Music:asking for a change of tutor?

[DazzlePaintedBattlePants]

DD does 2 instruments at a Saturday music school (not JD but CYM). She’s absolutely not any kind of music superstar but works hard.

One of her instrument tutors is really not right for her. The tutor is very old school (whilst being quite young), doesn’t write any notes in her practice notebook and is generally quite harsh. As an adult musician who takes lessons myself, I find the level of instruction not to be suitable for a 9 year old - I want to see more discrete homework tasks, and frankly a better attitude with children in general.

I don’t think it’s DD. She has a fab time with her other instrument tutor and group tutors, and she practices diligently (often with tears for this instrument) every night. I’d like to ask for a change of tutor but does anyone have any experience of doing this? Awkward tutor is very well regarded as a musician.

I feel a right twit as I am somewhat scared to bring this up with the administrators, but DD is not enjoying it!

Hi OP - I'll send you a pm - but essentially I think you should ask - and they should listen (especially with the 'no notes' thing which we've just had with our daughter, who is older)...if your DD is crying then that's not right at all... nine is too young for all that.

Now's the time to ask, while they're doing the timetables!

Ultimately, you're paying for this. I know it feels awkward but if there are other teachers she could have, then I would have a word and say the style of teaching just isn't clicking with her and you think her being upset won't help her progress, so while you have the greatest respect for the teacher (yes, I favour the overly nice method of complaining!), you'd like her to change.

Good luck, let us know what happens x

Thanks both, and for the PMs. Time to put my big girl pants on. There are definitely other tutors for this instrument, so I’m going to send an email asking for a chat on Saturday…

We have changed our children's instrumental tutors a number of times over the years. You are paying for a service that has to work on three sides, tutor, child and parent. Not unreasonable to change.

Absolutely ask! My DS wasted three years at a JD with the wrong teacher. Swapped in upper 6th and had a great year.

We changed tutors at CYM for my son. It was quite a specific reason why it wasn't the right fit, but I just requested a change via the department head and went from there. My experience is that they want the students to be happy and progress so would definitely raise concerns and start seeing if there are options.