Would you employ me as a musical instrument tutor?

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Hi
I am considering a career change following a long period of illness and change in personal circumstances.
I would love to pursue my lifelong passion for music as a part time career.
I would be really grateful to hear your views on whether you would employ me as a flute, recorder and music theory tutor.
A bit of background....I have been playing instruments since I was 4 and played in various youth orchestras and bands as a child and teen. Almost 40 years later I still play several instruments to a high standard and perform with amateur groups.
My educational background....I have a degree in Medicine, passed with distinction in the top 2% of my year, I have an intercalated BScHons as well, so I am fairly academic. I worked as an NHS medical doctor for 20 years, during which time I specialised and passed membership exams for the Royal College in my specialism.
I haven't worked for the last year due to a number of reasons but have been studying and taking some further exams.
Here are my musical certificates...
DipABRSM diploma in flute teaching 2022
ARSM performance diploma in flute, distinction 2021
Grade 8 distinction Flute
Grade 8 distinction Recorder
Grade 8 merit Piano
Grade 8 merit Clarinet
Grade 8 distinction Music Theory
Grade 5 Cello (a lockdown project just for funsies)
My plan is to start teaching flute, recorder and music theory for beginners to may be around grade 6. Perhaps when I get more experience I would extend to Grade 8 and consider taking the LRSM in teaching.
The ABRSM website says the dipabrsm is suitable to teach up to grade 6 and LRSM up to grade 8.
I do not have a music degree or any formal education qualifications. I already spent 6 years at university so it is not something that I can realistically pursue at my age. I have, however, studied child development and psychology as part of my membership exams in my medical specialty. I also think I have many transferable skills useful for teaching - communication skills, listening skills, being able to explain complex concepts at an appropriate level, empathy, attention to detail, good organisational skills etc etc. I have also received annual child protection training.
My questions is, would YOU consider me as a flute/recorder teacher given my background? I am looking to start out by visiting students in their own homes, both adults and children. I have a full DBS check, public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
Or would you only employ a tutor with a degree (or higher) in music?
This is so helpful to me, so thanks for reading and replying.
Dr M.

That would be more than enough for me to hire you.

Sorry that should say 2021 for the Dip.

Yes,especially with the teaching diploma. A lot of good musicians can't teach...you have studied how to.

Those sound like a great badis for teaching. I have one teacher for my kids who 'only' has grade 8 piano and had been a choir director and accompanist. She has a great manner, she researches lots of different music for her pupils, she is great at getting them singing for the aural. I have another teacher who is a professional orchestral musicians with a masters. He is great for my other child. I think you need to just go for it. With recorder, maybe having a group they can play in would be great too ad it will keep them engaged. There's so much music for recorder ensemble. Maybe also look at more mature learners to help fill up your day time hours if you want that, otherwise it will just be after school work. Good luck following your dream

Maybe join some fb music instructor or abrsm exam pages as well to get some tips. Work out a payment scheme and contract as that often seems to cause stress. Eg pay in advance, hour much notice etc.

Thank you!

Thanks Biatch and Murasaki...sorry I'm new to this and not sure I'm replying to the right bit!

I've always gone to the tutor's home, they don't come to us btw - that would really reduce the amount of teaching time available if you are travelling between lessons. If you don't want to teach at your own home for a particular reason, consider giving lessons during the day in schools as a peri music teacher or at a weekend group.

How would you feel about teaching youngsters who have been stuck on book 1 for two years, and never practice in between lessons? And who can't remember what they learned a fortnight ago, never mind last year. DH says that's the hardest part, really. The kids can't be bothered, and are only coming because their parents want them to. But if you tell the parents the truth, in that there's no point in continuing, you are doing yourself out of income.

Thanks horsey...yes that is a very good point regarding the contract. I think Musicians Union has sample contracts. I'm not very assertive so probably will have to set out the rules from the beginning to save any upset.
I'm thinking mainly evenings and weekends to fit around childcare but could defo have some adults daytime during term time to give me more options.
Im super excited but also rather scared. I think it's something I could be good at but probably won't know til I try. I am a mum and (think) I'm good with kids which may also help.

Takeitandleaveit...
Yes that does sound pretty shit. I have considered these things though. I am well aware what kids can be like. I'm not asking whether people think I will enjoy it or cope with it...just whether you would employ me or not. Thanks!

I don't really care about the backgrounds of my dc's music teachers.
I want teachers who engage my dc and make learning an enjoyable process.

My ds has had the same music teacher for five years, he has moved from teaching him clarinet to mostly music theory and composition.

Most importantly he has stuck with my ds through an ADHD diagnosis, some physical health issues and endless talk about rap music.

I couldn't rate the bloke more highly and neither could my ds despite the fact he is a stroppy teen. The teacher is an accomplished musician but I value his soft skills.

So yes I would hire you OP.

Chiccroissant....thanks, yes I have considered that already. Unfortunately I cant teach at home for a number of reasons. However I live in a densely populated area of my city where travel is very quick at the times I'll be travelling. Gives me a breather between lessons too.
I would love to be a peri in schools but don't think I'm qualified enough?

Yep. I used to teach with just the grade 8s and a performance diploma, prior to getting a music degree. No problem finding pupils.

Definitely! DS’s guitar teacher has zero qualifications in music or otherwise, but he plays really well, has infectious enthusiasm and DS adores him. To me, those are the things that matter.

Calmlakes thanks for this I'm glad you've had such a positive experience with your son's teacher, sounds great.

Oviraptor - interesting to hear that, thanks. I'd love a music degree but it's just not really feasible now!

Howmanysleepsnow that's good to hear!

I would hire someone who’s a good musician and a good teacher. On paper you have all of the qualifications. I wouldn’t expect a music degree, I’d be happy with someone who’s passionate about playing and knows how to teach music.

However - having the right bits of paper is all well and good but you need to actually be a good teacher. I ditched my first music teacher after several months because he was qualified on paper but he just wasn’t a very good teacher. My new music teacher has less qualifications but is a much better teacher.

Emarjha thanks for the reply. A very good point. I guess I won't know for sure until I try but I've certainly considered the practicalities of teaching and what qualities make a good teacher.

Ps I know what you mean about bad teachers. When I was at university I started learning violin from an absolutely incredible violinist but he couldn't teach for toffee. He had me on the Beethoven Romance on the 3rd lesson and seemed puzzled that I sounded like a cat having its teeth pulled. I gave up after that haha.

I work in classical music (have a music degree) and I would definitely give you a go. Your qualifications are more than enough for the lower grades and the child psychology stuff is really useful but it would be worth doing that next teaching diploma eventually I think. It would all depend then on how you got on with DC and whether you could inspire them to look forward to their lessons and actually do some practice!

Another thing you could look into if you're a decent pianist is examining for ABRSM and/or Trinity.

(Oh actually just reread and I much prefer it when lessons take place at the teacher's house so I would probably pass because of that - just such a pain to be tidy and in control of other DC and pets etc - but I'm sure many people wouldn't mind. If it became a problem there are teaching spaces you can hire fairly cheaply so maybe that could top up your week if you couldn't find enough students who wanted to learn in their own home.)

Thought you might like this OP 🩺🎼

Yes. You seem very musical and have a lot of decent level qualifications plus you'll know what to do if a child swallows their reed 😂

Perfect.