Piano Teacher: Things to Consider When Hiring One

As you move forward in your goal to become a pianist, your first course of action would be to find a good piano teacher. You will be surprised, though, as you begin your search, that there are plenty of people who are offering this type of service. Some are affiliated with schools, while some are working privately. Finding the right one can be a bit of a challenge because as a student you would definitely want to spend your money wisely. To help you in the selection process, here are some tips that can prove to be useful for you.

Private Lesson vs. Music School

First of all, decide whether you want to attend a music school or hire a private piano instructor. There is not much difference on the piano lesson cost between the two, but each has its pros and cons on other areas. For instance, the best age to start piano lessons is before the child reaches 10 years old, and as a parent, you need to assess your child’s needs. If he requires more attention or if you want your child to learn at his own pace, then go for a private teacher. If you think that the child will do better in a fun environment or with a group, then choose a school set up. For adult students, private lessons will be best for you as you need the proper attention and a customized lesson plan to meet your skill set.

Professional Qualifications

Find out if the teacher has finished a degree in music and if he has the license to teach. It is true that a diploma does not define if the teacher is good or not, but it is a good starting point. That raises your level of confidence compared to risking getting your lessons from someone who does not have any certification in the field of music. Checking out the credentials of your piano instructor also holds true even if you plan to get online piano tutorials.

Methods Used in Teaching

Some still stick to the traditional method of teaching students to read music. Others are more contemporary in their approach and focus first on teaching students to learn piano by ear. For better results, choose a teacher who teaches both. A comprehensive approach can help you become a better pianist later on. Knowing the technical aspect is truly essential, but being able to play by ear is also a rare talent and that can hone your expertise because you do not have to depend on the sheet music all the time.

Teaching Experience

This does not discredit new instructors, but again, you will have better confidence if your piano lesson is handled by a teacher who has been doing his job for a long number of years. The lengthy experience may have taught him a few tricks to help student learn faster and all the knowledge that he has collected in those years can be imparted to the student. But then again, this is not a hundred percent assurance. Some new teachers, for instance, want to prove themselves and so they work harder.

Get Referrals

If you are unsure whether the teacher is good or not then ask former students. They are the best source of information regarding the proficiency of the instructor in teaching piano lessons. Ask around or better yet, ask family members or friends who have gone through a piano lesson and ask recommendations from them. Try to be observant, too. If a teacher, for instance, is unable to keep a student for more than a year, then there must be something wrong with him that makes students transfer to a new school or teacher.

Personality

Would you be willing to get your piano lesson from a teacher who barely smiles? The answer to that will surely be a big no. As much as possible, you would want to get along with your piano instructor so that you can communicate with him effortlessly. That is important because along your lessons you will definitely encounter some problems that you want to be clarified and you can only learn well if your teacher is approachable and easy to talk to. This is especially true with young students. Since they are usually shy to ask questions, it is your role as parents to pick a teacher who can work well with kids. The instructor must have a bright personality, lots of patience, and most of all must know how to motivate his student to learn. In short, find a dedicated piano tutor who makes each lesson fun and interesting to keep the student’s passion for the art just as strong.

Expertise

As you go looking for a piano tutor, make it a point to articulate your expectations and goals. Being honest about this can help you filter out teachers who can meet your objectives. For instance, if you want to focus on classical music, then the teacher must be proficient in it and not on blues or contemporary music.

Finding the right piano teacher for you or for your child can be a bit of a challenge, but it is necessary that you become extra careful so as not to waste time and money. Becoming an expert on this instrument can take years and that should be enough reason for you to make each lesson worth it. You can do that by first hiring the best piano instructor.