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Giving Knowledge, Gaining Knowledge

Since May, I have been teaching a young boy (8-year-old), music. Manish, a less privileged boy, is currently my pupil. Tejomay Charitable Trust has enabled me to impart musical knowledge to an enthusiastic pupil. Till now, I have covered multiple topics essential to building a strong foundation in music.
Previously, I had taught English at Samriddhi Trust (A bridge school for the economically and educationally backward classes) to a girl older than I. She learnt 5-6 lettered words by the end of our 3 week reading concourse. Bolstered by my success, I began keeping a lookout for similar opportunities.
After a few years, I was given a teaching responsibility again. It utilised my education of 8 years in music. Finally possessing the prospect to give back to society, I leapt upon it. Seeing an individual with a passion for learning music at such a young age was new to my eyes. Of late, scientific education and sports seemed to grab the limelight. With great zeal, I began tutoring this musicophile.
I was confronted with numerous challenges at first. Resources were a cumbersome obstacle. Fortunately, the Internet was able to provide an adequate stock of sheet music. Knowledge retention was another difficulty I do still encounter. Repetition does not considerably assist the process of teaching. Having faith in the power of curiosity, I began motivating Manish to question and answer questions.
Hot on the heels of my problem-solving spree, I looked around for my next opponent. I did not have to strain my eyes. Music requires the learning of complicated Latin terminology and theory. Any musical beginner is easily dissuaded by such boring theory. Manish too was no exemption. Thinking of innovative solutions was the only feasible way of enchanting the boy. From using MIDI Sequencers to Playing example pieces, my list of such solutions was lengthy.
As I continue my journey as his teacher, I have had realisation dawn me. My current stint as a teacher is providing a new perspective to music. I provide knowledge and gain it too. I teach to learn. Such an experience is not typical in life. We must grab the opportunity by its horns, and unlock our true potential. We must teach to learn.

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