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How to choose a piano teacher?


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We want to get our 10 and 7 year old started on piano lessons.  I have the names of a few teachers nearby but I'm not sure how to go about choosing one.  What do you ask a potential teacher?  My older son can read some music. I'm not sure about my younger son - he has had some light exposure, but nothing formal.  Other than that, I don't even know what to discuss.  I can play a little piano but never took formal lessons.  We have a Clavinova at home. Thanks for any input. :)

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The teacher should do a free trial lesson. If they don't, don't bother. 

 

During the lesson you should evaluate:

1. What is her personality? Is she stern - encouraging - sweet - easygoing - serious?

2. How does your DS relate to her? Does he feel that he can have a conversation with her and talk freely? Or is he intimidated? Uneasy?

3. When she gives homework, does it seem to easy or too hard and does she make it very clear what they are to be doing? Does she write it down or does she expect them to remember based on verbal notes?

4. Do her terms and conditions contain anything odd?

5. How many recitals/events are expected and does this fit with your goals?

6. Does she primarily use leveled books or does she teach from actual pieces?

7. Does she teach all musical genres or does she tend to stick with classical/contemporary/whatever?

8. What levels are her other students?

 

* I use a generic "her" for teachers even though there are plenty of excellent male teachers. Sorry.

 

There aren't any right or wrong answers. It just matters how it fits with your sons and your goals for music lessons.  For example, a teacher that had primarily beginning and maybe a few intermediate students wouldn't be acceptable for me but it is perfectly fine for a friend of mine.  DS's teacher is stern but adds just the right amount of encouragement; I've found that DS doesn't do well with the sweet, easy-going "lady from church" type of teachers.  Those are just examples. 

 

I think before you make your first trial run, pinpoint exactly what you want to get out of the lessons. Do you want them to perform in events like the Guild or Certificate of Merit? Do you want them to know enough to play for family/church/friends?  How much time are you willing to devote to practicing now and in the future (obviously estimating about the future, but if you only want them to give up 20-30 minutes a night for practice then having lofty goals may not be realistic, ya know?)  And so on...

 

There are also a plethora of good blogs/articles if you google "how to choose a piano teacher".

 

ETA:  THEORY!  A good teacher will always include theory - whether on the computer or books that she checks.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

You should know few things while choosing right piano teacher.

·What Is the Teacher’s Level of Experience ·Do They Host Recitals ·Where Is the Lesson Held ·How Long Will Lessons Be ·Are There Any Extra Costs

 

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Guest msarts

The most essential thing is a natural fit between your child and the teacher. Set up a meeting between your child and a prospective teacher. Don't do all the talking. Let your child speak for herself. Look for simple things. Does this teacher

  • Make eye contact with your child?
  • Seem genuinely interested in what your child says?  
  • Draw your child out?
  • Have a sense of humor?
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I'd also really look at what your child needs. I started my DD with a colleague of mine who is, like me, a specialist in music development, and therefore teaches primarily young children, because I knew she'd be good for DD at the time. At 10, DD isn't the oldest student in the studio, but is the most advanced, but I'm leaving her there because the teacher is a good emotional support for DD, and piano lessons are cheap therapy. She's not going to be a musician, she's not frustrated and demanding more, and she's making progress with excellent technique, so I' not going to fix what's not broken, even though for almost any other student both her teacher and I would have recommended moving on.

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For me, I treated piano like any other subject we learn in homeschool – I read up on different piano pedagogy philosophies and methods (just poking around on the web). Suzuki was the method that clearly stood out to me as fitting with my own philosophies as a classical homeschooler, so I then read a book or two about that in particular and was further confirmed that it was best for us. Once I settled on that philosophy and method, I found a teacher who taught according to that method.

 

Personality-wise, I would not say we are a great fit. But I am so, so happy with her! She has done *wonders* with my kids on piano, and has turned them from completely and utter ambivalence to truly loving and excelling at piano. They have progressed SO MUCH, and that is why they love it.

 

I took piano when I was young with a teacher who let me play what I wanted to play, was very laid back (no pressure on me, etc.). On the surface there was a lot about the situation that seemed appropriate for me and my personality, but in retrospect it was a terrible situation for me. I loved piano when I started, but over time I simply did not progress and ended up quitting after a couple of years.

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As a kid I was taught piano by an extended family member who was a professional piano teacher.  I learned with him from age 2 to I think maybe 12.  I loved it.  He taught rigorously but with fun and support, making it fun when I was tiny and letting me explore my own musical passions and interests later on (along with what he thought would be good for me)... I liked certain composers... the person I took lessons with loved jazz... so he let us explore these.  I was doing recitals at a very young age, practiced happily a lot, and on a track where I think I might have continued playing into college.  I'd had a hand injury earlier so I'm not sure... but it was a good, healthy path.  

 

He moved away and I started taking lessons with another teacher.  During the second or 3rd lesson I hadn't memorized the half page she had recommended... because I had been really inspired by another song and had learned all 5 pages of that song instead.  I remember being so excited to go in and show her I'd learned the whole song because it moved me and I loved playing it.  She reprimanded me for not learning the 1/2 page she'd told me to and put a "bad job" sticker on the page.  I quit taking lessons entirely 2 weeks later and never really practiced consistently after that.  

 

I am trying to re-learn as I teach my own kiddos...  I was taught theory, (even starting at 2), but that second teacher would have done more for me musically if she had just sat there and been kind and supportive, and known absolutely nothing about music.  Do your research and find out what methods you might like... but from a kid's perspective... from my perspective... music is an art... and if a kid taps into it deeply it will be emotionally important to them... so find someone that will treat that tenderness with love, respect, and kindness.  

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I'm not sure if you have this option, but for 2 sons I would strongly consider trying to find a youngish (mid-20s), fun and energetic, well-trained male teacher. I've always had female teachers for my dc up until a year ago when my ds9 and 13 started classical guitar with a male teacher. It is really amazing how they are responding to their teacher's energy, typical male interests (e.g., computer games), expressions, etc. They LOVE playing music with him and they love working hard for him in a way that they never did with their female teachers. It could just be his personality, which is certainly a factor, but I suspect that there is more to it than that.

 

 

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The most essential thing is a natural fit between your child and the teacher. Set up a meeting between your child and a prospective teacher. Don't do all the talking. Let your child speak for herself. After that ask your child these questions:

  • How did you feel when you were working with her?
  • Was there anything she did that made you uncomfortable or confused? 
  • Would you like to see her again?
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