Selecting a Private Music Teacher for Your Child
Decide how the child will be transported to and from the lesson, consider what you will do while you wait for the child. Some teachers allow the parent to observe during the lesson
If the child is going to the teacher’s home for lessons, consider how many distractions will be present. Will the teacher’s family be an interruption? Will the teacher accept telephone calls during the lesson? Will the teacher be distracted by household items, for example making coffee during the lesson. If the teacher does have lessons at home, is there a pet that could cause a distraction or an allergic reaction?
Will the teacher give lessons only during the school year or during the summer too? Can the teacher only teach your student to a certain level until another teacher will have to be considered? Does the teacher come recommended? Does the teacher require pay if the child whether the child attends or not? Are both check and cash acceptable means of payment.
Is the payment plan monthly or weekly. If there is another lesson prior to your child’s, does the lesson typically run on schedule? What kind of education does the teacher have? Does the teacher offer different times for lessons, popular times are a half hour or an hour?
If you are seeking a teacher other than for piano lessons, can the teacher accompany your child during the lesson on the piano. Some music requires piano accompaniment.
Is the teacher willing to attend the concert and/or extracirricular concerts for your child.
Additional material may be needed for the lessons. If they are, does the teacher provide them as part of the lesson cost? Or does the teacher provide them at an additional cost? Or does the teacher require you to purchase the material? If materials such as reeds are necessary take time to compare individual reed costs to bulk reed costs. Some classes can be taken on the art of reed making for the oboe, thus saving money over time.
Music is an international language, set your child speaking.
