Teaching Music

[vincentl]

I'm thinking of making money in music, but I don't have credentials like a degree in music. Is it possible to still teach little kids and earn money? I have adequate knowledge in music theory, but is that enough?

I have been working part-time as a writer, but would like to devote all my time in music and keep writing as a hobby instead. I don't really have an idea on how to teach music though, because of the fact that I didn't have a teacher. I don't really have experience to.. Sort of imitate a method or something. Advice would be greatly appreciated, sorry for posting things like this here.

[sucom]

Hi Vincent
I admire your desire to teach the piano but when you say that you don’t have a teacher, do you mean you’ve NEVER had a teacher?  If not, I’m wondering, is teaching the piano to young children really such a good idea?  The fact that you have no experience of teaching is not so bad.  After all, all teachers have to start teaching with no experience; teaching is how they gain experience, but if you have never had lessons yourself, you will pretty much be starting with no point of reference whatsoever.

There is a misconception that beginners, old or young, don’t need a good teacher to start off with. Far too often people believe that a ‘not so good’ teacher is fine for the absolute beginner, when in fact, the opposite is true.  All beginners of any age need a good teacher right from the outset to ensure they learn correctly and to ensure they have the opportunity to develop their full potential, whatever that may be. 

When someone puts their trust in you to teach them, that is, a student who trusts that you will have the ability to develop their full potential, you have to make sure that you have all the necessary skills to deserve that trust.   If you believe you deserve that trust, then go for it, but it wouldn’t do any harm to discover your own level first, perhaps by attending lessons for a short time to discover if you have the skills required.

I honestly don’t believe it is possible to copy or imitate another teacher unless you already have the necessary skills in piano playing.  We can indeed learn from other teachers – the art of teaching is a skill in itself in addition to playing the piano – but it is first necessary to ensure you already have the piano playing skills firmly developed before considering trying to teach them.

You said that you have adequate skills in music theory – that’s fine if you are teaching music theory.  However, if you want to teach the piano, you must also have adequate skills in piano playing.  This could be difficult for you to judge if you have never attended lessons yourself.   
I’m sorry if I’m assuming wrongly that you have NEVER had lessons.  If you truly believe you can make a good job of teaching, then go ahead and do it.  But if you honestly and truly don’t believe that, and wish to do it only for the money, then I would suggest rethinking the idea, if only for the simple reason that it is only fair to ensure that you deserve the trust a student will put in your ability to teach them.

[vincentl]

Thank you for your reply!

I'm not really planning on teaching just to earn money, I just prefer it though. Actually, I really do want to teach other people music, especially because my family and friends do not know much music from the great masters. I just feel like they're missing out on something wonderful, although I do respect their music choice. But if I am able to teach them then I would prefer to make teaching music my job, so I can stay focused more on music as well.

Thanks for the advice, I will try teaching my girlfriend's siblings first, since they are enthusiastic in learning musical instruments. If all goes well, I'll then venture into teaching other people I am not  too familiar with. Wish me luck!

[cjp_piano]

Teaching little kids is actually much more difficult. I would start with teaching students that already know something about music/piano. It's VERY difficult to teach beginners!

[keypeg]

Teaching little kids is actually much more difficult. I would start with teaching students that already know something about music/piano. It's VERY difficult to teach beginners!

I am relieved to read this.  Could beginner of any age be included in that?   In the beginning the foundations are formed that everything else grows out of.  An intermediate student already has those foundations so you have something good to build on (if decently taught).

[quantum]

I'm thinking of making money in music, but I don't have credentials like a degree in music. Is it possible to still teach little kids and earn money? I have adequate knowledge in music theory, but is that enough?

When you say you wish to teach other people music, can you be more specific?  There are subdiciplines to teaching music, and knowledge in one does not necessarily mean knowledge in the other.

You say you have knowledge in music theory.  Do you wish to teach theory?  You say you are a writer - writing and music theory or musicology can go well together.  Or would you like to teaching something more performance oriented, such as playing the piano?  Teaching an instrument requires intimate knowledge of how to use the instrument and the ability to teach others the physical skill set specific to that instrument.  Would you prefer something more general where you can get into a bit of everything, like music appreciation?  There are also programs developed for very young kids that introduce them to the basic concepts of music.  Kids take these programs as a precursor to the formal study of an instrument at a later age.  Would you like to enter the public school system and teach music in it?  Keep in mind this generally requires a B.Ed. degree. 

There is a lot to think about if one wishes to pursue music teaching as a career.