learning forum: finding a teacher

Introduction

Finding a teacher is not a difficult task, but finding the right teacher can make the process very stressful. Naturally we tend to ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. This is usually satisfactory for beginning students but you should also keep in mind that the wonderful teacher your friend's child has is not necessarily going to produce the same results with your child. Having compatible personalities is a critical factor in having a successful student-teacher relationship. But it's just as important to know what your expectations and the student's goals are.

No matter what these expectations and goals are, your foremost concern should be finding an instructor who will provide your child with a positive learning experience. This requires not only a dedicated teacher but also someone who can instill and foster the love for the instrument and music.

How do you define your student's goals? First, you must know your child's interest level. Second, is this a 'recreation' or a 'life-long' learning. Third, what do you want your child to get out of the experience. Fourth, your expectations. As parents, we have to remember that whatever guidance we give our children while they are young will stay with them for life. Think about how important it is to have music in your child's life. Do you want your daughter to just know how to play the piano? Or do you want her to appreciate music to the fullest? It is of course impossible to predict how far your child will go in music education, but goals can be adjusted as children mature. By setting goals now, you will be better prepared to commit the time and effort necessary to help your child reach them. This will also help you find a teacher who fits your criteria.

Define Your Goal

I have divided achievements (goals) into two major stages - Musical Foundation (MF) and Total Musicianship (TM). Children who complete Musical Foundation will acquire a substantial amount of knowledge in performance, music theory and music appreciation. Children who reach Total Musicianship will build a solid understanding of performance, music theory and music appreciation. You will find a complete description of both achievement stages in Setting Your Goal. I have further divided each achievement area into two phases - MF I & II, TM I & II. These are defined in Reaching Your Goal where you will find specific skills your child needs to fulfill that level of study. Once you have determined what your child's goal might be, then you will be ready to find the right piano teacher for your child.

Finding a Teacher

Once you have a goal in mind for your child and you know what commitment is required to reach that goal, you will now be able to identify a teacher whose teaching style and philosophy fit your criteria. Teachers are not expected to provide every area of study listed under Setting Your Goal. Parent involvement is necessary to fulfill areas outside a teacher's teaching scope.

Finding a teacher is a personal task. You want the teacher to have all the qualities that would enhance a positive education for your child. Some of the qualities I believe are essential are: nurturing, an optimist, exerts positive energy, dedicated, patient, encouraging, has a compatible personality, organized, and has realistic expectations. Yes, it would be impossible to find any person with all of these qualities. You will need to make compromises and weigh the pros and cons. You must decide what is most important for you and your child.

The following topics will answer some of your preliminary questions and the Step-by-Step Guide will help you through the process of finding a music teacher, including my Top 10 Questions to Ask and Top 10 Things to Look For.

What parents need to know:

Distance: I would drive any distance for my children to study with the right teacher. This may be difficult these days with our ever-increasing after-school activities. Fortunately, we have an excellent pool of piano teachers within a 20-mile radius. You should not have much trouble finding a good teacher in our area. I would be very skeptical of those teachers who come to your home.

Fees:

• Private Lesson: Private lesson fees range from $40 to $60 per hour depending on the teacher's qualifications and what teachers feel is fair compensation for their services.
• School and Conservatory: If you choose to take lessons through a music school or conservatory, each private lesson generally averages around $50 per hour. Some schools may include weekly classes and other related activities without additional fees.
• Activities: Fees for auditions, competitions and examinations are additional. Teachers who offer studio classes may charge extra for each class. Parents may also be asked to share the cost of renting a recital hall.
• Other Costs: Students are expected to purchase their own music, unless the teacher offers music for loan. Aside from the cost of purchasing a piano or renting a piano, you also need to have piano tuning regularly. Accessories such as a metronome or a foot stool may be necessary to meet your needs.

Investment: You need to look at piano education as an investment, not just financially, but in terms of your energy, time, and effort. And because it is an expensive endeavor, serious commitment to daily practice is necessary to get the most out of your money. Having the right piano teacher will save you valuable time and benefit your investment in the long run. Music education is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your child that lasts a lifetime, so invest wisely.

Note:You will come across teachers who charge quite different rates. Don't be swayed by the fee they charge. A higher fee does not mean a better teacher. Teachers set their fee based on what parents are willing to pay, how much they feel is fair compensation for their time, and how much is needed to cover their expenses. I would never sign up with a teacher based on the fee alone. You will end up saving a lot more than $5 a lesson if you've found the right teacher. Remember, bad habits will take more time to correct later.

Schedule: If you wait until September to start looking for a teacher, you may be too late. The best time to look is in the Spring for the following school year. By that time, most teachers should know the number of available spaces for the following year, and you might even be able to jump start with summer lessons. Most teachers also offer recitals at the end of the school year, providing another opportunity to 'check-out' the teachers.

Switching Teachers: It is perfectly normal to switch teachers, especially if you feel the current teacher cannot provide further advancement for your child or if your child's interests have changed. For whatever reason, if you need to reassess your child's goal, follow the same guideline described in setting your goal and reaching your goal.

What we need to know about teachers:

Professional: Teachers are considered business professionals and they should conduct their business in a very professional manner. This means keeping parents informed of studio rules and policies such as lesson schedules, cancellations, late arrivals, payment schedules, recitals, etc. Parents, on the other hand, must also respect the teacher's rules and policies and comply accordingly.

Income: Find out if piano teaching is the sole source of income. Most teachers begin teaching in the afternoon after children are out of school, so many often work during the day to supplement their teaching income. Teachers who depend solely on teaching income tend to put more effort into their teaching.

Requirements: A teacher should provide the student -

• Repertoire: Students should have a collection of music pieces varying in styles and composers covering periods of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Contemporary. ( see Composer Directory)
• Technics: Scales and finger exercises should be included in daily assignment. (see Technical Skill)
• Music Theory: Whether the teacher uses a method book or provide work sheets, there should be some music theory incorporated into weekly assignment/lesson. (see Music Theory). Most teachers are not able to cover all the areas in Music Theory; parents should explore options outside private lessons to include music theory as part of the music education. (see Music Schools)
• Music Appreciation: Teachers should provide resources for students, such as recommendations of CDs and books or newsletters with current concerts and events. (see Market Place for my recommendations and Calendar of Events for concerts)

Resume: Here are a few items you should look for in a teacher's resume -

1. Where did the teacher receive his/her music education? What degree(s) and in what area of study? Having more or higher degrees does not guarantee a better teacher but suggests someone who has a wider range of knowledge in music education. I would be concerned if a piano teacher's main area of study is not in piano (e.g. choral music or conducting), or teaches a variety of instruments. You want someone who is committed to the instrument you are interested in.
2. How many years have they been in teaching? Someone with a college degree in music does not automatically makes the person an experienced music teacher. An experienced teacher must know how to transfer that knowledge to their students through their teaching. This usally means someone who has been in the field for a few years and has been exposed to many learning styles.
3. What local organizations and professional programs does the teacher participate in? Participation in music organizations and programs is important to provide the students with opportunities outside the studio. The degree of participation suggests the level of commitment of the teacher.
4. Does the teacher offer regularly scheduled recitals, music theory classes or music workshops or activities? Teachers should offer at least two recitals a year. Most teachers don't offer separate music theory classes but should at least incorporate music theory during private lessons. Very few teachers conduct workshops or organize concert outings, though teachers should keep parents informed of these events.

Studio: It is important to visit the studio where lessons will be given. If it's at a private residence, find out if the studio is isolated from the main house and what kind of piano is available for use. Does the teacher make available other resources for students and parents (CDs you might be able to borrow, a bulletin board with current events)? Teachers are professionals and you should expect the studio to look professional.

Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the Right Teacher:

With a wealth of information at hand, you are ready to begin the final process.

1. Check the Teacher Directory (coming soon) and ask friends for recommendations. Find out if the teacher has a student recital that you and your child can attend.
2. You can be much more objective when you are a guest at a recital. Not only will you have an opportunity to hear the quality of playing; it is also a chance for your child to observe a recital they may take part in later on. Things you should look for at the recital:
   1. The ages and levels of the students. There should be a good balance.
   2. The children's presentation and performance skills ( see Attend Concerts).
   3. The children's posture and hand positions (see Musical Foundation I Skill Guide).
3. When you get a chance after the recital, try to chat with other parents. Also observe the teacher's interactions with their students and parents. There is nothing better than first-hand information.
4. Top 10 questions to ask at the interview:
   1. Do you expect all your students to enroll in auditions or competitions? (Is this your goal?)
   2. Do you encourage your students to participate in these programs? (Encouragement is good without pressure)
   3. How did your students do in these programs? (This indicates the level of teaching)
   4. What type of music do you generally teach? (Classical is most popular but you also want diversity)
   5. What type of teaching method do you use? (There isn't a single method that is suitable for every child, the teacher must tailor each student's needs with different options)
   6. Do you teach music theory? (It's a must)
   7. Do you use teaching tools? (some teachers may use computer software, you are paying for a personal lesson, you can do this at home)
   8. Do you help students acquire music appreciation? (The teacher has books, recordings, videos, etc.. for students to borrow or is affiliated with programs)
   9. Are parents allowed to observe the lesson? (If the teacher has a problem with that, you might want to know why, some finds it a distraction for the student)
   10. What other fees are there? (Besides the costs mentioned above, sometimes teachers charge for borrowing software, movies, etc.)
5. Top 10 things to look for at the interview and later on:
   1. Does the studio have a separate entrance and a waiting area? (If the studio is in a residence, it's best if the studio is kept separate from the main house)
   2. Are the studio and the piano in good condition? (An organized studio means an organized teacher, you can't give lessons with a piano that is out of tune or falling apart)
   3. How is the initial contact between your child and the teacher? (Having eye contact is very important)
   4. What is the body language exhibited by the teacher toward your child? (There should be some physical contact suggesting the teacher is able to form a personal relationship)
   5. Is the personality of the teacher compatible to your child's? (There should be some chemistry between them)
   6. Does the teacher show patience when your child makes a mistake? (Teachers should always allow students to make mistakes a few times)
   7. How does the teacher approach the mistake? (Hopefully with encouraging words)
   8. Is the teacher capable of explaining to the child at their intellectual level? (If the teacher can't explain at the level an 8-year old can understand, it will not be too effective)
   9. Does the teacher award students for a job well done? (Little things like Music Reward Stickers work very well for children or even Beanie Babies for bigger accomplishments)
   10. Is the teacher sending the right message to your child? (Winning is not everything)