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Original poster

When would you feel ok to resume private music lessons

27 replies

billybagpuss · 27/05/2020 07:44

I’m a piano teacher and teach in my home in a space that was a garage so long and thin. I really want to get back to face to face as I have huge headaches after online teaching.

There has not been any helpful specifics on when it’s ok to start back up. Obviously if I can’t have parents visit in my home I certainly can’t have students, but on the other hand if schools are ok to go back why not private tutors? I will have to make some adjustments such as no other people in the room as there isn’t space if I’m to sit 2m away, which worries me from a safeguarding point of view as parents have always been welcome to sit in if they want to, but very few do.

Just after some input here do you think:
A) June 15th
B) July at the same time as hairdressers
C) September with the rest of the school years

OP posts:
Stressymcstressfacs · 27/05/2020 07:48

Might sound ridiculous but do you have an electric piano? Could you teach outside over the summer?

Stressymcstressfacs · 27/05/2020 07:49

And I think probably July at the same time as hairdressers ‘officially’ at a guess

MayFayre · 27/05/2020 07:53

A a compromise could you have a Zoom (or equivalent) for the parent to watch the lesson from outside the room, in their car etc.

I’d be happy with earlier but I think B is your best case scenario.

lalalarrrr · 27/05/2020 07:55

Do FaceTime lessons? They're very common now. I gave my first one the first week of lockdown as I preferred face to face but it's actually worked out brilliantly.

Also now that I have maintained lessons I haven't lost pupils and they are at the same point I'd expect them to be now.

SonEtLumiere · 27/05/2020 07:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PotteringAlong · 27/05/2020 07:57

Well, if cleaners can visit people’s homes now I don’t see whY you can’t teach piano according to the guidelines.

Original poster
billybagpuss · 27/05/2020 07:58

@Stressymcstressfacs not ridiculous at all and would be a good solution but unfortunately I don’t have one and it’s a big cost for what will hopefully just be a couple of months. I am having a giggle imagining my lovely neighbours reaction though
😊

@May thank you that’s a good solution if any parents are worried.

OP posts:
User8008135 · 27/05/2020 07:59

What will you put in place? Wearing masks, gloves? Drop offs outside area? When parents and you are willing...

bluefoxmug · 27/05/2020 08:00

not in uk and music lessons for dc have started.
for piano the teacher (at a conservatory) uses 2 pianos side by side.
other instruments use clear drumming screen as separation.
a clear shower curtain on a clothes rack between you and student?

User8008135 · 27/05/2020 08:00

Also cleaning the piano?

Original poster
billybagpuss · 27/05/2020 08:02

@lalalarrrr I have been, but can’t wait to get back to face to face, I have one poor lass working towards g6 and her piano is so far out of tune everything is at least a semitone out and I think the soundboard must be cracked as the bass is in a different place to the rest of it

OP posts:
bluefoxmug · 27/05/2020 08:02

and strickly no parents in the building at my dc music school. drop off is at the bike rack 20m or so from building entrance.

Epigram · 27/05/2020 08:02

I think you could start offering now. Some parents may say no, but a lot of people are starting to feel more relaxed based on the latest figures.

nex18 · 27/05/2020 08:03

Is there any advice from the examining board that you work with? I know my dd’s dance teacher is working to similar guidelines. Personally I would be happy with A if I was happy with your plans (what about ventilation in your room?) but definitely B. Depending on how local your families are, you might want to suggest where your parents can go during the lesson (this is what I am worrying about, back to dance lessons before back to being able to go and get a drink somewhere = sitting in the car!) Can you ask your parents what their thoughts are? Maybe there’ll be more clarity after Thursday’s briefing so you could as then.

RaggieDolls · 27/05/2020 08:07

My DS is restarting his maths tuition next week.

There will be hand washing on arrival and a screen between DS and the tutor. Arrival times have been staggered to allow for equipment to be cleaned in between students and to ensure there isn't more than one student waiting.

Parents don't stay but in the past I have taken DD with me to collect him. I've been asked not to do this wherever possible.

They are keeping the windows open to get some air flowing.

Original poster
billybagpuss · 27/05/2020 08:08

@User8008135 before lockdown I was insisting on hand washing on the way in and wiping the piano between students. I’m not sure on a mask, I may have to, but it does hide expressions which give queues to whether they understand or not. I will also get some cheap flannels so the towel in the toilet doesn’t become contaminated.

OP posts:
lalalarrrr · 27/05/2020 08:11

@billybagpuss I see. I wouldn't teach someone on a completely out of tune piano personally as they surely would learn the j correct 'sounds' which would be to their detriment when moving to another piano.
That is actually their problem to solve not yours? Grade 6 would be even more important that are learning the correct 'sounds'?

I wish you luck anyway. I agree face to face is nicer but my students have not been affected whatsoever in their learning since FaceTiming lessons. I personally have no desire to have the students back in my home until long after this is over. But I teach young children as well and I already had to clean the entire piano and room between lessons!

INeedNewShoes · 27/05/2020 08:14

I'm hoping we'll be able to resume at the start of July when hairdressers are allowed to open. Any businesses that involve prolonged contract with the client aren't allowed to open in June, which I'd assume includes us music teachers.

When I do resume I will use a keyboard while my pupil uses the piano so that at least we're not touching the same keys.

I understand you finding the online teaching hard. I do to; it's more intense and involves more planning and allowing time for getting the Zoom meeting set up etc. means I'm allowing 65 minutes for every hour lesson now.

LaureBerthaud · 27/05/2020 08:14

Start now. Bowl of warm, soapy water for students to wash hands on arrival. You wash your hands between students. Face mask for you.

Original poster
billybagpuss · 27/05/2020 08:16

@lalal I do really feel for her, I think it ‘went’ like this just before lockdown during that dreadful weather at the beginning of the year. She usually practices at school in the practice rooms.

OP posts:
Original poster
billybagpuss · 27/05/2020 08:19

@INeedNewShoes it is more taxing, but I have found it very interesting too, particularly the number sitting too low that I’ve made go and find a cushion, then another that kept stopping to unstick a B flat key, which made so many issues make sense.

OP posts:
ellesbellesxxx · 27/05/2020 08:22

Music teacher here too..I usually wind down for summer anyway so I was planning to just offer online lessons July/August then hopefully go back to teaching face to face in September.

Original poster
billybagpuss · 27/05/2020 08:25

I think that’s where I’m at too @elles but I might ask my adults back earlier.

OP posts:
GabriellaMontez · 27/05/2020 08:27

Do you plan to maintain 2m?

Or sit next to your student? If it's the latter, then July.

Also is it well ventilated?

shufflestep · 27/05/2020 09:53

I'm having all the same thoughts, the idea about bringing in an electric piano for demonstration purposes is a good one. Obviously there can be no hanging around between lessons because of avoiding people crossing over. I also teach in school two and a half days a week, goodness knows when that will return, as it doesn't fit with the bubbles at all.