Beginning to teach

[Jacey1973]

Hi, I have just discovered this forum and i am very excited because i didn't know anything like this existed!

Anyway, i have nearly finished my music degree at Cardiff Uni (in June) and as i am particualry interested in performing/performance practise i would like to get some experience as a piano teacher in my year out (or possible 2 years out) next year. But the question is...where do i start?

I've never taught before so i really could do with some advice. Is there a special course or qualification you need to teach - or do you have to register or something? I thought about teaching as a piano teacher in schools, if anything was available. But how do i go about it?

I wondered if anyone could share their experiences when they started out as a piano teacher?

[kilini]

Read Chang's book on piano technique--https://members.aol.com/cc88m/PianoBook.html and avoid the mistakes my teacher regularly makes. Your students would be thankful.

[abell88]

Avoid over-explaining...the most powerful words in a piano teacher's vocabulary are, "Like this."

Modified to add: But be very thorough and specific in your practice instructions (which should be written down.)

Also, make sure you've thought about the non-musical stuff (your studio policy re: payment, missed lessons, etc.) and that you communicate it in writing to your students.

Alice

[ptmidwest]

Excellent advice, Abell88!

[Abstract Harmony]

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,587.msg14335.html#msg14335
(How to teach a 5-year old to read music – Candida Tobin)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1884.msg14708.html#msg14708
(Motivating children – joining the child’s model and using other children’s accomplishments to motivate)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2047.msg16848.html#msg16848
(what to do with children crying)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2077.msg17179.html#msg17179
(How to become a teacher)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2115.msg17860.html#msg17860
(advantages of a teacher – comparison with typing)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2125.msg17864.html#msg17864
(Age limitations – comments on Barenboins’s there are only bad teachers)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2192.msg18542.html#msg18542
(methods for very young students – Candida website)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2246.msg19041.html#msg19041
(Young teachers – why young/bad teachers are not a problem – When the student is ready the right teacher will appear)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2260.msg19270.html#msg19270
(Dear Bernhard thread – Pieces leading up to the revolutionary)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2032.msg19339.html#msg19339
(How to become a piano teacher – good advice from minsmusic – the pitfall s as well as the requirements)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2273.msg19432.html#msg19432
(what to do when a student has not practised)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2375.msg20516.html#msg20516
(Repertory for advanced students – Beethoven sonatas, WTC and Chopin etudes – the many levels of superior music and some thoughts on performance).
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2450.msg21250.html#msg21250
(the four levels of teaching: Toddler, beginner, intermediate and advanced)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2500.msg21577.html#msg21577
(Teaching adults)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2192.msg21823.html#msg21823
(How to teach very young students – the historical method, the pragmatical  x logical method and total exposure as the best way for under-5s)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2600.msg22423.html#msg22423
(Encouragement – the impossibility of reaching goals and therefore the importance of setting goals high. Teaching by criticism: Slydini example)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2749.msg23873.html#msg23873
(self-teaching – the pitfalls. Analogy of frying an egg - principles of fingering)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2863.msg25138.html#msg25138
(Value of doing ABRSM exams)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2907.msg25589.html#msg25589
(how to teach chords to young children)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2906.msg25591.html#msg25591
(How to organise a lesson syllabus – analogy with cooking)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2970.msg25991.html#msg25991
(Areas of study for a complete music syllabus – books for each area)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2979.msg26080.html#msg26080
(Methods)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2994.msg26162.html#msg26162
(Teaching little brats – Bernhard’s recorder rules)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2972.msg26178.html#msg26178
(advantages and disadvantages of teaching by rote – good for the teacher)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3014.msg26427.html#msg26427
(How to deal with bad students – using the student for experiments)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3066.msg26951.html#msg26951
(Teaching or playing - learning with the student)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3208.msg30129.html#msg30129
(strict x lax teachers – fake anger, but never feel it)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3442.msg30359.html#msg30359
(How to choose your next piece – impossible/easy pieces)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3466.msg30666.html#msg30666
(what is a real teacher and the definition of a good communicator)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3524.msg32403.html#msg32403
(adults learn faster than children)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3783.msg34200.html#msg34200
(how to teach super motivated students)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,143.msg35967.html#msg35967
(differences in learning/teaching children and adults)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3891.msg35968.html#msg35968
(Types of students. Good and bad attitudes displayed by students)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4020.msg36635.html#msg36635
(What to teach a 4-year old in his first lesson)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4205.msg38841.html#msg38841
(grades and exams)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4269.msg39706.html#msg39706
(Helping a student get rid of bad habits)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4336.msg40366.html#msg40366
(handling transfer students – the 3 most important areas in piano teaching)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4321.msg40373.html#msg40373
(why do you teach? – teaching methods –pragmatical theory of memory)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4405.msg40979.html#msg40979
(method books)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4417.msg41108.html#msg41108
(scolding students – students from hell, their attitudes and appropriate responses – start from the idea that student is put on your path for your benefit, not his – joining the model of the student – using their energy rather than yours – analogy to martial arts – use students from hell to learn this art – logic x psychology x philosophy – example of learning piece backwards- steve wonder is god silogism – analogy with reading)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4269.msg41284.html#msg41284
(teaching a child with bad habits – make sure that the deal is good – aim is not for the student to get better, but for the teacher to get better – use pieces the student love – outlining x simplification – how small hands can cope with octaves – fingering)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4002.msg46084.html#msg46084
(m1469 describes the philosophy of a Russian teacher – the pragmatic method and doing wrist locks on students)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5311.msg50997.html#msg50997
(crash courses)
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5569.msg53917.html#msg53917
(when are you ready to be without a teacher – roles of the teacher)

[krissywissy]

HI
I'm a young teacher myself and I found it most beneficial to look at and become familiar with all sorts of methods because then you learn different things that work for different kids(if one thing doesn't work then maybe this one will work).  Also, you want to enjoy the teaching experience.  Naturally all of the methods are trying to teach, basically, the same thing but children all learn differently. 

Definitely type out a policy sheet because it looks professional and clarifies things--for you and the parent.

To get students, I put fliers all over the place--Gyms, schools, shopping areas.  Newspaper ad., music stores.

I highly suggest charging gas money if you are going to their house--because going out to teach really does take up a lot of time.

As for studio space, sometimes, you can talk to a local church about renting space and offering lessons to the kids in thier congregation. 

Good luck!  It's a lot of fun!