Students on waiting list

[sarahlein]

For some reason this year I got a lot of inquiries for piano lessons.
I usually invite prospective students and their parents for an interview before any contracts are signed.
I do that whether I have room for them in my current schedule or not, because meeting them will determine whether they'll go on my waiting list or not.

But, like I said, I have a number of people that I can't teach at the moment so they'll have to go on a waiting list.

Let's say that the list is long (2 years). That means that a 6-year-old will be 8 by the time you get to have formal teaching periods with him. An 8-year-old will be 10 and so on.

What do you do ( or might consider doing) for these 2 years not to go by waisted?

Another point to keep in mind is that, although there might be other teachers in the area the parents insist in having you to teach their kids (perhaps because they like you and your way of teaching or for what whatever other reason, I don't think it really matters)

So, any ideas?

[Siberian Husky]

insist on them finding another teacher..although they might admire your teaching ways and your respectable way of beings etc etc..these aretwo years thatcould be put to great use instead of waiting on any kind of list...

[sarahlein]

Siberian Husky, thanks for your reply ( I do not want to sound ungreatful)
but it still does not answer my question.

What you say is true and I agree with them going to a different teacher but one can insist up to a point.

Perhaps what I'm asking is highly hypothetical, but still, if it happened how would one deal with it?
So let me repeat my question:
What do you do ( or might consider doing) for the (hypothetical) 2 years not to go by waisted?

[maryruth]

I think the choice between your waiting list and another teacher really has to be left up to the parent.  I mean, you can't make them go to another teacher.  I'd just strongly encourage them to seek another teacher--and have a list of teacher's  you respect available for them.  Let them know you really think it's best for their child to begin lessons if they want them---if they wait two years the interest may be lost, etc...but say, "I'll put you on my waiting list, but please why not just check out these others in the meantime...the choice is yours...I'm sorry I don't have any openings right now"

[sarahlein]

Ok.
 so let's say I did what  Maryruth said, and the parents decide to wait for my schedule to open.
 Then what?

[Siberian Husky]

they could join in group piano/keyboard sessions to learn basic fundamentals of keyboards i guess..some small institutions of music and art offer group classes for younger children up to adults here in my area..they go over really basic stuff..i suppose you could have them do these kinds of things to prep them for piano during that 2 year wait..

[galonia]

What I used to do was, I would keep people on my waiting list for one year.  If I have a vacancy during the year from the time they first called me, I will call them and offer them the vacancy.  If they have already found another teacher, I am not offended, and congratulate them, and call the next person on the list.

After a year has lapsed, I will remove the student from the waiting list, expecting that they have found another teacher.  If they are still interested, they may call me again.

I make this system clear from the time they call me - if I have not called you after a year has lapsed, you have to call me again, if you still want me to teach the child.

[thalberg]

Galonia, that's a good approach.

What about this approach---look through all your students' practice records, and just boot the students who practice the least.  Then you can create openings for new students.  Plus, you get the added bonus that current students will work harder for fear of being replaced.

(I'm mostly joking about this, but it's a thought)

[jeremyjchilds]

I am thinking of a possible solution to the same problem that you have...

I think I will begin training my highest level students in the art of teaching, and what I expect from them...

then I will pay them to train my "waiting list" students in the meantime, I am still in a semblance of controll, and can moniter thier progress vicariously through contact with my "student teacher" When a spot opens up, then the student will come to my studio...

Has anyone tried this? what's the bigest mistake that people make when trying this

[whynot]

I think it's better to have the children in lessons with another teacher than no lessons at all for two years.  Two years of being interested and ready is a long time not to study.  For some children there will be other options for a while, but those are going to be limited by financial and community situations.  And in a group setting they're not going to make nearly the progress nor develop nearly the undertanding that they probably (hopefully) would with a private teacher.   

I don't quite follow the rationale for a waiting list, so I've never done that.  I refer parents to other teachers I trust... although many people I admire do keep a waiting list, so there must be something to it. 

[sarahlein]

they could join in group piano/keyboard sessions to learn basic fundamentals of keyboards i guess..some small institutions of music and art offer group classes for younger children up to adults here in my area..they go over really basic stuff..i suppose you could have them do these kinds of things to prep them for piano during that 2 year wait..

Good idea. Unfortunatly there's nothing like this in my area.

What I used to do was, I would keep people on my waiting list for one year.  If I have a vacancy during the year from the time they first called me, I will call them and offer them the vacancy.  If they have already found another teacher, I am not offended, and congratulate them, and call the next person on the list.

After a year has lapsed, I will remove the student from the waiting list, expecting that they have found another teacher.  If they are still interested, they may call me again.

Well,  I guess a 1-year-wait is not as bad as a 2-year-wait.
But still, that's 12 months waisted.

look through all your students' practice records, and just boot the students who practice the least.  Then you can create openings for new students.  Plus, you get the added bonus that current students will work harder for fear of being replaced.

Perhaps that would work. ( ...for other teachers- sorry thalberg).
Shouldn't we have our students work hard out of love for music instead out of fear of being replaced?

I think I will begin training my highest level students in the art of teaching, and what I expect from them...

then I will pay them to train my "waiting list" students in the meantime, I am still in a semblance of controll, and can moniter thier progress vicariously through contact with my "student teacher" When a spot opens up, then the student will come to my studio...

Very good. I like that.


If I recall correctly Bernhard mentioned that he has a 2- year- waiting list!
So Bernhard if you find this thread, why don't you join us.

[Astyron]

I too refer people to other teachers I know.  I take their name and number and tell them I will call them when I have something open, but they ought to look for another teacher while the child has interest (or while the parent has interest).

I don't think you ought to worry as much about wasted time for a year or two if that's what the parent chooses to do.  You can only do so much, like encourage them to find another teacher, and honor their decision if they choose not to. 

However, there is plenty that a parent can do in that time off; things that have nothing to do with YOU.  A motivated parent who thinks music is important enough to get on your waiting list will find ways to involve general music in their child's life.  Here's a few things a parent can do to keep music in the child's life while they wait for an opening in your studio:

*  Take children to concerts -- orchestra concerts, band concerts, solo concerts.  Universities have tons and tons of free student recitals so parents don't even need to invest a lot of money (if they don't have it to spend on concerts)

* Read children's books about music -- this can help pique childrens' interest in the subject matter

*  Bring children to YOUR studio recitals even though they aren't yet taking from you -- this gives them an opportunity to get to know you and see other children playing the instrument.  It also gives you a better indication if the family is committed to the idea of lessons and all it entails.

*  Play CD's of quality piano music (or any classical music) at certain times of the day -- getting up in the morning, during breakfast, during study time, at bedtime.  The parent can easily ask kids questions about the music such as: Was that a high or low song?  Fast or slow?  What kind of emotion did it sound like?  Happy, sad, angry, playful, etc.  That at least gets the child thinking about some of the less technical aspects of music, but he's still thinking about music.

* Easy music theory software -- many of the software packages that teach basic music theory are easy enough that a parent can most likely follow along as the program does instructing and help the child understand the goals of each "unit".  Many of these elementary school theory programs even let them create their own music, and does some note-reading teaching too.  In a quick Google search I found a page with a list of software solutions:  https://magicref.tripod.com/articles/musicsoftware.htm   I'm sure you could find something to suggest to the waiting parents from this list or your own search that encorporates some of the things you teach in lessons.

*  Join a choir -- we all know singing improves how well kids learn and perform music on any instrument.  Even if it's something as basic (and free) as participating in a church children's choir, the child would be involved in music, learning about dynamics, phrasing, and maybe (MAYBE) note reading.  The old cliche about singers not reading music is often sadly true.

I'm sure there are lots of other ways the parent's can keep music going in the child's life and maybe you can even think of a few other things.  All of the above avoid having the child try to actually play piano and practice, which could build bad form and habits before they have actual teacher guidance.  If they want to play so badly that they can't wait, then they really ought to take from another teacher to avoid forming those bad habits.  It's just too hard to undo them later.  A final thought:  learning patience and how to wait for a good thing isn't necessarily a waste of time. 

Best of luck!

Astyron