Am I too young to teach?! It's not fair!!

[bon_bear]

  Hey!~
I've always wanted to teach piano wen i was little...and recently, I think I'm ready to start teaching some basic stuff?...but just a few weeks ago, my piano teacher told me to start teaching AFTER i finish ARCT. She said I could be her assistant...or teach Ear-training AFTER I pass...I was like:

I felt really really bad cuz I have confidence I'm capable of doing it...but then i don't knoe how to begin and I want her to start me...I've known her for almost 10 years...and i feel like she's still treating me as I'm 5 (well not literally but...you know?) ...although, I tried sounding more MATURE...cuz i thought that was the problem...but i still couldn't gain confidence in her for me. AND I FREAKIN WANNA TEACH!! lol...

I got kind of jealous too cuz i saw other ppl teaching little kids Ear-training and Theory and one of them didn't even finish their grade 10 yet...but they are 19 years old...I felt absolutely horrible cuz now i think it's my age that's in the way...>< *sniff* Yes. I'm 15 but...>< do you guys/gals think that's the reason at all?

And How do i begin? and maybe also prove to her that I AM capable of teaching...

Right now, i feel like she's blocking my dream from happening LOL...

Elizabear *sigh* 

[amojoam]

I started teaching when i was 15. I am now 17 and have 16 students. It's a lot of dedication, but it's enjoyable. One of the best jobs out there, in my oppinion, that is self-gratifying and enriching.

You start with one student, and if you do well, you'll easily get more. The grapevine is wonderful. You start from the very basics, and in someway, that's easier. So you know what a quarter note is and a half note is, but can you explain what a "beat" is or a "tempo" is to a 5 year old? That's the true test. How come a quarter note that is staccato and a quarter note that is legato both get one beat in the same meassure? It's tricky, but you learn how to teach as they learn. It's rocky in the beginning, but you push through it. And when they do accomplish a piece, or even a small concept, i think you share this happiness as a teacher. And the different methods of learning depend on each student. You learn which methods work for you, the teacher, best, and which work for the student. Whether it's flashcards, music games with legos, the chalkboard, or the magnet notes that go on the staff.
Don't worry about it being too early to start. You just have to do it, and you'll learn as they do. You need to be confident, consistent, and understanding. You need to make note of their progress, and in fact, over emphasize it, so the student feels a sense of accomplishment right from the beginning. So what, he knows where middle C is--That's more than he knew before. My mom, also a piano teacher, gave me 4 siblings (including 2 6-year-old twins) a few months after i started teaching. I think this really was my test. You have no idea the amount of insanity that went on in that little room with the tiger toys and lincoln-logs. They were hard to control, and one time i did yell. But being persistent, making them learn, and just having fun, week after week actually produces discipline. I really believe that anyone is teachable, and you shouldn't be intimidated. If you can just teach one little thing, and just spark a love for piano in someone, you've done it. You're a teacher.

And about the age difference, i teach a 30 year old. Double my age. She is actually the nanny of my very first piano student. However the age really doesn't matter. If you both acknowledge who has the maturity in piano, who is the teacher, the actual age really doesn't matter. Sometimes i've sat down at the piano bench with other adults, such as my dad or grandma, and it's obvious who has the authority. If you are confident, and really do teach, then there is no question about the age. As long as they are learning, there is nothing to worry.

And i think being a teen teacher has it's pluses. I think i understand more what the students are going through, and where they are comming from when they don't understand something. I can detect easily when they are bored with a piece, simply, because i'm bored.

I think being a young teacher has it's benefits, and i think you should totally go for it. If you want to teach, all teachers have to start sometime. Why not make your sometime now and be ahead of the gang when you are in your elder years? Find that first student and teach them something. The rest will blossom. You might even find you are teaching yourself more than you are teaching them.

good luck.

[Torp]

I've always wanted to teach piano wen i was little

my piano teacher told me to start teaching AFTER i finish ARCT.

I have confidence I'm capable of doing it...AND I FREAKIN WANNA TEACH!!

And How do i begin?

Right now, i feel like she's blocking my dream from happening...

Follow your dreams.  People can only stop you from following them if you give them the power to do so.  So, on one hand, your teacher is partially correct.  Unless you have the maturity to stand up to your teacher and follow your own inner voice, you don't really have the maturity to teach.  That is not meant in any way as a harsh criticism.  The teenage years are where you start figuring that stuff out.  This is why it can be so challenging for both teenagers and adults.  Adults are used to calling the shots and now these "kids" want to be in charge.  It is a difficult balancing act on both sides.  Adults need to give the teenagers some rope, but we've got enough experience to know you can easily hang yourself with too much of it.

One approach you can take with your teacher is to tell her that you "are" going to teach and that you'd really like her help.  If she's unwilling to help you do this, then it's probably time to move on anyway.

If this is something you really want to do, this teacher will not be able to stand in your way.  The world is full of people who will try to squash your dreams.  Don't let them.

Sorry if I'm ranting, adults who try to keep kids "down" are a pet peeve of mine.

[lostinidlewonder]

Teaching is a very important responsibility so do not take it lightly. You are there to help someone develop musically, this is a very stressful task despite your ability or the students. Be sure that you are confident not to teach out of a book, but to give direction to a student just by watching them play. Ear training, theory is all good and fine but what is your physical playing ability/teaching like? Do you know the maximum of physical efficiency when you play any technical passage? Do you know how to help people memorise music, describe the music in many ways until the student consciously accepts the logic and memorises the piece?

These are things that always worry me when a student of mine decides to take up teaching. Of course I never discourage them but I know my students lack knowledge to teach advanced students but they do well with beginners/intermediate. We have to start somewhere, it would be best to start with beginners so that you can teach simple things. With simple things you learn how to descibe it in many many ways and you learn to work out which way works for which students.

[bon_bear]

 
*sigh*
lostinidlewonder,
U do haf a point. Teaching someone is a really important responsibility...now I'm starting to question myself...after reading your post, it hit me that there are many "skills" and "techniques" that I must pick up to actually teach a student...it's not just teach teach..but it's how to teach...

It seems like I'm going no where...So should I listen to my piano teacher and follow wat she says? Wait till i actually PASS ARCT? But I'd just started it...aww poo... Be her forever SIDEKICK/ASSISTANT as my future job? lol...i mean, this isn't bad, but...

On the other hand, i'm beginning to get requests from friends that they want me to "teach" them basic stuff...(volunteerily of course LOL) and I really wanna try it...however u peeps have me thinking about some stuff...will he/she understand wat I'm trying to say? or wat I'm trying to teach them?

In past "experiences", I've got ppl staring me blankly and nodding as if they understand and I've also got ppl looking at me saying she/he DOES understand...but it seems like...it's not consistent enuf...u noe, one time i mite get these ppl saying they get it and the other time i mite just receive blank faces...

 
I really get think of any other "good" jobs in the world for me besides teaching lol~
Elizabear~ *sigh*

[rc]

Hey Elizabear... Teach your friends.

True, teaching is no small task and life experience would be useful. But the best way you're going to get that experience is through actually teaching. You'll probably make all kinds of mistakes and have a hard time of it to begin, but that's how you learn, and if you stick to it you'll figure out how it's done and mistakes will stop happening.

Teaching your friends is a great opprotunity to begin. They only want some basics to start out, test the water. You can teach them, and if by chance a friend wants to continue learning piano beyond what you're able to show them you can just refer them to your teacher.

If you're starting to get good results teaching your friends, begin to ask for a little money, because you will have earned it. Nobody will have any problems if you ask money for your services, most of my friends wanted to pay me when I tried teaching them. Only a leech would get upset over having to pay for something.

Your teachers offer to let you sit in is also a great opprotunity. You can learn on the job, being able to watch somebody who knows what they're doing. It will save you a lot of time from having to reinvent the wheel and figure out for yourself.

On another note, I think it would be best for a pianist to gain some performance experience before becoming a full-time teacher. To have more to offer, and after becoming a full time teacher you might not have so much time to perform.

Go for it! I'm sure you can do it.

[lagin]

Hey friend!
I started teaching in grade nine RCM, actually I was just starting it.   I was 19 then.  What I did was teach out of my home on my own piano, so no teacher could say yea or nay.  I also started only teaching beginners, but you could start more advanced because you are working on your ARCT.  Be professional, but also be upfront about your age so they know.  Say, "I would love to teach your daughter.  Here are my qualifications (present grade, theory completed, years of playing, accompanying, ect.).  I want to be upfront about my age, though.  I am 15.  If you are uncomfortable with that I understand."  My clients actually wanted me BECAUSE of my age.  They wanted someone their kids could relate to.  This has been told to me twice now I think. 

As far as getting your teacher's ARCT, you are too young for that the OLD way.  You had to be 18 to receive it.  This is still in effect until Sept. of 2009, but the NEW way is also just now in effect.  The new way, which will replace the old way allows you to have part of your ARCT in grade nine.  It has 3 levels.  Each level has three parts.  A written exam, a practical exam (or a grade 9, 10, or ARCT certificate depending on which level), and a viva voce or teaching part.  You can start with your first level already.  You already have your grade 9, so just do the written and the viva voce part and you are suddenly "qualified" regardless of age.  You can't skip parts though.  So even though you have your grade 10, you still have to do the other 2 parts of the first level.  The viva voce part involves "teaching" the examiner up to grade 2 I think.  You learn some grade 1 and 2 pieces that they can pick from.  And you take a couple beginner books, like Alfred or Bastien and discuss, contrast, and compare them, the pros and cons, and whatnot.  You also bring some samples of ear test books, finger exercises, ect.  Be prepared to answer questions like, how would you teach finger, wrist, and arm staccato to a child x amount of years old?  Which would you teacher first?  These are just suggestions though.  You would really have to get the syllabus that has exactly what kind of questions you need to be able to answer.  Eventually if you want your full teacher's ARCT, you will have to do these 3 levels.  The good news is that you can start now.  They changed it so people like yourself can feel qualified even if you are still working in your own grades.  I haven't done these yet.  Actually, I'm hoping to start and finish my performer's and teacher's ARCT BEFORE sept. 2009 so I can do it the old way because it's less exams that way with only one level. 

Mind you, my one exam will be tougher to prepare for, than for individual levels, but I like the idea of getting it over with in one shot.  You may want to do this, too.  You have JUST JUST enough time after you turn 18 to do it the old way.  It is a couple hundred dollars cheaper as there is only ONE set of exams.  One big written exam, one practical (or just show them your ARCT certificate and you're good to go), and one viva voce.  The viva voce covers beginner to grade 8 the old way.  The new way does beginner to  grade 2.  Then grade 3 through 6 or 7 I think.  And the last set is grade 8ish -10.  I DO NOT like this new way for it is TONS more work.  You have to have a full exam repertoire prepared for each grade at first class (80%) standard.  That would mean in the last level I'd have to have my grade 9 and 10 and even grade 8 I think, FULL repertoire ready at exam standard.  That means a list A B C D for grade 9 with studies, and A B C D E with studies for grade 10 and then ABCD and studies for grade 8.  And you don't know what they will ask for.  Can you imagine having to relearn all the repertoire and keeping it all ready at once at those levels??!!!!!!!!   Take my advice and make sure you get in the OLD way before it is cut off.  I mean, yes, you are perhaps "more" qualified the new way, but REAL qualifications don't come from a piece of paper.   They come from EXPERIENCE.  Which is why after this very long rant, I say yes, start teaching now even if it's just out of your living room.  Explain to your teacher that you wish to take the teacher's ARCT under the OLD syllabus and thus, only have a few years left to do it.  In this syllabus they recommend (as do I, but it is not "manditory"), 2 years of teaching experience.  This is to prepare you to answer intelligently a 5yo who says, "what do those pedal thingies do, and what are they called?"  It prepares you to be ready with answers to questions like, "what are some of the main teaching challenges with such and such an age group." 

Tell your teacher that to be adequately prepared, you would like to follow RCM's advice in their syllabus and get a couple years teaching experience, and could you please try teaching some beginners real pieces at least?  If you express your deadline, and your reasons for wanting to teach now in a professional way, she should take your seriously.  If she tries to sell you on the NEW teacher's ARCT, explain that it takes alot more exams and money, and tell her that true qualification is in EXPERIENCE not only a piece of paper.  Tell her that you will do it the NEW way if the OLD way does not work out for you, but that you would like to try it this way first.  If she doesn't respect that, take your practical from her, but get another teacher to help you work on your teacher's ARCT.  The only thing with the old way is that the 3 exams must be taken within TWO years of each other.  So make sure you time it so that you finish your performer's ARCT withing 2 years of doing the written and viva voce.  I'm doing my written close to the actual date of my performer's exam and the viva voce HAS to be  done after because the syllabus says that if you are being let out of taking the practical part by showing them a performer's ARCT then the viva voce must be done after you already have the certificate.  Or something like that.  I forget exactly what the rules are.  I just remember that I need my performer's first.  IF you want to get your's under the OLD syllabus, get a teacher that is very familiar with the process to go over the syllabus with you.  My teacher and I spent a whole hour just figuring out what order to do the exams in to be "legal."  If you do your performer's first, you are safe though, for sure.

Sorry, that's alot of food for thought!  If anything is unclear, pm me, okay?  I just remember you saying you wanted your teacher's ARCT as well, so I thought I'd give you the heads up on the OLD and NEW ways because you and me are some of the few people that are in the right place at just the right time, so we can pick which we want!  OH!!  And do your level 5 theory as fast as you can too, because I'm almost certain you need it for your teacher's and performer's certificates which they only mail out in JANUARY.  With the time limits closing in on us, you don't want to not finish your ARCT on time just because you did a history 5 the following June which would hold your certificate back till THE NEXT January. 

If you feel overwhelmed with all this, know you are not alone!  I'm pushing the deadline and going as fast as I can too.  I'm pretty sure I'll make it though.  I'll do my grade ten this June (and hopefully pass, but even if I don't I'm still gonna start working on my ARCT stuff, so I'm not behind if I need to wait 6 months to retake the grade 10).  Then I have 2 years to do my performer's ARCT in, which I think will be good.  Even if I fail it at the end of 2 years, I still have time to retake it.  So worse cause senario 2 and a half years, and then I'll so my teacher's written somewhere near the end of that.  Then I have 6 months to do my teacher's viva voce in.  Yuk!  That's the only tight part of the plan.  I'll just have to pass it after 2 years, and then have a full year to do the viva voce in.  So if I do that I'll JUST make it.  You have a head start on me though so you should be fine.  The only thing that could mess you up is your level 5 theory, so I'd do that ASAP so it's out of your hair!  JMO though.

I'm gonna stop typing now cause it's taken me almost an hour to do all this in, wow!
Bye Eliza!

[kriskicksass]

Go to your local music shop and ask if they need another piano teacher. That's what I did. I'm 17, btw.

[lostinidlewonder]

I think if you want to teach you should teach so long you accept that how you teach now will seem terrible in years to come. If I recall my very first piano lesson I gave, I laugh at how ridiculous I was. But I knew that I didn't know how to teach because of lack of experience actually teaching music. I knew how to play the instrument myself but teaching it? Did I really understand the needs of the students I taught? Did I really understand the huge variation of problems that face different people when playing the piano? The simple answer was NO and there are no books describing how to teach music, even with a college degree in music teaching you still have no idea how to teach until you actually have had years of teaching experience.

So teach beginners, appreciate your first students very much since they are teaching you a lot more than you are teaching them. If you love music and you have a personal interest in peoples personal development in music, then go ahead and teach! So long you stick to it and always develop your teaching skills, don't be clinical doing things out of a book, feel your way through teaching, what works for you and your student. Find out ways to break through peoples individual challenges at the keyboard mentally and physically.

[bon_bear]

  Thanks all to your most wonderful advices and comments/suggestions...
I'm currently trying to not think about it so there wouldn't be too much trouble on my mind...lol I'm so...messed up now...I don't noe if i should start teaching at this age anymore...  there's so much on my mind...><

It's been 3 weeks..
I'm currently looking for a theory teacher..and the ones I picked...my piano teacher/friends says they're bad...so...? What are the qualities in a IDEAL theory teacher that I should look out for...?!? *sigh*

Elizabear~

[lagin]

Hi, I learned under a theory teacher for a while that my teacher said was 'THE BEST.'  In fact, he is on his way to becoming a famous composer.  His works are performed in Carnagie hall, where he directs them .  But FOR ME he was not a good theory teacher.  I felt like I never understood what I was doing.  I'd go into exams having no clue as to whether I'd pass or fail because I had no clue what I was suppost to know.  I did okay on them, none the less, but still felt rather in the dark .  So I switched to a theory teacher who is only nine years older than me actually.  And I LOVE HER!  After just a couple months with her, I understood EVERYTHING!  My first teacher, being a wonderful composer, didn't have any "rules" in composing (which is what harmony basically is).  He didn't want to cramp musical style.  But I simply was not gifted in composing and was getting lost in the "freedom" he gave.  My present teacher basically said, "Here are the rules," right from the first lesson.  "A skip of over a third is too much for an inner voice in four part harmony.  Cadences always end with tonic in soprano, ect."  She told me that when I'm done with the exams I can do whatever I please, but for now, let's just give those examiners what will keep them quiet and happy!  So really, I would recommend a trial lesson with each one.  Or even a few lessons.  See which teacher you "click" with.  For someone more musically inclined in the composition department, my first teacher would have been great!  Oh, and look at their student's exam mark histories if you can.  For example, do you know anyone that has done exams with the teachers?  Did they get in the 70's or 80's?  That can tell alot about a teacher, but not all.  It depends on your learning style.  My advice, is just try some different ones out.  Summer is a great time to do this because they aren't as busy.

[juliax]

What are the qualities in a IDEAL theory teacher that I should look out for...?!? *sigh*

Elizabear~

The ideal qualities you want in ANY teacher is patience and understanding.  Your teacher should be focused on you and only you during your lesson, and should be non-judgemental in her criticism.  That last part can be a little difficult because, as a student, you may be more sensative to criticism than you realize, but this is why it's important to have a teacher who will not let you dwell on your mistakes.  The fact is, no matter how qualified or how good someone is at anything (not just piano) that doesn't mean they will be a good teacher. 
Good luck!

[prettypianoplaying]

[e60m5]

Agree with pretty - I don't think you have anything to lose in giving it a shot; conversely, you may potentially have quite a lot to gain. I've often thought about teaching myself; however, I've never had the time in my schedule (it's a very time consuming activity, especially if you remain committed and dedicated to it, as any piano teacher should be) to take it up seriously beyond the few occassional informal "lessons". Law school isn't helping in that regard, either. But teaching can be one of the most rewarding experiences in music, and is a two-way exchange - your own pianism and abilities will benefit from teaching others, because teaching forces you to think and generate ideas in response to problems and questions, which will be as valid for your own playing as for the playing of others. It can be a very positive experience, all in all. So why not give it a go, and if it doesn't work out, you could stop then; but there's no need to stop before you've even tried.

[emmdoubleew]

Elizabear,

Seriously, from all the way over here I can tell you are not quite ready to handle students. First of all, the way you type show you don't have the maturity to demonstrate your intelligence and responsability. Seriously, "It's not fair!!" ? That sounds like my little cousin. You've been whining and complaining instead of coming up with reasonable alternatives and making decisions with your teacher. You have to start somewhere; you can't expect to immediatly become a teacher by poopooing your way up.

I'm all for making dreams come true. The keyword here is make, because they are not coming true on their own. Take the first step, consider what your teacher says. Piano teaching is going to be hard. Be prepared to work.

Best of luck.

[elisianna]

I have to agree with the above poster.  Age doesn't seem to be the issue as much as maturity, I mean, I know of people who started teaching at 15 or 16, but they are very mature.  Your teacher knows you a lot better than any of us do I'm guessing, and maybe he/she just thinks you aren't mature enough, it doesn't only have to do with whether you've finished your grade 10 or not.  I know people who started teaching right after they finished their grade 8, because that's when you can officially start teaching.  I've also known some pretty amazing teachers that are just working on their grade 10.

Of course, you can always try teaching on your own, see how it goes.  Spread the word that you are able to teach piano and see how many parents want to get you to teach their kids.  Maybe if you've got a crazy mom who likes to brag about you anyone with small children can let them know that you can teach.  See how things go, and let your teacher know.

[saturation]

I think you should go for it, but with your teachers blessing.

Consider, that if you are not ready for it or you don't cover the business end professionally, you'll gain a reputation for not being a good teacher and thus, you'll have to undue this rep and start all over again.

With your teacher as mentor, you already have the benefit of her reputation to attract students that she want to unload on you, and for her to teach you the ropes.  That's a great opportunity, to have an apprenticeship as a teacher with an established teacher.

Hey!~
I've always wanted to teach piano wen i was little...and recently, I think I'm ready to start teaching some basic stuff?...but just a few weeks ago, my piano teacher told me to start teaching AFTER i finish ARCT. She said I could be her assistant...or teach Ear-training AFTER I pass...I was like:

I felt really really bad cuz I have confidence I'm capable of doing it...but then i don't knoe how to begin and I want her to start me...I've known her for almost 10 years...and i feel like she's still treating me as I'm 5 (well not literally but...you know?) ...although, I tried sounding more MATURE...cuz i thought that was the problem...but i still couldn't gain confidence in her for me. AND I FREAKIN WANNA TEACH!! lol...
I got kind of jealous too cuz i saw other ppl teaching little kids Ear-training and Theory and one of them didn't even finish their grade 10 yet...but they are 19 years old...I felt absolutely horrible cuz now i think it's my age that's in the way...>< *sniff* Yes. I'm 15 but...>< do you guys/gals think that's the reason at all?

And How do i begin? and maybe also prove to her that I AM capable of teaching...

Right now, i feel like she's blocking my dream from happening LOL...

Elizabear *sigh*