“All music teachers are not created equal. The teacher closest to where you live, or the one who charges the least, is not necessarily the best choice. You want a teacher who will inspire you or your child, and nurture you as you grow artistically – someone whose style and values are appropriate for your personality and learning style.” – from Concert Pitch Piano Services “Finding the Right Piano Teacher”
I couldn’t agree more with this statement. A good piano teacher knows how to balance inspiration and fun with discipline and good practice habits. Ask your friends for recommendations.
Here are some questions you could ask when interviewing a prospective teacher:
-What is your background in music? Education and years of experience.
-Do you work in other areas of the music industry other than teaching, such as performances, bands, conducting, music agency, etc.(this can be good if you are looking for connections, but it also tells you that the teacher is very passionate about music as a career)
-What piano methods do you use? Why?
-What levels do you teach?
-What genre of music do you specialize in teaching? Jazz, classical, pop, contemporary etc..
-Do you teach improvisation?
-Do you get parents to be active participants in their child’s musical learning?
-Do you give students the opportunity to perform at recitals?
You don’t have to ask all the questions listed. Not all of the above factors are important to everyone. Some student don’t want to perform, and that’s okay. They are just an example of what you can take into consideration. You should plan ahead and come up with your own questions too, as each parent or student has their own needs to be tailored to.
You can ask for references too!
Notice that I did not put down “How much do you charge?” as one of the questions to ask. Obviously, you will need to know how much a teacher charges, but it should be a question you ask last. A teacher who charges $15/hour is not necessarily better than a teacher who charges $100/hour. Likewise, a teacher who charges $100/hour is not necessarily better than the teacher who charges $15/hour. Quality is far more important to consider.
Remember, music education is a long-term investment. A good piano teacher will inspire the student to create musically and enjoy playing piano.
Happy Practicing!
Lee is recommended by piano teachers in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information on lessons, email info@leegellatly.com or phone 604-565-4471
