How to start teaching before attending college

[argerich_smitten]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if I could have some help with this topic.  I am currently 16 years old, and I feel that it is time for me to start taking some students.  I'm barely acceptably rounded (my repertoire is pretty narrow; very heavy leaning towards romantic pieces), but I have a well taught and at least reasonably developed technique, (mostly from practicing craploads of Listz, now starting the meticulous process of putting finishing touches on the B-minor sonata).  

Anyway, I was wondering how one in my situation might go about this.  I will be attending college in the fall (not for music), and a part-time job such as this would be a dream.  

[argerich_smitten]

I am greatly sorry to Mr. liszt for spelling his name wrong.  I hope i'm not struck down by a lightning bolt or something...

[Swan]

Everything you could possibly need to know is here

https://pianoeducation.org/

Just click on the Teaching Studio, and you'll have access to lots of different articles all about how to run a piano teaching studio, how to get students, what resources to use with them.  

Yes, there is a lot of reading, but it will give you plenty of food for thought and a bit of a foundation for dealing with the business side of things, and with people.

I was wondering how one in my situation might go about this

What exact information are you after Argerich?  How to advertise, how to teach? What books to use? How to schedule?  Where to teach? How much to charge?  

There's heaps to consider.  Anyway, take a look at that site, and it might give you more specific questions.

[ivoryplayer4him]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if I could have some help with this topic.  I am currently 16 years old, and I feel that it is time for me to start taking some students.  I'm barely acceptably rounded (my repertoire is pretty narrow; very heavy leaning towards romantic pieces), but I have a well taught and at least reasonably developed technique, (mostly from practicing craploads of Listz, now starting the meticulous process of putting finishing touches on the B-minor sonata).  

Anyway, I was wondering how one in my situation might go about this.  I will be attending college in the fall (not for music), and a part-time job such as this would be a dream.  

Here's some advice.  I'm 17 years old and i'm about to turn 18 and i have 4 piano students, and i am currently gaining more.  When you are 16, its going to be kindof hard to get students unless you are known for your piano talent.  Thats how i got started.  Prior to being 17, i playedx in a church for 3 years within my community, so i had people asking me all the time to give them lessons.  Then i went to the "big" town next to me and started playing for another church (quite recently actually) and i gained more attention.  Make yourself noticed so that when these people call you and ask how old you are, you dont have to feel uncomfortable about saying "i'm 16 years old".  At least be able to say "i'm sixteen years of age i have so many years of experiance with the piano, and here is the name of my piano teachers"  It helps, trust me.  You may even do something else i did.  Give them a 6 week trail basis, tell them that if at the end of this period they are unhappy with you, then they should feel no obligation to continue lessons.  If you are a good teacher and truely have a gift not only for playing the piano but also for teaching, then you will not have to experiance this.  Be sure that you let your students or their parents know that you want payment in advance.  Decide whether or not you will charge for cancellations.  Decide how long you want to carry the lesson, and tell them HOW you charge.  Me personally, since i am so young, i keep all of that pretty open.  each person who calls me i tell them that i take a minimum of 7.50 per lesson.  No time limits, just per lesson.  everyone of them have paid me 10.00 per lesson of their own free will.  just something for you to think about.  I also DONT charge for cancellation, though i'm thinking about changing that.  Anyway i hope something i said helped, if not then i'm sorry for the waste of your time

p.s -  let me also say something else.  There is a big possibility that many people will leave comments on here telling you not to teach because you are too young.  please disregard them.  If you believe in your heart that you are meant to teach and if you love teaching and playing the piano equally, then nothing should stop you.  If your first student turns out to be more then you can handle, STUDY!  learn from your mistakes.  you WILL get better as time and experiance progress!

[kulahola]

Personally I would nt have liked to be taught by a non educated child.

Piano teaching requires lot of repertoire and experience. Wait at least 4 years but then start teaching right away as good teachers are also the ones who started to teach early in their performing life.

[bizgirl]

I began teaching when I was 15 and never had anyone look down on me because of my age.  I think it actually helps because they are more curious about your qualifications.  Just tell them you have taken lessons for X number of years and the qualifications of your teacher.  You may also want to invite the prospective students and parents to hear you perform.  Don't worry about age, I actually had students switch to me because their adult teachers did not communicate well with them.  I do think you should work on expanding your repetoire and definitely research a lot of piano methods and pieces.  Play through the music as if you know nothing about it so you know how to teach it.  When I started I only had beginners.  This is a good idea because you can teach them in a way you are comfortable with (as long as it also works with their learning style).  When you get transfer students you have to figure out where they are and do a lot of juggling with what they have done and try to work them into your system.  However, there are benefits to getting students who already know the basics of music (note values, counting, dynamic markings, etc.) you can be focusing on your technique in teaching music  and musicality.  Obviously, learning to teach theory is important too, but it's nice to have a student who already knows the routine of piano lessons.

[ahmedito]

Theres nothing wrong with being young and teaching. Sometimes younger people do a MUCH MUCH better job with children and preteens.

The important thing in my opinion is that you have good solid bases on which to build your lessons (aka, a good teacher yourself), patience, and an experienced profesional pianist to ask for advice the first few months.