What to look for in a music teacher:

Choosing a private music teacher is much like choosing any professional that you have to work with, whether that is your insurance agent, attorney or dentist. You want a skilled person with whom you are comfortable and can trust. Here are some suggested questions to ask a potential teacher:

1. Do you have a degree in music?
2. What is your experience?
3. Are you a member of any professional organizations?
4. Are you performing anywhere that I may hear you? (Teachers do not need to perform to be effective teachers. The required skills for teaching are very different from performing.)
5. Is the student required to purchase music? (Usually a method book to start, although sometimes music is not needed for the initial period learning to play your chosen instrument.)
6. Do you teach music theory? instrument technique?
7. What are your teaching methods? (This can be anything from creating an atmosphere of strict discipline to a more casual one as well as including a variety of method books. )
8. Do you offer performing opportunities, such as recitals?
9. Are there any field trips or activities outside of lessons?
10. Do you have a music library? (not just sheet music, but books, recordings, photographs and like resources)

Find out if you can meet briefly before committing to regular lessons. At that time, you can also look at the studio where you may be taking lessons. After talking with your prospective instructor and meeting her or him, you will have more information from which to make an informed choice.

©Copyright Grace Notes. All rights reserved.
For questions about this site, Email our Webmaster
Site created by The Web Tiger