Music teachers coming to house? Usual now?

[Bogburglar99]

DS who isn't remotely musical has expressed a desire to learn a brass instrument. OK by me ...

Have contacted a couple of teachers and both say they would come to the house. No problem but is that normal these days? Seems a very five star service! I only remember going to teachers' houses when I learnt music - just possibly because I learnt piano, of course ...

My dc went to their piano teacher's house, but trumpet, flute and guitar teacher came here

My piano teacher came to the house when I was growing up - I concede that was a slightly unusual relationship though (he used to stay and have tea, too )

I think many young adults these days may not have a suitable space to teach in at their own home. Say if they are living in a communal house, or even with their parents. So in that case it would make sense for them to come to you. Also, I was told when I was younger, if there is a problem with a pupil or parent, it is easier to walk out of a house, than to remove someone from your own house.
But of course it means that you will be paying their travel expenses and travel time. Six of one, half a dozen of another really.
What instrument has your DS chosen?

The trumpet When I say 'not remotely musical' I don't really mean that - he can carry a tune and has a decent sense of rhythm. More that 'he's 10, has never shown much interest before and doesn't read music etc'. Time will tell ...

Both normal.

My saxophone teacher came to our house when I was young (20+ years ago!). A saxophone is more portable than a piano.

I take DD to her teachers' houses, piano and clarinet. I would probably prefer the clarinet at home but I suspect the lesson will be more expensive and DD may play up being on her own theritory such as "I need the toilet and I will take a lot of time to wash my hands, oh look at my toys, have I shown you my new game on the iPad?"

No problem that he doesn't yet read music, as that obviously is one of the main things a teacher would teach him!

What class music does he do at school, if any? What kinds of music does he listen to and enjoy?

What is your own knowledge, experience and interest in music? And how far did you get with piano?

Thanks for the reassurance folks. Good point about reading music

In answer to your question ferguson I played piano up to around Grade 8 level. Modest levels of musicality held back by a complete lack of enthusiasm for scales. Strings up to Grade 5/6. Lots of enjoyment of singing in small chapel choirs at university and big choruses thereafter.

DS has a great specialist music teacher at state primary so has had some good general music, and sang in their very inclusive school choir for a term. He's just never seemed bothered before so feeling that the trumpet may be a short lived and noisy enthusiasm. But who knows?

Dh does a bit of both. He goes to some and some come here. Tbh I can't cope with many pupils here (dh is a brass teacher) so I encourage him to go to theirs! It's not so much the sound, but the same warming up and scales that drive me to distraction.

40 years ago our brass teacher came to our house. Always finished with tea and home made cake. We had to go to piano teacher's house and when younger was scared of her doorbell so gave up quickly. When at sec school restarted with same teacher....

OP - so that is great you will be able to support DS with music, and later if he has pieces that need an accompaniment, you should be able to provide it.

Scales - and Theory - are unfortunately, a necessary part of not just 'playing' music, but also 'understanding' it.

If in due course, he wants to buy a trumpet, if he has lessons via school, they may be able to purchase at a favourable price, and without VAT.

Trumpet is a transposing instrument, normally in 'Bflat', so if you play together one of you will need to take that into account.

It is also useful for students to LISTEN to a wide range of music. So, for trumpet: Alison Balsom; Louis Armstrong; Miles Davis; Wynton Marsalis; Guy Barker; Lee Morgan; Chet Baker.

All will be on YouTube.