:

In the world of music, where passion and vulnerability go hand in hand, understanding and avoiding toxic pedagogy is crucial. By recognizing harmful teaching practices and actively seeking positive, nurturing learning environments, musicians can protect their creative spirits and continue to grow as artists. Remember, your journey in music should be empowering, filled with joy, discovery, and self-expression. As you navigate this path, prioritize your well-being and seek guidance that honors your unique artistic voice.

Categories: : mental health, self care