How many times have parents come to you flip-flopping on a decision to have their children “stick with” piano lessons or… quit? Or, how many times have you heard “We just can’t make it work anymore…” or “Soccer is getting too busy…” or “She has a lot of homework this year already.”
Whenever I hear of this happening (we usually get an email from a distraught piano teacher who is desperate to save a promising student) it makes me think: What is it that makes someone decide what they truly need. And how can we make piano lessons one of those life necessities?
Tough Decisions… Made Easier
There comes a point for many piano students when piano lessons are up on the “chopping block”. Conflicting extracurricular activities, a momentary lessening of interest, new work schedules for parents, financially tight moments… almost every piano family, at some point, will consider whether or not piano lessons are a necessity or a “luxury item”.
And it’s not only because our own livelihood depends on continuing piano lessons that this should be a consideration for us. We all know that the benefits of having music in one’s life are far-reaching (and well-documented). So, for the sake of both our business and our students, it’s important that piano lessons come out on top when it’s time for tough decisions.
And while you can’t “save” every single student (and in some instances, you may not choose to) there are always those piano students who you know deep down in your bones need piano lessons. So for those instances, Check out the 7 ways that I’m working to make piano lessons a non-negotiable necessity for my students.
7 Ways To Make Piano Lessons Come Out On Top
1. Eliminate stress and negativity – Anything that causes an already-busy family excess stress, arguing, nagging, inconvenience or feelings of inadequacy is more likely to be viewed as “not necessary”. This means that having strong systems in place for educating families on efficient and pain-free piano practice at home is paramount.
2. Eliminate Inconveniences – Take a look at all of your systems within your piano studio. Is there anything that you could improve upon to reduce stress or inconvenience on the part of your families? Think in terms of your methods of communication, the way in which you schedule students, the methods of payment you accept, etc. What may take a bit more time to change or set up may make all the difference to families “on the edge”.
3. Build Community – If your piano studio families feel they have a place in your studio community then they are more likely to feel connected to piano lessons long-term. Hosting studio events, parent evenings, group piano classes and recitals are one way to do so. Having a consistently-updated Facebook page is another. Anything you can do to make your families feel as though they belong to something is key.
4. Build Pride – This plays off of the point above. Clearly communicate (often!) what it is about your studio’s offerings that is unique, valuable, desirable and creative. Ensure that the first impressions you leave (all materials, your physical studio space, your overall studio image, etc.) are positive and impeccably professional. Families who enjoy being associated with something are less likely to pull the plug when troubles arise.
5. Be Relevant – Kids have (almost literally) a million different activities to choose from when it comes to after-school offerings. One way that piano lessons can come out on top is by ensuring that the materials you use are engaging and relevant. If your students find piano lessons to be applicable to their day-to-day life then they would definitely miss piano lessons if they were to disappear. Build relevancy by including music your students really connect with, and by regularly updating your lesson materials and teaching practices.
6. Communicate Progress – It’s easy for soccer parents to see their children’s accomplishments; a kicked ball rolls into a net and everyone cheers. It’s more difficult for music parents to judge progress and achievement. It’s up to us to regularly educate and communicate the gains their children are making and how they can support this progress at home. Find a method that works for you (regular emails, shout-outs on Facebook, video recordings, student assessments, personal phone calls, monthly “report cards” etc.) and ensure that this is happening frequently.
7. Involve the Family – Parents who are involved in piano lessons are more likely to view them as important. Encourage family members to be participants during practice time, invite family members in to observe lessons, and create studio events or incentives that involve parents. Making piano lessons a “family affair” will build those feelings of loyalty… rapidly.
Taking Piano Lessons “Off The Table”
With enough effort on your part, you can likely make piano lessons be the one activity that is “off the table” when it comes to deciding what stays and what goes when a family is faced with these kinds of decisions. And you’ll not only be doing yourself a favor by doing so. As one of the most popular Facebook shareables we’ve ever created states: “When you’re 90, you probably won’t be playing soccer, doing gymnastics or dancing hip hop. But you’ll still be able to play the piano.” Here’s to a whole bunch of 90-year-old pianists due to your efforts!
María Laura says
Thanks for the post! it’s the perfect time for me to read it since I have a couple of students in that situation of quiting or going on, and at this point piano is compiting with taekwondo… It makes me feel irrelevant, but now I have new tools to change that situation, thank you so much!
Andrea says
Glad to hear it Maria – I hope it helps you!
Levi says
It’s so nice to see things I’m already doing being reaffirmed! A lot of what you have said is definitely true and has worked for me in the past and even just recently. I often find too that giving the parent the option to quit rather than being forceful also works really well. Often they just want to openly discuss their issues and sometimes I’ll agree and say perhaps a break is in order or we can always pick it up again next term if I have the position available.
Andrea says
Thanks for your comments Levi!
antoinette says
thank you for your timely post. This is the time of year when some decide if they will continue lessons next year? I think your suggestion of letting parents know the children’s progress and your suggestion of providing music for students that they like, are the two most important points.
Andrea says
Thanks for your comment Antoinette! Yes, in the northern hemisphere anyway, parents are already thinking about the next school year’s activities (we’re just a couple months away from summer break in schools) and so the spring is an important time to really focus on retention.
Mia Boyd says
Thanks for the information. I really like how you mentioned that piano lessons aren’t a luxury anymore; they’re a necessity. I’m going to make sure I program that mindset into the hearts of my children. You’re right, piano lessons are crucial! They teach children so much! I’ll schedule lessons this week.
Marie says
I would LOVE to get my hands on your “When you’re 90…” Facebook shareable to put on our studio’s Facebook page. Any chance you’d repost that sometime soon? Or email my way, please? I love EVERYTHING you do! Thanks for making us teachers look so good 🙂
Andrea says
Hi Marie! You can find that Facebook Shareable “When you’re 90″… at this link on our Pinterest page 🙂 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/63331938483359086/
Rachel says
Do you have any ideas on how to grow my studio in an area that is hit really hard economically? I’ve dropped my prices to below the average since people are truly struggling to keep their heads above water financially here after 3 years in succession of wildfires then a bad flood. So many people have simply moved out and those who are left don’t seem to put music lessons as a priority. Most teachers have simply quit because no matter how much advertising etc we do we can’t get students. I have 1. I have a website, newspaper ads, website listings for my business, business cards up around town but any ideas on how I can convince parents music lessons should be a priority? Other activities for kids are struggling to stay afloat in this recession also so it’s not just music teachers.
I just found your site. I love the materials and will be ordering some for my studio soon.
Shari says
Rachel, are you able to provide group lessons? If you only have one piano, you could possibly create a unique teaching setting where two (or more) students could share the lesson and learn while observing the other(s). Also duet playing could factor big with them. You could go a bit more general during such lessons with rhythm activities using percussion instruments in addition to keyboard activities. Many of Trevor’s and Andrea’s Piano Games would be super relevant in this arrangement! This way the lesson fees could go down even more for the family but still earn a decent fee for you. There’s also the element of camaraderie that can develop between the students and their families this way, spark enthusiasm and who knows – it may be enough for them to find a way and opt for private lessons after all. Good luck!