Posted by: clariniano on: July 8, 2009
Look to see if they participate in any online forums. Typing in a teacher’s name and perhaps specifying location will often help you find out if the teacher gets involved. Look for articles they have written. My current piano teacher regularly wrote articles for a major music publication, and when I one day I saw [...]
Posted by: clariniano on: June 23, 2009
Many people when choosing a private music teacher are often concerned with either price or location. But there are other, more important questions to ask. Here are some of them: 1) What method books do you use to teach beginners? There are many teachers using old, outdated method books, especially in piano instruction books. Be [...]
Posted by: clariniano on: June 7, 2009
Many teachers think having a large number of students is desirable, and some parents equate a teacher with a large studio as being a good successful teacher. However, a smaller studio, one with a maximum of 20 students, has its own advantages. Among these advantages are quality control of the students. This is usually offered [...]
Posted by: clariniano on: May 5, 2009
One reason why it is desirable for most students to take longer lessons weekly is because of the teacher having a comprehensive curriculum. For example, some piano students study with at least 3 books per level, often at least 4. These books may consist of the lesson book, a theory book, a technique book, and [...]
Posted by: clariniano on: May 1, 2009
• Help students gain a head start in the school music program,by developing music reading skills before the student needs them, even though many school music programs do not begin until the student is about 12 years old. • Give students who are behind in their school music classes to not only catch up to [...]
Posted by: clariniano on: April 25, 2009
There has been an alarming trend in the past few years for private music teachers to charge low fees for lessons. In some parts the fees for private music lessons, especially piano and guitar lessons, have become so low that babysitters and housecleaners are charging more money than private music teachers, without requiring study at [...]
Posted by: clariniano on: April 25, 2009
Lessons in a music store Advantages: Tends to be the least costly for the consumer. Disadvantages: Distractions from the retail section of the music store. High turnover of teachers, because the store usually takes a cut from lesson fees, which are already often below market price. Some won’t let teachers take their students with them [...]
Posted by: clariniano on: April 25, 2009
I have spaces for students starting in the summer, and have some available for September as well. I am offering a special incentive to new students. I am offering a 3 month, 45 min private lesson package which will, in September 2009, cost $175/month per student, but if students and parents choose to pay for [...]
Posted by: clariniano on: April 18, 2009
There are a number of strategies that musicians can use to improve the quality of practicing. Practice your pieces or difficult sections of pieces backwards. Don’t play the piece backwards! Learn the last bar (or part of a bar if it’s a sequence of sixteenth notes or faster) or two first, then go back two [...]
Posted by: clariniano on: April 8, 2009
“I/My son/daughter didn’t practice much this week. Can we cancel this week’s lesson?” Many private music teachers I know get this one on a regular basis. Private music lessons, especially for beginners, should never be missed, and it comes down to one basic factor: motivation. You see, when a student hasn’t practiced much, they have [...]
