Danjo
Master Black Belt
I just read an article by Charles C. Goodin where he discussed the pros and cons of having many students versus a few students.
He pointed out that the masters of old usually only had a few students at a time and had very few senior students to carry on the art.
Clearly the idea of having fewer students is that it allows more time per student, ie., a better opportunity to focus on details etc. The idea of having many students is that it pays more and is neccessary of one is to make a living teaching martial arts fulltime.
I wonder if there is any inherent advantage to having a large number of students? Are you more impressed with someone that has a great number of black belts under him (and black belts under them)? Or does it make any difference when you evaluate soneone?
Do you prefer to train in a large dojo/school, or a small one? Do you prefer a large number a training partners, or a few good ones? etc. etc.
Can large numbers of people be trained to a high level of quality, or does this depend on the simplicity or complexity of the art that one is training in?
He pointed out that the masters of old usually only had a few students at a time and had very few senior students to carry on the art.
Clearly the idea of having fewer students is that it allows more time per student, ie., a better opportunity to focus on details etc. The idea of having many students is that it pays more and is neccessary of one is to make a living teaching martial arts fulltime.
I wonder if there is any inherent advantage to having a large number of students? Are you more impressed with someone that has a great number of black belts under him (and black belts under them)? Or does it make any difference when you evaluate soneone?
Do you prefer to train in a large dojo/school, or a small one? Do you prefer a large number a training partners, or a few good ones? etc. etc.
Can large numbers of people be trained to a high level of quality, or does this depend on the simplicity or complexity of the art that one is training in?