As someone who has taught in public schools, private schools, and has been teaching private individual sessions, I have learned that the vast majority of the public is musically challenged.  There are many reasons we could consider as to why, but that’s for another time and another article. 

What I would like to do, is perhaps provide some insight and a few tips for those who feel they are under qualified when searching for an instructor for themselves or for their child.  Some of the search process is a “learn as you go” sort of thing, however, if you do your best to make yourself aware of these four areas, it should prove helpful in finding the perfect instructor for you or your child.

Environment and Chemistry

We are all uniquely and wonderfully made.  That being said, we don’t always click with each other.  It’s important that you take the time to scope out the environment that you will be studying in and the person you will be studying under.  Credentials aren’t always the “be all, to end all” but they do help. 

When looking for the environment, make sure you or your child feel safe, that it’s an inviting and creative place to be.  If they don’t invest in their space, home, or studio, what sort of investment will they make in you and your learning?  Is it comfortable?  Personalities are just as important.  Is the instructor excited about what they do and what they can teach you?  Are they honest about their abilities and limitations?  For children with learning disabilities, behavioral disabilities, are they flexible, patient and creative in their teaching styles? After the first lesson, meet with your child at home where they are comfortable so they can speak freely of their thoughts of the teacher. If your child doesn't click with them, that's ok. Just ask to be placed with another instructor.

The benefits of using TakeLessons.com is that the company works very hard to hire responsible, patient, and knowledgeable instructors. Each month, over 1,000 instructors apply to be TakeLessons certified, and less than 5% make it. TakeLessons FirstClass Guarantee allows you to switch out instructors until you find the right match for you or your child.

Methods and Expectations

It’s great to start learning something new!  It’s exciting and it’s fun!  Then comes the practice time and the schedule demands and you’re finding you didn’t have the time to put into your music as you had hoped.  Nowadays, children are just as busy as their parent’s. 100% of my students are involved in at least one or two outside activities, some even more.  This affects practice time, which in turn will affect the rate at which you or your child will learn. 

Here are a few questions to ask:

What are the practice demands?  Are you expected to advance at a certain rate?  Are there recitals involved?  Again, how flexible is this teacher in regards to students who may have disabilities?  Does your teacher stay mainly with one method, one book series?  Do they teach only out of the book?  Good, comprehensive piano instructors will incorporate the necessary drills, exercises and theory required to achieve those learning platforms outlined for each skill level.  I have been told by actual instructors that I shouldn’t attempt to teach rhythm, scales, sight-reading, and ear training, because the students cannot grasp the information and apply it.  However, my kindergarten students are very able to do so, with all of the information given, in their time and with consistency, they are able to develop a sense of musicality with these concepts.  A poor teacher will merely assign a page from the book; send the student home to learn it.  The next week the teacher will expect the student to know how to play it.  This is not teaching.

Creativity, Flexibility and Motivation

What will the teacher do to inspire you or your child to learn, to catch the excitement, to encourage practice time?  Other than a demand for practice time, are they willing or able to motivate their students to get all they can from them in their session times?  Do they offer incentives, are they creative?  Are they willing to step outside of the lesson book to play piano games using fingering exercises, using flash cards, using the music that’s written, in an adventurous way for the student?  These are very important issues to inquire about when interviewing a teacher.  Also, ask yourself what you are willing to do to inspire you or your child to practice and learn, to continue with sessions when you or they hit a dry patch.

TakeLessons has developed the S.T.A.R. Program that helps a student stay motivated. The company requires all instructors in their program to complete a Lesson Success Journal after each lesson. This is an online tool that helps parents keep track of how their child is doing with their lessons. After a lesson is complete, your TakeLessons teacher will sign in online and enter (a) what was worked on that day; (b) what the student did well at; (c) what the student needs help on; (d) and what the student should prepare for the next lesson.

Your TakeLessons account also provides you with online Practice Pages where you can train your child to record their practice time. This information is shared with your instructor so they can better prepare for subsequent lessons.

Private vs. Group Lessons

Every single child that I have received over the past ten years, that has taken from a class or group setting has had so many gaps in their music education, or knew nothing at all and merely learned by mimicking the fingerings.  Not ONE has been able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and mastering of one unit in thei
r lesson books.  This being said, I don’t fault any one person, rather I fault the misunderstanding of what’s required to be successful with this type of instruction.  In this sort of environment, you have to have worked consistently on your own and practiced diligently and have done everything to keep up with the class.  Thus, it is easy to see the disadvantages.  It’s not uncommon for a student to get home and their mind goes completely blank in regards to the new information.  Once you’re behind in a class setting, it’s your responsibility to get caught up and often it isn’t easy, it becomes overwhelming and students drop out.  I recommend class or group settings for adults who are diligent and disciplined.  This is perfect and more cost effective for the student who needs little guidance.

Private lessons are more costly, but the benefits are comparable.  One on one instruction is great for the student who needs special care and attention, or even just the extra assurance.  Private lessons should cater to the student and the student’s needs when learning.  That’s where the costs are incurred.  Time is valuable—and it all about time and care.  The time spent with individual attention can be priceless.  The progress is usually noticeably quicker and retention is noticeably better–especially in the younger students. 

If you take the time to consider these factors when searching for an instructor, you are bound to find one that not only will be qualified, but one that will suit you or your child’s personality, one that will inspire learning and will be sure to comprehensively educate and help you or your child to master the wonderful art of music.

- Contributor, Mendy. Edited by editor.