Many friends have approached me about how to get started teaching piano lessons. This blog is intended to share my experiences in setting up private music lessons.
The first step is to truly to determine your own teaching philosophy and establish a plan well before the first student comes through your door. As Mary Poppin says, "Well begun is half done."
The three most important aspects to consider before starting music lessons are:
1. Having a Contract
2. Using the First Lesson as a Consultation
3. Preparing a Routine
Writing a contract is an essential ingredient in establishing a clear and organized structure for the business side of lessons. It enables everyone to be on the same page and manages expectations regarding a payment schedule (including late payments), missed lessons, purchasing books, practicing, and recitals. It is also helpful to inform everyone about your background, philosophies, and contact information.
Included is a sample contract, but only use it as a spring board. Create your own according to your style and preferences.
To be continued...
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Let's Start at the Very Beginning
Teaching little fingers how to play the piano has become one of the most joyful aspects of my life. It is surprising how rewarding it is to teach the very beginning elements of a skill. After focusing for years on becoming a better musician, striving for the more complicated and intricate, it is equally as satisfying to go back to the basics and teach a new generation the fundamentals.
So, let's start at the very beginning, my beginning.
I have felt fortunate to have grown up in a musically rich environment. My mother insisted that all six children took piano lessons. She reasoned that if we were exposed to the masterful music of the classics, we would be able to easily discern between the uplifting and the base in our own lives--and be able to choose the good. She had the vision and the stamina to stomach most of the countless battles of practicing.
Music was a part of just about every aspect of my life. We sang constantly. There seemed to be a song that fit almost every situation in life--songs about happy times, sad times, silly times, and hard times. Morning, noon, and night there were songs about our daily routines, songs about the seasons, and most importantly, songs about our religous beliefs. It was a wonderful way to grow up.
Many of my relatives were particularly gifted musicians. My grandmother had the ability to sight read just about anything put in front of her. It was a marvel to watch her play. I had aunts who taught music in the public schools and during family get-togethers they would teach, with rich harmony, a whole variety of songs. My favorite memories are of those times, singing songs as an extended family.
Looking back, I am humbled by the high caliber of teaching during my private music lessons and later orchestra conductors. I started piano lessons when I was eight, and had three good piano teachers, who gave me a good foundation and helped me learn to love the piano.
My last piano teacher taught me for over seven years and was instrumental in helping me improve as a person and as a musician. She was a good teacher--I mean she could really teach. She was able to teach on every level, from the newest beginner up to the college level. She gave us ample opportunities to perform and made it fun and exciting to learn. I will always be grateful for the impact she had on me.
My parents wanted me to become a part of a youth symphony, so I was required to learn an additional instrument. I chose the clarinet. Since I already knew how to read music, I caught on quickly and it was fun. However, just about the time my classmates caught up to me, it started to become difficult. I threw a tantrum and said I was never going to play the clarinet again.
My mother promptly took my instrument back to the rental store, and from that point on insisted that I learn the violin. If I would have known that the violin was going to be forced upon me, I would have never thrown the least fit, but my lot was cast. No amount of tantrums ever let me off the hook, no matter how hard I tried.
I am filled with regret about the lost opportunities and potential. If I would have spent half the amount of energy practicing instead of fighting, I would have become a pretty decent violinist. I had a symphony level violin teacher who was high in demand. She made sure you were perfectly prepared for each audition or recital you were to perform in. During Christmas she had a group of 16 of us play Pacabel's Cannon in D accompanied by a cello. It became a popular performing group and kept us busy playing at Christmas parties. I wish I would have been mature enough to take advantage of her excellent tutelage and further develop my abilities, but I rebelled.
Even with my resistance, my mother's plan worked. I hated the violin, but I loved orchestra. Somehow I managed to audition my way into a distinguished district wide symphony orchestra. It was a turning point in my life, as I was surrounded by excellence. Not only was I playing with many accomplished musicians, I was exposed to the greatest music that has ever been written. Listening to Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven's compositions is uplifting, playing them, however, is transforming.
One afternoon I remember being almost overcome with emotion while playing the Mars movement from Gustav Holst's symphony, The Planets. As the entire orchestra played the unified rhythm with its dominant 5/4 time signature, my whole body shook. I had to stop playing to catch my breath and take it all in. It is an experience I will never forget. I was a different person from that point on.
No longer did crude or base popular music even appeal to be. I had tasted greatness and could not look back.
Great music has made a tremendous impact on my life for good. I am so thankful for those who made it possible for me to learn to love, play, and appreciate the supernal gift of music. I now hope to share that same passion to a new generation, as I teach other little fingers how to play and love the piano too.
So, let's start at the very beginning, my beginning.
I have felt fortunate to have grown up in a musically rich environment. My mother insisted that all six children took piano lessons. She reasoned that if we were exposed to the masterful music of the classics, we would be able to easily discern between the uplifting and the base in our own lives--and be able to choose the good. She had the vision and the stamina to stomach most of the countless battles of practicing.
Music was a part of just about every aspect of my life. We sang constantly. There seemed to be a song that fit almost every situation in life--songs about happy times, sad times, silly times, and hard times. Morning, noon, and night there were songs about our daily routines, songs about the seasons, and most importantly, songs about our religous beliefs. It was a wonderful way to grow up.
Many of my relatives were particularly gifted musicians. My grandmother had the ability to sight read just about anything put in front of her. It was a marvel to watch her play. I had aunts who taught music in the public schools and during family get-togethers they would teach, with rich harmony, a whole variety of songs. My favorite memories are of those times, singing songs as an extended family.
Looking back, I am humbled by the high caliber of teaching during my private music lessons and later orchestra conductors. I started piano lessons when I was eight, and had three good piano teachers, who gave me a good foundation and helped me learn to love the piano.
My last piano teacher taught me for over seven years and was instrumental in helping me improve as a person and as a musician. She was a good teacher--I mean she could really teach. She was able to teach on every level, from the newest beginner up to the college level. She gave us ample opportunities to perform and made it fun and exciting to learn. I will always be grateful for the impact she had on me.
My parents wanted me to become a part of a youth symphony, so I was required to learn an additional instrument. I chose the clarinet. Since I already knew how to read music, I caught on quickly and it was fun. However, just about the time my classmates caught up to me, it started to become difficult. I threw a tantrum and said I was never going to play the clarinet again.
My mother promptly took my instrument back to the rental store, and from that point on insisted that I learn the violin. If I would have known that the violin was going to be forced upon me, I would have never thrown the least fit, but my lot was cast. No amount of tantrums ever let me off the hook, no matter how hard I tried.
I am filled with regret about the lost opportunities and potential. If I would have spent half the amount of energy practicing instead of fighting, I would have become a pretty decent violinist. I had a symphony level violin teacher who was high in demand. She made sure you were perfectly prepared for each audition or recital you were to perform in. During Christmas she had a group of 16 of us play Pacabel's Cannon in D accompanied by a cello. It became a popular performing group and kept us busy playing at Christmas parties. I wish I would have been mature enough to take advantage of her excellent tutelage and further develop my abilities, but I rebelled.
Even with my resistance, my mother's plan worked. I hated the violin, but I loved orchestra. Somehow I managed to audition my way into a distinguished district wide symphony orchestra. It was a turning point in my life, as I was surrounded by excellence. Not only was I playing with many accomplished musicians, I was exposed to the greatest music that has ever been written. Listening to Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven's compositions is uplifting, playing them, however, is transforming.
One afternoon I remember being almost overcome with emotion while playing the Mars movement from Gustav Holst's symphony, The Planets. As the entire orchestra played the unified rhythm with its dominant 5/4 time signature, my whole body shook. I had to stop playing to catch my breath and take it all in. It is an experience I will never forget. I was a different person from that point on.
No longer did crude or base popular music even appeal to be. I had tasted greatness and could not look back.
Great music has made a tremendous impact on my life for good. I am so thankful for those who made it possible for me to learn to love, play, and appreciate the supernal gift of music. I now hope to share that same passion to a new generation, as I teach other little fingers how to play and love the piano too.
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