Another new student

I recently started another student.  He has an interesting violin history.  He studied violin with a teacher for a year during high school.  A year or two later he played in an Irish pub where he was performing often without any input, even from the band members.  Their instructions were: just play!  We talked today about how the latter must have been a steeper learning curve for him, as he was forced to perform regularly, thinking ahead as he played, with no rehearsal time.  It was exciting, fun, and scary.  Think of the adrenalin rush! lt would have been far more motivating than practicing for lessons.

In my experience, many adult students are very excited to learn but life often runs its own course.  I am faced with the interesting challenge of gaining his interest, trust, and respect, and therefore maintaining his motivation.  I guess in the long run, it's going to be up to him too.