The "Typical" studio -- how did it evolve/what purpose does it serve ?

[m1469]

Lately I have been thinking about what my idea of a "typical," private piano studio is (though there is a lot of crossover into Institutions, too) ; meeting each individual for half an hour a week -- along with that, there is a typical idea of "method books" that have come as well.  I think the latter has come about as a means to keep students more or less "on track" during the rest of the time that the student is NOT in lesson (which is everything except for half an hour a week).   I think that when most people think of piano teachers and the studios they maintain, what I have described is, more or less, what they think of. 

I am curious... how did this format ever evolve ?  How did this become the norm ? 

[pianistimo]

my studio evolved from a piano in the livingroom - to deciding it was too much trouble to clean the house top to bottom everytime i had a piano lessons and going to other people's livingrooms.  this was back in california.  my studio was wherever i was.  then, we rented a home and it was the first time i had a room to myself. unfortunately, there was little to no air conditioning and so we used a fan.  my music was all over the place - but i could generally find what i was looking for by turning off the lights and just guessing the approximate location.

finally, only 5-6 years ago we purchased a home with a room near the entry - (so i don't have to clean the entire house).  i plan to put double doors on it.  i like this room because people can see in the windows at the front - just in case they want to check on their kids.  and, probably windows in the doors of the studio, too.  it's just a protective measure for both of us (student/teacher).  i mean - if i get a student who starts strangling me or something - i can wave out the window, too.  the thing is - i recently found out that school tax is like $400. for self-employed piano teachers - so i'm not teaching right now.  probably will teach someday in a music school.

a studio provides a place to keep things organized, imo.  it's not just a luxury - it's a necessity.  for the first time in ages - i have a place for my music.  and, believe it or not - have an organ AND a piano in the room.  it's lovely.  i thank my husband for being generous because he really needs an office, too.  his is a little corner upstairs.  someday i'll give him back some things he wants.  like a bigger office-space in the basement.  completely finished.