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Original poster

Worried about Change of career (piano teacher)

26 replies

Doremi1689 · 09/12/2021 13:11

I’m a music performance graduate in piano. I stopped playing piano 8 years ago but got back into it seriously during lockdown. Ever since then I’m thinking of a career change, as I know there’s no shortage of ppl looking for a piano teacher. but the thought of changing my career worries me. Right now I don’t have a great job in terms of my passion and what I enjoy (I work in finance), however the company is great, got good morals, I can work from home even post covid, work is flexible which is good for childcare, lovely manager… I work 4 days a week at the company so if I were to be a private piano teacher I’d start off with teaching 1 day a week and see how it goes from there.
In terms of qualifications I have my Abrsm grade 5 theory, grade 8 performance, trinity atcl diploma, all distinction.. and obviously my music performance degree. I feel like I have the imposter syndrome as I’ve never taught to anyone before other than when I was at uni on a work placement for a few weeks but that was years ago. I’m Keen as I have a nearly 3 year old and would love to teach him the piano soon. It’s the pressure of knowing that teaching kids at a young age is the most important as it leaves a big Impact on them and I am responsible for that. I’m thinking of doing a piano teaching qualification on top of what I have (starts next year) aswell as doing the Ltcl diploma (not until my son start school). Does anyone have a piano teacher for their kids and if so what is the most important thing to you ? Am I looking too much into this and should I just try and see how it goes, as everyone has a starting point

OP posts:
ChangeChingyChange · 09/12/2021 14:35

Try it one day a week initially and see how It goes. You have nothing to lose. Be prepared that many people may want evenings or weekends for lessons so set your stall early as to what hours you'll offer etc.

Babymamamama · 09/12/2021 14:42

Do it part time. See if you want to scale it up.

normanthegonk · 09/12/2021 14:43

My dd used to be taught by a teacher who lives in the village. .but came into the primary school to teach...i don't know if you need specific qualifications for this..Other wise I guess it would be evenings and weekends. dd was quite good but gave up..I think the music for the exams was not really her thing.

Mumwithapub · 09/12/2021 14:45

Have you looked at running Moo Music or Music Train sessions? I used to take little one along before COVID.

Essexmum321 · 09/12/2021 14:49

The most important thing to me is being good with children, others go on how quickly you get children through the grades.

haba · 09/12/2021 14:49

I think schools would expect a teaching qualification too, I'm afraid (as would I, as a parent).

That said, many people baulk at the cost of piano lessons, and may be willing to pay someone who is an outstanding performer.

rifling · 09/12/2021 14:51

Check out the ABRSM forum. There are lots of posts about teaching and how to do it. Also, a lot of people are interested in zoom lessons too.

User2638483 · 09/12/2021 14:56

I think it could be good but I fear that the peak times for lessons (after school 3.30-6ish) would be exactly when you’d need to be with your own child/ren and you won’t have many pupils in the day - perhaps some adult learners or home educated people.

I think that being a skilled teacher is very different to being a skilled player and it will be really important to find a system of teaching books that you like.

But I think trying one day a week and building up is a great plan 👍

User2638483 · 09/12/2021 14:56

And you need to come across confidently and that you know what you’re doing.
I think you’re more than qualified, there are private instrumental teachers out there with no qualifications.

User2638483 · 09/12/2021 14:57

Could you also get work as an accompanist on the side?

tpmumtobe · 09/12/2021 14:59

Be aware that most people will want a lesson between 4pm and 7pm Mon-Fri or all day Saturday. I don't think the hours are necessarily family friendly if you have kids yourself. Also if you're travelling to teach (as our DCs' teacher does) then timetabling can be a logistical nightmare!

In terms of what to look for, I wanted someone gentle and calm who wasn't obsessed with grades and scales but also someone who was going to teach them to actually read music. I'm quite surprised at how many of my kids' friends can seemingly play well but have learnt almost entirely by ear and can't read a note of music!

AmIgoinghomeforXmas · 09/12/2021 15:05

We have had several music teachers.
My key focus is someone who can build a good relationship with my dc, this more important to me than getting them through grades etc.
I agree that learning to read music is also something I would expect.

As others have said the work is going to be weekends and after school a lot of the time.

Comefromaway · 09/12/2021 15:06

@haba

I think schools would expect a teaching qualification too, I'm afraid (as would I, as a parent).

That said, many people baulk at the cost of piano lessons, and may be willing to pay someone who is an outstanding performer.

To be a classroom teacher then yes maybe, but to work in a school as a peri, or music support then most parents look for a diploma such as the ATCL the OP already has.
AnotherExpatKiwi · 09/12/2021 15:10

I’m an instrumental teacher with similar performance level to you who took a break and worked in law for years and then returned to teaching when my children were small.

Couple of things:

Teaching is very different to performing. You need to be able to transfer your knowledge in a child specific way, unless you’re looking at teaching adults. Look at courses such as the CME (certificate of music education) or one of the teaching diplomas such as Trinity ATCL Teaching. There’s also a piano specific teaching course called The Piano Teaching Course which used to be run by the European Piano Teachers’ Association but is now not associated with them anymore.

Join some of the piano teaching groups on Facebook.
Piano Network UK is a good starting point to ask for advice.

Teaching does need you to be available from 3:30-7 weekdays unless you’re looking at being a peripatetic in a school. Peri work is brutal at times with back to back 20 minute lessons, teachers who sometimes don’t appreciate kids taken out of lessons, and kids who often are there not because they’re interested, it because mum or dad think it’s a good thing. Having said that I have lovely schools now and love my work.

I started when my kids were primary aged, with 3 students and picked up more word of mouth as time went on. My first ever student stayed with me until she got to 6th form and got her ATCL so it can be incredibly rewarding. Kids are usually great, parents sometimes not so 🤣

Bramshott · 09/12/2021 15:14

Go for it!! It's not a very family friendly career though as most people want lessons after school...

Greymalkin12 · 09/12/2021 15:15

I dabble in music and have a similar aged child so have started to think about lessons eventually. In an ideal world I'd want someone who is good with teaching children, who plays well themselves (performance major or conservatoire graduate). Ideally someone who can teach to grade 8 at least although not that bothered about grades, who would give them a good grounding in technique and musicality, let them learn lots of pieces and not just the exam pieces. I learn with someone who pushed me through the grades and got to the stage I had a high grade at a young age but shocking technique. But overall someone who would sort communicate the joy of learning an instrument to their pupils. Probably have knowledge of music theory post grade 5 although I'm sure you have already if you've studied to university level. I'd start small and scale up.

User2638483 · 09/12/2021 16:08

Sort of the opposite to above, the teacher we’ve ended up with takes forever to enter them for grades - 4 years in dds case, because she is very strong on technique and theory. Sounds good in some ways but sadly it’s meant my dds have lost interest because they haven’t got enough progress under her belt.

With my eldest dd who eventually took grade 1 in year 6 having asked about it for a few terms before, she got a high distinction and only dropped a few marks so I definitely feel could and should have taken it earlier.
Unfortunately then when she got to secondary school she quickly lost interest.

User2638483 · 09/12/2021 16:09

Needless to say 3rd dd will be going elsewhere…

Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 09/12/2021 16:19

Hey, piano teacher of 17yrs here. Looking to potentially change to something else! Love teaching and per hour it pays well, I get all the holidays, don't have to worry about childcare, and I'm my own boss. However, there aren't enough hours after school to make it a full time income, it's a bit lonely and now the kids are older it's not great as I start work when they finish school.
As for qualifications etc, im same as you but was terrified when first starting. Highly recommend reading Paul Harris book on teaching beginners.

Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 09/12/2021 16:19

Ps welcome to pm me if you want to pick my brains!

Original poster
Doremi1689 · 09/12/2021 17:49

Thanks everyone. Some great comments here!

Yes, it will be difficult with childcare if I teach children after school… maybe I could start off once a week and see what happens. If I were to get more students I would probably do 3x evenings max a week, and not weekends as I want to be with family .

I don’t want to work in schools, I’d like to teach privately in my own home. I have friends who are music teachers eg piano / clarinet, (not an actual music classroom teacher) and they said they aren’t even asked to see their qualification. The way the school hires a piano/whichever instrument teacher is you just play one piece to them and they decide, quite bad really. Also they said the pay isn’t great. Although I know if you were to become an actual classroom music teacher you need a pgce

It’s nice to read parents don’t want their children to be focused on exams, grades, etc and instead to play music the children enjoy, a friend of mine says she gets a bit annoyed at parents who just push for the kids to do exams as that’s not her style.

Very true about there being a difference in being an outstanding performer but a terrible teacher.

I have a nearly 3 year old so I’m experienced in being calm, patient and encouraging ;)

Thanks to the person who recommended some fb groups and qualifications, I have actually joined that group “piano network” it’s super helpful! And the teaching course I was talking about is “Cert ptc - the piano teachers course”.

@Alittlenonsensenowandthenalittle do you teach privately or at school? Yes I’ve actually bought Paul Harris teaching beginners book ! Although I haven’t yet read it it’s sitting on top of my piano!

OP posts:
Guacamole001 · 09/12/2021 17:52

Surely children do not take lessons until the age of 8.

Huy456 · 09/12/2021 17:58

I would just want to make sure you had childcare so no interruptions and just practical things like parking.
For us it's just someone who is pleasant and calm and can work on individual strengths and weaknesses without making it boring. If you struggle to get people at the start you could offer to go to their homes. We have a really busy schedule so someone who could come to us would be brilliant

Greymalkin12 · 09/12/2021 19:07

I forgot to add, what my second teacher did which looking back was very good, was to encourage her pupils to play in a friendly little concert every term or so. It helped with nerves in exams, and piano can be quite a lonely instrument.

absolutelynotfabulous · 09/12/2021 19:13

Train to teach through the Epta course mentioned by a PP.

Join Curious Piano Teachers. Much livelier than abrsm. Sorry can't link but operates through Facebook I think.