” aEvery day new teachers visit our blog who are just beginning their journey into the world of piano education. Some have a few students, some are advertising for students, and some are merely kicking the tires of the trade.
Every day we also have regular readers visit our blog who have been teaching many students for many years, and who have amassed a wealth of piano teaching knowledge. So much can be gained by learning from those with years of experience…
Let’s Connect Teachers With Teachers!
Today we’d like to connect the two groups. Today, we want those experienced teachers who have toughed it out in the trenches and who have made and learned from their mistakes to share their single most important piece of piano teaching advice that will make the life of a brand new piano teacher a heck of a lot easier.
Check out the comments below. If you’re new to teaching piano and are looking for even more advice, check out our posts below:
5 Ways To Make A Fabulous First Impression On New Piano Families
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Teaching My First Piano Lesson
Elizabeth says
Dear New Teacher,
1) Never stop learning! Spend time scanning your favourite websites (like this one!) for new teaching ideas, read up on the latest studies on learning and child development, find out how to harness technology, built a website, promote your studio. Even if you only choose one thing to concentrate on each year, you will be amazed how much you grow as a teacher and business-person as time goes by.
2) Never stop playing! We get so busy with teaching, preparing and just plain old LIFE that it becomes hard to get to the piano sometimes. Schedule time for yourself to try new music, resurrect old favourites, and just explore. How can we get other people excited about music, if we are too busy to let ourselves enjoy it?
3)Have a studio policy. Get parents to sign it. The best two things I ever did for the business side of the studio was request the yearly tuition to be paid in September by ten post-dated cheques, and restrict make-up lessons to severe illness or family emergency only. 90% of the scheduling and money difficulties completely disappeared.
Have fun! You’re gonna love this life!
Anonymous says
For personal reasons, I wish to remain anonymous, but I just want you to know that most of your replies brought tears to my eyes. Between financial difficulties, grieving the loss of my Dad, and suffering from anxiety and depression, I’ve lost the fun in teaching and berated myself for not being more creative or fun. I’m ready to throw in the towel. But thanks to you all, and sharing your ideas, I will take the summer to relax and begin anew in September with a completely different mind set.
Joyce says
Every lesson plan is just that – a plan – not something that you necessarily will do – “read” your students – do they need a review on LH note names, do they need a fun activity – see “Your Piano Teacher Thinks This is Practice” – even with these “FUN” pages – it might not work for every student every week. Also, not all students like certain activities – don’t REQUIRE it – just have lots of options…do they like rhythm clapping activities, computer games, etc.
Jolene says
“Don’t teach in a vacuum.” I heard this from another teaching professional and had to think about it. Yes, I have my own methods and philosophy, however, I can be flexible in my lesson plan; I can treat each student as an individual with differing likes and dislikes; I can learn and grow and try new things!
Janet Bryant says
Tailor your lessons for each student. Talk with them to find out what their goals are for taking lessons. Are they interested in only playing contemporary music? Are they open to learning Classical music? Do they have any prior music experience? Have they taken any sort of instrumental lessons? Find out about any other activities they are involved in plus stay on top of things going on in their personal lives. Keep a file for each student containing details about their goals, attendance records, payment information including how much they paid and when, and their progress through whatever methods books/other materials they may be using. Also include any student performance data…..when, where, what they performed, etc. Students LOVE knowing you are in tune with every aspect of their lives, and that you are current on what music they are working on. Always take a few minutes to talk with your students about how much practicing they were able to do during the past week, and what was happening that may have influenced their practice time. Frequently refer to your file on them to update any information they share with you. Realize they have lives outside of piano and that those events have a great impact on how fast they will learn the material you are sharing with them.
Jessica says
This has probably been mentioned already, but I still think it’s really important. Be sure to have established policies and stick with them. Piano/Music teaching is a business, and people need to view it as such. You will have far fewer problems if you establish policies from the beginning, and make them clear. Don’t be afraid to be firm either. No one goes to Walmart and asks for something for free, yet it seems people are always asking for lessons to be refunded if they miss a week. Music lessons are no less of a business than retail. Other than that, have fun, be confident, be enthusiastic, and enjoy :).
Hord says
From the very beginning, start off strong, read all the resources for teaching piano, be prepared for everything, from your studio policy to the incentive program you plan to use.. It’s more difficult to change things after you start… Respect what you’re doing and take it seriously, and you will find that your students and their parents do the same.
During the lessons keep it relaxed and fun, and care for each student as if it was your own son/daughter.. No matter how young they are, they will know you care, and they will listen to you more and respect what you’re doing..
Be alert and find out what each student likes so you know what pieces they will enjoy…
matthew a. donovan says
I would have to say the single most important piece of advice I could give a newbie piano teacher would be this:
“It’s not about YOU. This is about cultivating a young person’s love of music, which could dramatically their course of life in the future. Follow the example of growing a plant; too much water (information) can kill a plant; too much premature information that YOU feel like YOU want to overload a student with can kill their enthusiasm for all things music permanently. Each plant is different; so are students. Build a firm foundation of music THEY WANT TO PLAY that leads THEM to ask YOU questions, then you will have students that are GENUINELY interested in musical growth in their lives.”
Music, music, music!
Grace says
Excellent advice
Amy G says
I like to invite the parents to come and participate in the first few lessons (especially young beginners) so that they can learn enough to help out their child at home. Also, they are clear on the expectation you have on the student for practicing and theory. I think it’s important for the parents to realize that learning an instrument is not easy (especially when you are 6) and that their encouragement is necessary.
Also, always take the two minutes at the start of the lesson to just talk to your student. I make a note in my agenda so I don’t forget what we spoke about and I can follow up on that topic the next week. It’s a great way to get to know your students and build long lasting relationships (and loyal students / families).
“If it was easy, then everyone would do it!”
Sheila Dacus says
Patience comes when you focus on the student and not yourself. Always be kind as you challenge students to continually improve. Send students out the door with an “I can do this” attitude. The piano lesson can be the high point of a student’s day or even week.
Challenge yourself, as well, to always be learning and seeking out new music and learning tools. Attend all the workshops, conferences and master classes you can to discover keys to excellent teaching. Read and network with other teachers. Entering all your students in local events gives valuable goals and feedback.
On the business side, one of the smartest things I did as a relatively young teacher was set up a checking account separate from our household account.
LeeAnn says
I am just finishing up my first year of teaching and I absolutely lived it!!! However there are many things
That I wish I had done differently. Probably the two most important are practicing and the business side if things. Students need to know what you expect them to do in practice. And also make sure you keep accurate records. Thanks for all the above advice. I will be putting many of the suggestions into practice.
Patty Wise says
Remember that not everyone learns in the same way (and definitely not at the same speed). Find songs that the student is interested in and search for their best way to learn.
Sushila says
Your lesson may be the only positive half hour that this child experiences today. So be a positive, encouraging, loving teacher for the child. What a privilege!
Kathy Allen says
One thing I would add to all this great information for the new teacher is this – I have found that the best way to find new students is to be out in the community playing the piano. I am the accompanist for both of our high school choirs and help at our yearly solo/ensemble contest. This visibility has brought me a lot of business over the years. Also playing piano/organ at our church and other churches that call for special music has increased the number of students. I live in a small farming community and my schedule is full. I love teaching, but having people see me play has been important, too.
Barbara says
Well, the single most important piece of advice would be to keep coming to the TeachPianoToday site (no they didn’t pay me to say that:)
But besides that I would tell the new teacher that you will get many different kinds of students — smart, lazy, challenged, mediocre, etc. — and they found their way to you for a reason. You’ll have something valuable to teach each one of them, AND they will each have something to teach you. Some of the lessons I’ve learned from students (and their parents) include: patience, ability to laugh at myself, incentive to learn more, willingness to stretch out of my comfort zone, humility, grace, and above all gratitude for my musical ability and students to share it with. Enjoy the journey!
Kathy Stricklandthe corporation says
So many wonderful ideas mentioned so far. One idea I find means a lot to a student is to teach by example–actually play FOR them. In my last lesson today my early-teen beginner was playing a little piece called “Taco-Tina” and I related that to a regular Toccatina and then played Kabelevsky’s for her. Sometimes I sightread something a bit challenging for me and share some of the things I’m thinking about as I approach the piece, or make corrections; other times I use something I know well but tie it in with what they are working on. While this music may be well above their level, students can see how the process works over a wide spectrum and get a taste of the neat music that will someday be theirs.
Janelle says
Don’t doubt the value of what you are offering. “Sell” yourself and your studio with confidence, and people will hold greater respect for you and your policies.
Drema says
The single most important advice?
Know who you are and who or what you enjoy teaching! Sometimes we may start out teaching whoever comes our way and then we learn along the way. You may find your strength is or you enjoy teaching a certain age group or level (beginners, intermediate, advanced..etc). When we know what we can or want to offer, it not only allows us to teach more joyfully, the students/families benefit too. Also, knowing what you can do and not do, like knowing your own needs or boundaries will help you be clear in your policies and allow you to teach more freely too. That’s what I’m learning this first year of full-time teaching.
Sara says
Amen to this one!!!!!!!!!!!
Melissa says
I’ve only been teaching for a year, but honestly, this site (TeachPianoToday) was what got me started. I started with WunderKeys and have kept the same students since then and they are doing great. As a new teacher, there are A LOT of wonderful ideas on this site to incorporate in your lessons. Thank you!
Kylie Grayston says
Know that kids will come and go from your studio, that is normal and that is ok – make the most of the time you have with them and believe that everything you teach them is worth something no matter what level they reach or don’t reach.
Barbara says
What a great reminder for all of us Kylie! Thanks.
Coo Jarvis says
Be organised. Set yourself time to plan your lessons, remembering that every student is individual. Make your life easier by using the method book you prefer but also make sure to supplement with pieces and games tailored to each student’s tastes and needs.
Have a policy in place and be firm about this or you will find that some people will take advantage.
Above all, you need to develop a rapport with your students, find out what they’re interested in and have fun with them and they will learn a whole lot better and enjoy the process – and you will too!
Sara says
Value yourself and don’t undercharge! They are paying for more than just the 30 minute time slot… they are paying for all your years of blood, sweat and tears at the piano building your craft and expertise. Think of it like paying a specialized doctor! You aren’t paying for the 10 minute office visit, you are paying for their expertise. VALUE YOURSELF!