BAD TECHNIQUE | THE JOYS OF MUSIC EDUCATION

“Bad Technique” highlights a simple but often overlooked truth — how you learn matters.

This painting explores one of the most common tragedies in music education: being blamed for problems that were never properly explained.

The young violinist practises, repeats, and tries harder. The adults around him react with frustration, concern, and disappointment.

The assumption is simple: if the result is poor, the student must not be talented enough.

Yet technique is not something a child is born knowing. It must be taught.

Too often, generations of students were expected to somehow discover complex physical skills on their own. When tension appeared, when the sound became strained, or when progress slowed, the blame frequently fell on the student rather than on the quality of instruction.

What follows is often a familiar story: years of effort, growing frustration, diminishing confidence, and the belief that a lack of results must mean a lack of talent.

This work reflects on the hidden cost of poor teaching and the unnecessary suffering created when knowledge is replaced by assumption.

Part of The Joys of Music Education - Old School Series, an ongoing collection exploring the absurdities, contradictions, humour, frustrations, and emotional realities experienced by generations of music students.

Original acrylic painting on canvas.

50.5 × 40.5 cm

One-of-a-kind artwork.

Signed by the artist

Original artwork shipped from Australia.