So you’ve decided to take a plunge into creating an exciting and valuable piano education experience. The next natural step is to find a teacher. If this is your first time scouting around for a piano instructor, this process can be a bit challenging.
However, don’t get intimidated. Choosing a piano teacher is a highly personal decision. You want to an enthusiastic, dedicated teacher who nurtures your love for music and inspires you to get better. We’ve gathered an essential guideline to help you get started with your search for a piano teacher, or any music instructor. Go ahead and uncover the right teacher for you.
1. Do your homework
What are you looking for in a piano instructor? It’s important to have a ‘sketch’ of your ideal teacher. This will turn that abstract idea in your head into a concrete picture. It’s a handy checklist to guide you through the teacher-hunting process. Ask yourself the following questions:
– Am I a beginner, intermediate or advanced piano player?
– What do I wish to accomplish from piano lessons?
– What teacher qualifications are necessary to help me reach my goals?
– How much time do I want to spend playing the piano?
– Do I want to join a group class or will I feel more comfortable taking private lessons?
– What’s my budget?
2. Gather information from outside
Communication is vital to ensure your success in selecting the right piano teacher. Reach out to your own circle. Talk to people who are willing to share their insights and experiences: your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and community members. Ask anyone you know! What process did they go through? Are they satisfied with their choice? Try to aim for at least three recommendations.
How about your local music stores and schools? They are often able to provide knowledgeable suggestions on local teachers. Alternatively, the Internet is a wealth of available resources. Once you’ve set your sights on a potential website of a music teacher or school, look for student performance videos. If possible, attend a recital. Observe how the teacher and student interact with each other.
3. Interview prospective teachers
Interviewing potential piano teachers isn’t a one-way conversation. You should all be interviewing each other. This is a great chance for you to find out who they are, how they can meet you needs, their style of communication, their teaching philosophy, and whether you can really get along with them.
Make sure to ask a lot of questions! Pay attention to the interview flow. To make the process easier, here are some important questions you should ask prospective piano teachers:
– What’s your experience as a musician and as an instructor?
– What are your credentials and educational background?
– What ages/ levels do you teach?
– Do you have a specific approach to teaching? (Look for a teacher who tailors their curriculum for each individual student.)
– Do you host recitals?
– Which kinds of teaching materials and music do you use, and why did you choose them?
– How do you evaluate a student’s progress?
– What are your expectations for students (and for their parents)?
– Where and when is the lesson held?
– How long is each lesson?
– How do you make lessons both enjoyable and productive?
– What is your fee, and what are the terms and conditions? (Always ask about any extra costs that might occur if your lesson goes over your allotted time slot.)
4. Go with your gut
Now that you’re put everything together, it’s time to make a decision. You want a friendly, patient and inspiring piano teacher, who’s willing to go extra miles to make your lessons fun, relaxed and informative. You’ll also need someone who’s active in your music education and progression, and is genuinely interested in helping you achieve your goals. And remember, you and your piano teacher need to ‘click.’
It’s crucial to trust your gut. Your intuition will tell you more information than any background, experience or referral. If you haven’t found a good fit yet, keep looking. If you try out a teacher for a little while and you’re not sure if it’s a good fit, don’t be afraid to make a change. A professional piano instructor will understand and respect your decision. Do what you think is best for your music education.
Take your time. Be patient. You’re looking for the best piano teacher for you, not someone else’s. Follow the guideline and adjust details as you go along. Before you know it, you’ll find the perfect piano teacher who fosters your love of music and brings out the musical talent in you.
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Player:Piano returns with this Cantina-worthy “Ultimate Star Wars Medley”: https://t.co/D0DxTfYW1S pic.twitter.com/BZeeuTJZPm
— Mashable (@mashable) December 10, 2015
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