Tess in the Burbs Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Oh my gosh, if I had known how hard it would be to find new music teachers I never would have agreed to move for dh's new job! I have visited all of these places in person and am just shocked at how rude people are, the crappy instruments they are renting without any breakage insurance, and the non availability of times for classes! Right now we have the kids signed up for Sat 1pm classes in a few weeks but I can't get a rental until the 20th from the place I want to rent from that will have a decent violin! It's far from me, so I get to drive there the day before lessons start up and my dd will not have played for over a month by the time she gets to start with her teacher.....she's pretty good for only 6 months but all that work won't be obvious! They were able to meet the new teachers and my ds hates his teacher b/c he has long hair. His old teacher had long hair but wore it back and apparently my son never knew. This teacher is an 80's rock star down to his hair and outfit. I told my ds that means he's been playing a long time and is good. Ds doesn't like his hair and that is that! My dd doesn't like her teacher b/c it's a man. He was very nice and has daughters close to her age but nothing would warm her up. I am kinda thinking this isn't going to work out and we won't have a teacher in a few weeks and then I will be on the hunt for a lady! And prices! Violin is more than guitar at some places. Same at others. And some charge monthly based on the teacher. No consistency. And I have to consider my drive time. Right now lessons will put us over budget. I am ready to tear my hair out! Done venting. If you have a great music set up....don't.ever.move. You were warned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Is there a University/College/Conservatory prep department near you? (They're also sometimes called "Community Music Schools"). Such programs serve as both training programs for music teachers in training and a way for community members, children and adults, to get high quality music instruction, usually on a sliding scale based on income. Usually there will be multiple teachers using different methodologies you can meet with and be placed with, and choose the one that is best for your child (I believe we have over 20 violin teachers, for example-some teach only a few hours a week, some close to full-time). On rentals, this is one the Suzuki string teachers at my college recommend. http://www.sharmusic.com/. I haven't used them personally, since I teach piano, but I trust my colleagues to know what is good for their students. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindy Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Yeah, rent your violin from http://www.sharmusic.com. I buy all my violin gear from them. Their service is excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 thank you! I am going to call them tomorrow :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 I second the vote for Shar. I buy, don't rent, but have been very happy with Shar overall. I've bought many violins from a number of places, and the most recent from Shar. I was very happy. I have never taken lessons through a music store. I have always found individuals. Have you sought out teachers with their own studios? Where in VA are you? If you are in NoVA, then the rudeness might just be culture shock. NoVA folks are just ruder than most other places. (I grew up in NoVA, so I can say that, lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 I am in NOVA :tongue_smilie: In fact, we went to the skate park so my son could skateboard and those teens were the nicest people we have met yet :001_huh: I have to say, we have met some very nice homeschoolers in the area as well but at businesses I find people to be very rude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Knoll Mom Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Oh my gosh, if I had known how hard it would be to find new music teachers I never would have agreed to move for dh's new job! I have visited all of these places in person and am just shocked at how rude people are, the crappy instruments they are renting without any breakage insurance, and the non availability of times for classes! Right now we have the kids signed up for Sat 1pm classes in a few weeks but I can't get a rental until the 20th from the place I want to rent from that will have a decent violin! It's far from me, so I get to drive there the day before lessons start up and my dd will not have played for over a month by the time she gets to start with her teacher.....she's pretty good for only 6 months but all that work won't be obvious! They were able to meet the new teachers and my ds hates his teacher b/c he has long hair. His old teacher had long hair but wore it back and apparently my son never knew. This teacher is an 80's rock star down to his hair and outfit. I told my ds that means he's been playing a long time and is good. Ds doesn't like his hair and that is that! My dd doesn't like her teacher b/c it's a man. He was very nice and has daughters close to her age but nothing would warm her up. I am kinda thinking this isn't going to work out and we won't have a teacher in a few weeks and then I will be on the hunt for a lady! And prices! Violin is more than guitar at some places. Same at others. And some charge monthly based on the teacher. No consistency. And I have to consider my drive time. Right now lessons will put us over budget. I am ready to tear my hair out! Done venting. If you have a great music set up....don't.ever.move. You were warned! I don't know if you're interested in an alternative arrangement for guitar, but my brother teaches lessons on-line via Skype. He has students all over the world. It's a real boon for him because he gets to teach during non-traditional hours since his on-line students come from different time zones. There are other people who do the same things. Just troll YouTube looking for guitar teachers and you'll find others. And I totally hear you about the way guitar teachers look. My brother says he is the only person in his studio without tats and piercings and gets a lot of students from that fact alone. (Not that there's anything wrong with that...he just lives in a super conservative town.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Hang in there for the transition. As a music teacher, I have often seen that transfer students just take several weeks to get used to a new/different teacher, especially when they really loved their old teacher. I would just give it 4 to 6 weeks, then see how everyone feels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted August 3, 2010 Author Share Posted August 3, 2010 we went to another place yesterday and they met more teachers and both really liked the place and the teachers. We put money down there to start next week. It's more than I hoped to pay but for now we will try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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