I've been asked to start teaching again

[blu217]

I have a... situation.

I walked into my voice lesson on Monday, and my teacher informed me she had 4 new piano students all lined up for me, I could teach them on Saturdays and I should consider charging between $45 -$60 for the half-hour to hour-long sessions. She was really pushing me to do this.

Er… I don’t teach piano anymore—but I have been thinking of getting back to it. I could use some advice from the pros on the board…

I am an out-of-practice, classically trained pianist with a performance undergrad degree. I taught for about a year right after graduating, between 94-95. My students flourished (to my surprise, as I always felt I didn’t entirely know what I was doing). Then I elected to change careers instead of getting my master's as originally planned. I can't say I play much anymore, tho I can still play through my old rep and certainly do noodle around from time to time. But of course disuse is evident, and years spent outside the pianist's realm have rendered me rusty with terminology, history... a lot of the basics. I don't usually speak music as I once did.

When people find out about my classical background I am inevitably asked if I teach, why I stopped and would I pleeeeeeeeeease start again because apparently good piano teachers are darn near impossible to find. I’m not set up to teach, but I could be. I’ve never taught on my own; I worked for a community arts school. I admit I was good at it and I am trying to recall my old teaching philosophies, approaches, the mindset. I was planning to start taking piano lessons again myself, as I have been toying with the idea of going back to get that master’s degree.

I am sure I’d be fine teaching a couple of beginning students for now, but I worry that I need some adequate prep time myself to comfortably return to the field. I am looking thru the forum for info on current teaching method books; I used Alfred then but someone recommend FJH. I’m a little nervous about doing this and am thinking a couple of months off to brush up on my technique and get the teaching basics down will be good. I’ve also got to get my old piano tuned!

Oh—and I have a 145lb house dog and a cat. How do you work around these things (animal-phobic or allergic students) when you teach out of the home? I was not prepared for this, but I’m trying to become so.

Any advice or input is appreciated…

Blu

[Bob]

I you want to piano, then do it.  If not, then don't.  Any teaching you do can transfer pretty well from one area to another.  It's not all instrument specific.

You could prepare less and then charge less.  Or charge more and hope they don't want lessons then.  Add in the tuning fee if you wouldn't have had it tuned otherwise.

You'll probably remember a lot after you start doing it.

Could be a good source of additional income, esp if you have people begging for lessons all the time.  Although if you don't really want to teach piano, have a studio develop isn't the greatest idea.  You have the choice to limit the number of students you take.

Students who have allergies can't come over for lessons.  Just ask them.  Otherwise lock them up or let them roam if they don't bother the students.