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Any teachers of piano out there willing to share some of their experiences?

12 replies

notsogoldenoldie · 16/03/2015 15:35

Hi all. I'm looking for some advice on becoming a full-blown piano teacher. I'm a kind of wannabe at the moment. I've been teaching friends for fun for a while and love it! I posted here ages back and got a drubbing for daring to suggest a career in piano teaching without any qualifications, but I have two Grade Eights now and well on the way towards a Licentiate in teaching. I'm happy to pursue any other qualifications as well.

I now think I am ready but need constant reassurance that i really am competent enough to do it. Am I, do you think?

I have five pupils-four adults and a child. I know I can get people to play, and the child is shortly sitting a Prep Test. But the thought of putting people in for exams terrifies meShock.

Any thoughts/ advice?

Posting here for traffic, by the way...

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Ferguson · 16/03/2015 19:33

I'm NOT a piano teacher, so I can say, sometimes some of them can be a bit snobby, about what sort of instrument a pupil has, or what music they want to play!

I played drums for forty years - pubs, clubs, pantomime, stage shows etc. I had played piano 'by ear', also trumpet as a teenager. Later, had a Yamaha organ and used Kenneth Baker books.

When I got in to primary education, as Teaching Assistant, I had recorder groups for ten years, did a Keyboard club with Year 6 (making up own tunes and simple improvisation), and coached Yr2 children on percussion to accompany the Christmas performance each year.

My main aim was to give children a 'taste' of making music, and to have some fun. And these were mostly kids from deprived backgrounds, who otherwise would never have experienced any kind of music making.

If we accept your Grade 8s as evidence you are 'up to the job', the question is how you relate to pupils, particularly younger ones, and how you approach their learning.

I have replied on similar topics several times, so if you Search my name, and keyboard, piano etc, you will see more of mu ideas.

I'll try and come back in a few days, to see how you are getting on.

Good luck.

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ShellingPeasAgain · 16/03/2015 20:49

Post on the teachers section of the ABRSM forum for some good advice. Lots of experienced teachers who will be sympathetic to your current level of expertise.

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1805 · 16/03/2015 21:22

HI. Good for you.

I would say if you want to do it, then go for it! Like everything, your confidence will grow the more you do it. Do believe in yourself though, as you will never please all the people all the time!

If you want to do it for a living, have you considered the following?

The ABRSM has some teaching courses that you may like, to boost your confidence and give you some experience. Also on their website is a "mark the exam" section (somewhere) where you can be an examiner and see how you fare. That should give you an idea to exam level standards. Just imagine you are taking the exam - would you expect to pass?

How are you intending to recruit your pupils? To earn a decent living you need a lot of pupils. Also consider accompanying other teachers pupils for extra income. - Don't forget to register with the Tax office too!! Join the MU if you haven't already, then your public liability insurance is sorted, and you can also use their ready made contracts for your pupils, and see the minimum rate for charges, and payment options etc. Also, police checks, and safeguarding courses will probably be available too. (I do mine through schools I work at.)

Are you familiar with the different tutor books to suit different types of learners? What hours are you happy to work? After school/evening/at school?

Sorry, I've gone on a bit!!! But I know I never thought about all of this stuff when I started out!

Good luck, and enjoy it!

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notsogoldenoldie · 17/03/2015 15:14

Thanks all. I lurk on the Abrsm website already but find it a bit try-hard for my liking, although there's some interesting stuff sometimes. My background is in jazz, not classical, so perhaps I feel a bit different anyway. I love the sound of Ferguson's lessons! I truly believe music is life-enhancing and should be FUN.

I think I relate to children well, and genuinely like them (mostlyGrin. I don't have much experience of tiny ones, though. Perhaps I need to work on this.

I think my main problem, though, is that, because most music teachers I know have degrees, I feel I'm not as accomplished as they are and therefore a bit of a fraud.

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twentyten · 17/03/2015 15:17

Why not market yourself as a teacher whose aim is to inspire a love of music and teach skills? Do what you are best at!

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notsogoldenoldie · 17/03/2015 15:17

1805 Yes, I am aware of the various tutor methods on offer, although I've yet to settle on one. I have most of them.
I also really like the idea of being a "pretend" examiner.

I haven't joined a professions body yet as I'm torn between MU and Epta. I think the MU will win.

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ihatethecold · 17/03/2015 15:35

My dd11 is changing teachers soon because she's leaving primary school.
I just want her new teacher to encourage her to enjoy music,
To make some progression and be a kind and welcoming person.
Her qualifications mean nothing to me.

My dd is learning for fun, she may not do it forever but I want it to be positive.

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notsogoldenoldie · 18/03/2015 07:50

Thanks, ihate. Nice to know, that. Hope your dd enjoys her musical journeySmile

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MilesHuntsWig · 18/03/2015 08:03

What twentyten said. I used to teach kids and a couple of adults when I was at sixth form (had grade 8).

Never advertised myself as someone with loads of qualifications and if someone showed talent/looked like they needed a more experienced hand I recommended them on.

I think if you're up front about your experience and your approach there's no problem, people can choose to go for that or not!

Good luck!!!

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Ferguson · 18/03/2015 19:39

I'll try and 'paste' in name of a teacher who answers a lot of music queries. Might be worth you Searching for her replies and posts:

JulieMichelleRobinson

(Sometime, I'll PM you to hear more about your jazz background!)

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notsogoldenoldie · 19/03/2015 16:08

Thanks all. Really appreciated.

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Mistigri · 20/03/2015 09:27

I'm just a parent, but I'd be more than happy with a teacher with a jazz background and genuine desire to pass on a love of music :) as long as you're honest about your relative lack of experience then I don't see a problem!

My daughter's piano teacher doesn't have teaching qualifications, he is first and foremost a composer. He has done amazing things with her!

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