If you have a well-written studio policy, then students who miss their fair share of lessons may not be a big concern for you. After all, it’s 30 minutes of paid time for you to tidy the studio, sneak some practice time, and change over the laundry, right? However, students who miss lots of piano lessons actually pose a risk to your studio that is bigger than you may think. Do you have a Missy Miss-a-lot at your studio? If you do, you’ll need to read on.
Piano Students Who Are Often Absent
There are the obvious reasons why piano students who miss many lessons are not the ideal kind of student (paid housecleaning time aside!). Of course their progress will be slow and their enthusiasm will wane, but there are other less obvious reasons why these students need our attention.
1) Missy Miss-a-lot is not great advertising: The problem with Missy is that while she doesn’t attend often attend lessons, you can bet she will attend your recitals, play for friends and family, and insist on performing at her school talent show wearing your studio’s logo on her t-shirt (shudder!). Her lack of lesson time (and therefore lack of skill) doesn’t make her the ideal “poster child” for your studio.
2) Missy Miss-a-lot’s parents = not so warm and fuzzy Regardless of being compliant with your piano studio policy, all parents dislike paying for lessons they miss. Even if Missy’s parents seem nonchalant about the dollars they’ve dumped down the drain… deep inside a seed of resentment is growing. You’ll lose Missy sooner or later, and your hard work and effort will be for naught.
3) Missy Miss-a-lot is occupying valuable real estate: If you haven’t had the heart to give her the heave-ho (and if so, you’re just like me!) then Missy is occupying some valuable real estate in your studio schedule. Her (often unused) timeslot is not only taken up by a fairly unproductive student, but you are also missing out on word-of-mouth advertising that you could be gaining from a committed and happy student.
So What Are You To Do?
Firstly, I am a big advocate of “piano lessons for all” meaning that my first bit of advice is to try, try, and try again before even thinking of giving Missy the boot. The unfortunate truth behind Missy Miss-a-lot is that none of it is her fault! I hate to think of a piano student being denied piano lessons simply because she herself can’t get to the lessons. Try the following strategies to turn Missy Miss-a-lot into Missy Comes-a-lot:
1) Give Missy a reason to remember her lessons: Missy Miss-a-lot most likely comes from a family who is fairly unscheduled and noncommittal. However, if Missy is the “squeaky wheel” at home then piano lessons may just be remembered. If your piano lessons are the highlight of her week, she’s more likely to remember… and then remind those with the driver’s licenses.
2) Add one more task to your week: I know you’re busy, but a quick reminder phone call or email the evening before (or the morning of) her lesson will do wonders. More often than not, by the 6th time you’ve called Missy’s parents will get the hint and make you a priority and the phone calls will no longer be needed. This is also a great way to touch base, inform them of how wonderful she was her her previous lesson, and offer words of encouragement for at-home practice.
3) Out with the Practice Incentive, in with the Lesson Incentive: Use a similar approach as you would a student who rarely practices and set Missy up with a lesson incentive program. Give her a visual way to track the lessons she attends and offer a prize after every 5 lessons in a row. She’ll definitely be chatting about this at home and most parents don’t want to let their child down. They’ll get her there.
I know some may argue with me and say that once an uncommitted student, always an uncommitted student. However, if everyone were to treat her with this same indifference she’s destined to float through life without experiencing any sort of achievement. We are not responsible for the upbringing of our piano students. However, we sure as heck have a lot of influence in our position as their piano teacher! Put some effort into your piano students who miss lessons, and you may actually reap some rewards in return. It has been found that one of the top factors in job satisfaction is feelings of being challenged and of making a difference. Give it a go with Missy and you both may end up the better for it 🙂
Christina says
Great post!
My Missy was a senior with a drivers liscense this year, I felt so guilty letting her go. She’d been with me for several years with no problem before. But her social calendar had overwhelmed her practice time this year. Anybody have suggestions specific for the senior year Missys?
And what do you do with Sissy sick-a-lots? Thanks!
Elizabeth Crane says
There are rare instances where the reason that the student misses lessons frequently is beyond their control. I have been teaching one little girl, for a few years now, whose parents are divorced–one parent plays piano, understands the value of a music education, and takes her to lessons and events religiously; the other parent wants the little girl to be a cheer leader and on a very rare occasion takes the daughter to piano lessons. So depending on the custody arrangement at the time, determines whether or not she will be able to attend her music lesson.
The poor kid is helpless in this situation… Amazingly, she has an awesome attitude, enjoys music, and has been able to continue to progress, albeit slowly. All I can do is be patient and continue to motivate the child.
Leah Coutts says
What a refreshing approach to one of the major frustrations of teaching!
Christina, I never let “no time to practice” be an excuse for missing lessons. I let them know that lessons are a chance for guided practice. It’s not about what they have/haven’t done, it’s about what we can achieve together in that lesson time. If they feel they have to be fully prepared for their lessons, and treat them like performances, they’ll start to cancel due to lack of practice at home.
Some may disagree with me, but I’m happy to have older students who love their lessons and really enjoy music, but only practice once or twice through the week because that’s all their schedule will allow. Sure, progress is slow, but we both have fun in their lessons and expectations are realistic for where they are.
Colleen Branson says
Leah Coutts,
I totally agree. Lack of practice is not a reason for missing lessons.
Magali says
I also have 2 little brothers who do not practice much during the week but when they are with me for 30 minutes I make sure they go home with something new under their little fingers… and at the end of the lesson when I point to them how much they have progressed in 30 minutes I make a point of telling them that if they could practice 10 minutes per day, it would make the lessons easier and more fun because they would feel more at ease…
Diane says
I have a problem with 2 little sisters who are with their daddy (who has a keyboard) 3 days a week, and mommy the rest of the week (who does not have a piano of any kind). Daddy brings them to lessons (paid for by grandma). Since their time with their father is limited, they neglect their practicing, and lesson time is often spent re-teaching concepts that should have been mastered by now. Fortunately Daddy is now on track with requiring them to practice when they stay with him. Mom comes to the recitals but that’s the extent of it. I’m hoping that 3 days of practicing will pick up the lesson pace.