How to start teaching?

[franz_]

Hi, I'm a young pianist who would like to start teaching. It seems to me a nice experience and of course I will earn some money. Now, I have a few questions:
How do you really start, how to get your first pupil? Do you put it on the internet, do you make flyers,... ?
How many do you ask for a lesson?
Some others things that would be usefull to know?

[hyrst]

Hi,
Depending on how quickly you want to set yourself up, just use whatever free advertising you can find.  THere are some sites on the internet for teacher registration - some are expensive but some are free.  Do a search.  However, I have not found my listings to be my biggest drawer.

Any local notice boards are a big advantage.  That's how I got my start.  I now have a registered business with a sign outside my house - and that is my biggest source of inquiries.  I also set up a web site and registered with local directories on a bidding system - not too expensive, as I don't get a lot of traffic from local directories.  However, I feel that my name is 'out there' - and I have a full schedule. 

Make the most of any free advertising you can find.

The most important advice I can give is to work out where you would like to be - as far as policy, price and scheduling - in a couple of years and function as if you are already at that place.  Find out what teachers around you are charging - and charge the same, even if you don't feel as experienced or qualified.  (You could start a fraction lower than other teachers, but only very slightly - so when you feel more confident, it seems natural to rise your price a dollar or so, rather than beign a big jump.) 

I had read all this stuff, but lacked the confidence when I set up.  I was also in an urgent financial position and felt I had to get students quickly.  I have learnt the hard way.  I have students paying less than half of my new students and I am nervous to increase their fees to my standard.  It is a big drain on the income - and thus on the motivation. 

Put all your systems in place as early as possible.  Write out policies, even if just for your own record.  Find out about local and government duties - taxes and stuff.  Set up a record system for finances from the start.  (Keep all your paperwork.)  Treat everything like an established business, so you don't have to reactively create systems as you go along.

Work out a script (or at lest ideas) and role play how you are going to talk to inquirers:  What do you teach?  Do you offer discounts? What approaches do you use?  Do you use a method and why?  Do you teach kids who have trouble learning?  Do you teach gifted kids?  What type of instrument do they need if they aren't sure they want to commit?  How old do you take your youngest student?  Is 5 too soon to start?  Am I too old to start?  How many students do you have?  What is your experience? How long have you been teaching?  What is your opinion on playing by ear?  If there are two students, will you offer a discount? etc...  Think of all the possible questions and come up with an answer.  If you are unsure about answering questions without warning, set up an effective message bank (with a professional sounding message) and return your inquiries rather than answering the phone.

Good luck,
Annah

[m1469]

Everything hyrst said !  Great post, hyrst .


m1469

[quantum]

This website is an excellent source of information.  It is well worth your time to read all the articles.

https://www.serve.com/marbeth/business.html

[penguinlover]

Great posts!  I find it a good idea to know those who work in the music stores.  They can give references.  Meet the music teachers at the local schools.  Put out flyers on doors in your neighborhood.  Put up notices in laundrymats, grocery stores, music stores, anywhere there are people.  The more people that know about you, the more students you'll have.  I love the idea of putting a sign outside your home.  I hadn't thought of that.

Another bit of advice, it's already been said, but I had to learn the hard way too.  Get the business side taken care of at the very beginning.  Start out with it.  Once you get going, it's hard to change your policies.  At least it is harder to change them than if you had started out with them in the first place.

Good luck, and have fun!

[ilikepie]

I'd have to say teaching relatives or friends is usually how it starts, of course you have to strike a deal with the parents first.

[pianistimo]

and don't forget record keeping.  even if you start with one student - on  the first lesson make sure to get all their personal information - why they want lessons - what they want to learn - and also - give them a practice chart to keep track of the amount of time they spend each day practicing.  (i used to break it up incrementally for them).

the reason i get:
name
age
birthday
etc.  is that when you type up recitals or want to contact them - you don't have to call again.  also, when it's their birthday - you can make it a special thing.

phone number is also important!
e-mail address
and DATE OF FIRST LESSON.  i can't tell you how important that is - because i guessed on a few of my students before i started keeping records accurately.  this really helps a students know how long they've been playing and
REPERTOIRE LIST! 

have them list what they played before they came to you.  if it is nothing - then that's easy.  if it is more extensive - have them write down as much as they can remember.  as a teacher - you are helping them get organized.  i've learned that means YOU have to be organized. 

once - with some really lovely bro's that took lessons (i think korean) i gave them a book bag to hold their music and pencils for an end of the year gift.  i spent more on them because i thought that they needed to know how it felt to 'be professional' about carrying their books around and also suggesting to laminate covers that can get a bit - wierd.

there is a special paper you can get to cover books.  not sure of the internet sites to get it - but it comes in handy to have these clear plastic covers on pretty  much everything.  especially if your music accidentally gets wet on the cover.

metronomes - imo, are important starts to rhythm.

and of course, music dictionaries.

btw, kids under the age of 6 or 7 depend on those stickers.  don't scrimp. 

[pianistimo]

one thing i wish i had done right from the start is to make my small book/cd collection a library that they could 'check out' music - or books and return them when possible.  i think that listening and reading is almost as important as the lesson and a good habit to just enjoy.

**about the advertising - i'd make it the least expensive possible.  make up a flyer on your computer with your name and number a thousand times at the bottom.  put it in the library, the store, the schools, campuses, churches, and homeschool groups nearby.  people seem to like casual just as much as fancy - and don't care.  spend your money on a good record keeping book - and keep track of MILEAGE.  it used to be deductible.  i think it still is.  some students - such as those on a campus would need you to drive to them.  there are pianos available at some campus locations - and students seem to be the ones with time and interest to practice.

under three students - take cash.  over three - insist on check.  you cannot really keep decent records with cash everywhere.  it is just easier to keep track of who  paid what.  usually mom's pay check anyways.  write it down in your record book of who paid what - when before cashing!

[juliax]

Hi, I'm a young pianist who would like to start teaching. It seems to me a nice experience and of course I will earn some money. Now, I have a few questions:
How do you really start, how to get your first pupil? Do you put it on the internet, do you make flyers,... ?
How many do you ask for a lesson?
Some others things that would be usefull to know?

First off, do you have any teaching experience what so ever?  If not, I highly suggest not trying to represent yourself at the beginning.  Your reputation will follow you, and it's better to make lamen's mistakes at a studio where someone with experience can defend your name. 

If you have seriously never taught a piano lesson before, I would really be concerned if you were charging any more than $10/hr.  You are basically using your students to train, and mistakes will be made.  I started out at $15/hr at a studio where I was very well trained, and got to sit in on lessons with very experienced teachers on my breaks.  Instead of doing it on my own, and having 10 students by the first year, I went through a school and had 40. 
I had used almost every method you can think of by my 2nd year of teaching, and by my 3rd I was up to 55 students (through the studio of course).  A lot of people think that just because they can do something they can teach it, too.  You need to work and find your own method so that you can offer something the average pianist can not.  Being patient, and knowing what to say to get the results you want is an art in itself.  It's not as easy as people will lead you to believe.

[pianistimo]

this is very true.  although, many beginners cannot find an 'adequate' teacher in any case because many will not take absolute beginners let alone 6-10 year olds.  so, in a sense - we are playing with the most formable minds with utter disregard as to the outcomes, at times. 

but, the good thing is - they can compensate later.  i tend to think that quality is best, though, too - and always attempted to ask my teacher about things i was unsure about.  usually - if you are taking lessons yourself - you have a 'back up.'  and, also a referral to a better teacher later.  i never assumed i would take a student on for more time than i thought would be as far as i could take them.  passing a student on is always a privilege and never a bad thing.  it never hurts a person's name to give the best you can and not be dishonest about telling them when they are ready for someone else.

some parents do not want to pay large sums of money for  piano lessons because they believe that they are not sure the student will 'like' the piano.  for these types of students - you are in the business of introducing them to the piano and giving them a good foundation for playing and practicing.  but, for really really serious students - i'd hand them off right off to the best teacher i could find for them.  i don't consider myself above my teachers and for very gifted and talented young musicians - i think they deserve the best start possible.  even encouraging the parents to spend the little bit of extra money. 

btw, i have a bachelor's degree and am halfway through a master's - but i have become more aware of the many facets of teaching and agree that it is not the same as performing by any means!  you have to really be organized and be able to be of assistance in answering many questions precisely and accurately. 

[jpianoflorida]

First off, do you have any teaching experience what so ever?  If not, I highly suggest not trying to represent yourself at the beginning.  Your reputation will follow you, and it's better to make lamen's mistakes at a studio where someone with experience can defend your name. 

If you have seriously never taught a piano lesson before, I would really be concerned if you were charging any more than $10/hr.  You are basically using your students to train, and mistakes will be made.  I started out at $15/hr at a studio where I was very well trained, and got to sit in on lessons with very experienced teachers on my breaks.  Instead of doing it on my own, and having 10 students by the first year, I went through a school and had 40. 
I had used almost every method you can think of by my 2nd year of teaching, and by my 3rd I was up to 55 students (through the studio of course).  A lot of people think that just because they can do something they can teach it, too.  You need to work and find your own method so that you can offer something the average pianist can not.  Being patient, and knowing what to say to get the results you want is an art in itself.  It's not as easy as people will lead you to believe.

you make very good points.....but i think $10 per hour is a little too cheap..maybe $10 per half hour and that is still very low.