Piano teachers - would this put you off?

[notonacokebottle]

We have moved and I need to find DS a new piano teacher. I don't know anyone in the area, so I am basically searching through Google and FB for anyone who seems to be near enough and qualified. I have identified a couple of possibilities but of course I don't know if they'd be any good for DS or not. Would it come across as odd if I ask both for a trial lesson with me sitting in (silently) to see how it goes? Or would that make them feel too uncomfortable and give the impression I am likely to be That Parent? I'm sure it would be obvious that they are in effect, on trial, but not sure if they would mind that or not!

Sounds like a great idea to me. Due diligence!
It will give you & DS a chance to get a much better idea than a formal interview ever could. And surely no-one expects to get a job without being checked out first?
If a piano teacher or any tutor for that matter were reluctant to do this I think that's enough reason to be wary.

Good luck, hope you find an excellent piano teacher.

I always do a trial, so I can make sure that the child and parents are both people who I feel I can teach/ work with. I do charge for this trial though, they can just pay for the individual trial lesson rather than signing up for the term.

So yes of course ask them. 👍 Just bear in mind that you and your child will be on trial in their mind too. 😉

How old is your son? I know that my DP, who is a piano teacher, always does trials for new students and positively welcomes parents coming to the lessons, not just at the beginning but whenever they can (for the younger kids at least). It helps get everyone on the same page with expectations, what the kid needs to practice, and the parents can help at home to reinforce what the teacher does in the lessons.

Is there a local Facebook page you can ask for recommendations?

Very normal to ask for a trial lesson; teacher will prob ask for one if you don't anyway. I think whether you'd expect parents to go along would depend on child's age and teacher's normal style (one of ours hates having parents in; one encourages it; one I came along for trial and first few lessons until child was settled then stopped).

I wouldn't ask for a free lesson but my daughter's teacher is happy anytime to let us sit listening to class.

Yes, it's normal to pay for the trial lesson. In fact I would try to insist if refused, because I don't like feeling indebted to someone at the same point we're trying to decide whether they're the right fit or not. Child has already got benefit from hearing someone different's ideas even if it's just a trial.

Yes, ask for a trial lesson, making it clear that you would expect to pay for it, and you sitting in ought to be fine. We needed a new teacher when DD was about 12, and had trial lessons with two teachers, with me there; both were fine about it, and knew that we were trying out someone else as well.

My ds’ piano teacher offered a free trial with me sat in there. I paid for the second and third lesson but still sat in
I left them to it after that