Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Unflip

1 2

Original poster

Is this a reasonable amount of information to ask from a prospective tutor

40 replies

GColdtimer · 24/02/2016 17:02

DH is a guitar teacher and professional musician.

Today he has been asked by a potential student's mother for his DRB check, grade certificiates, references, influences, musical background, and links to him playing live.

He was a bit [ about being asked for so much for an initial 30 minute lesson for a beginner but gave all the information requested.

The mother then emailed back and said the video clips of him playing live didn't contain enough guitar solos so could her child come for 30 minutes sometime this week (she wouldn't be paying for the time) for DH to play live for him. She was going to do that with 3 teachers and her son was going to choose who he preferred.

The child is 9 and a complete beginner.

DH said, sorry but I am not prepared to do that. I think he has had a lucky escape to be honest but would does anyone else thing thats reasonable?

OP posts:

1805 · 07/03/2016 18:46

Mind you, I've had a few corkers at state schools around Oxford too.

Original poster

GColdtimer · 06/03/2016 21:29

Yes, and we are in a town with a lot of private schools and sorry to say the entitlement that can go with it.

OP posts:

1805 · 05/03/2016 21:11

LOL at Oxfordshire!!!! I've had some priceless parents in Oxfordshire!

Original poster

GColdtimer · 03/03/2016 20:53

Ha cats life - not in Oxfordshire are you??

OP posts:

catslife · 26/02/2016 15:49

Read this thread and then saw an advert on local services FB page asking if anyone knew a guitar teacher for a complete beginner .........

cingolimama · 26/02/2016 11:22

It's not because she's French, it's because she's a banana!

Mistigri · 25/02/2016 21:11

I don't know a single French parent who would do this . You'd get short shrift if you tried this at the conservatoire!!!

Icouldbeknitting · 25/02/2016 17:36

"May have come across as a bit demanding" deserves to be the understatement of the year.

Original poster

GColdtimer · 25/02/2016 17:08

So, she called back. Apologised, said she realised she may have come across as a bit demanding, realised that my DH is the best teacher around and said sorry for causing offence. Blamed it on being French! She said his references sung his praises and has asked if she could book a course of 10 lessons. He hasn't replied yet.

Basically, other teachers told her where to go to and she had to eat humble pie. Also realised my DH has an excellent reputation.

(Or alternatively she is on here, if so "hello"!)

Thanks everyone - showed DH the video and he was in hysterics. Said it made him feel less alone and that it wasn't just him.

OP posts:

LooseAtTheSeams · 25/02/2016 15:17

That did make me laugh but honestly, the woman must be bonkers. Do let us know if she comes back after all the teachers close ranks!

Icouldbeknitting · 25/02/2016 10:47

That's why I thought she might be back after she had found that the other local teachers also declined her "invitation" to audition. I think after the comment about "dusty old teacher" she's well and truly burnt her bridges and a return is out of the question. Fortunately.

dodobookends · 25/02/2016 10:11

Well, best of luck to her in finding a teacher prepared to accommodate her exacting requirements!

Mistigri · 25/02/2016 07:32

Wow, that is seriously entitled.

Does your DH know the other guitar teachers in the area? Would love to know how this one turns out .

Icouldbeknitting · 24/02/2016 22:51

I take back what I said about charging her double if she returns, it's a big fat NOPE now. Someone is definitely being unreasonable but it's not your husband.

NewLife4Me · 24/02/2016 22:10

My dh had to teach some corkers when the dc were little and he wasn't as well known and established.
Now he's lucky that he can just teach the ones he wants to, he can't just take the money and suck it up and I admire him for this.
Isn't so easy when dc are little though and mortgage etc.

Well done your dh, you have made me smile.
I have met a few mothers like this, at some ensembles I can't help it but I just laugh out loud at them.
Obviously they hate me, because I don't get involved and have a nice flat cap.

Original poster

GColdtimer · 24/02/2016 21:30

So he said something like I'm afraid I don't really have time for your process, if you book a lesson I will happily play and if you decide I am not the teacher for you, that is fine, but you do need to book a lesson.

She has come back saying he is unreasonable and must be a dusty old teacher who has no joy of his instrument.

Loon

OP posts:

traviata · 24/02/2016 20:49

woops x post! serves me right for spending too long watching it.

traviata · 24/02/2016 20:43

for the Felicity animation

Original poster

GColdtimer · 24/02/2016 20:39

Brilliant. Thank you newlife. Will show it to DH when he finishes. Love it all but especially "last week it took her 10 minutes to open her case"!

OP posts:

NewLife4Me · 24/02/2016 20:14

I think I got that link wrong

NewLife4Me · 24/02/2016 20:12

Found them here, do please show him if he isn't familiar with them, they really make me laugh after hearing so much of this over the years.
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=music+lesson+parents

NewLife4Me · 24/02/2016 20:09

Ah, OP there are some very funny computer animated parents of children having music lessons doing the rounds.
For anyone who teaches they are absolutely hysterical.
My dh has shown me some but no idea where they are from, i'll see if I can find some, your dh will love them.

Original poster

GColdtimer · 24/02/2016 19:37

I might do that too Vim. I need a cake baking!

To be fair most people are lovely - come via a recommendation, realise there will be little improvement without practice, don't expect dh to turn water into wine etc but some parents are far too precious.

OP posts:

Original poster

GColdtimer · 24/02/2016 19:35

Will check out the forum and YouTube video. Dh could do with a laugh. And love the idea of an audition.

DH does have a website with all the info you would expect - methods, testimonials, background, links to him playing etc. He has a DBS because he worked in schools for a while - not sure you can even get one as a self employed person these days.

I think she would have been a total nightmare - he has had some classics over the years but this is a first in nearly 15 years!

OP posts:

Icouldbeknitting · 24/02/2016 19:34

It's not reasonable at all and it sounds as if this is a pupil that he could do without. I doubt that a relationship that starts like this is going to get any more normal over time. If she comes back and your husband is prepared to take it on then I'd suggest that he starts with double his normal rates because it's going to be hard work.

Over the years we've engaged two brass teachers, a flute teacher, a piano teacher and a theory teacher and all we've ever done is chat to someone we know who's already having lessons or have a trial lesson.

Unflip

1 2