| Often, you will see advice that recommends you ask | | | | understanding of young people, the learning process |
| family or friends if they know a good music instructor. | | | | may be quite dull. Look for energetic, understanding, |
| While this is a good starting spot for finding reliable | | | | inspiring people who also happen to be very well |
| teachers, I often suggest that parents view the | | | | educated in music, and find the one that your child |
| interviews with prospective teachers as being the | | | | really likes. |
| most important first step in choosing the right piano | | | | Mini-Lessons |
| teacher for your child. Here's why. | | | | One thing that is very important to find, is a teacher |
| What Works For Your Own Child Is Best | | | | who includes a mini-lesson with your child as part of |
| Often, well meaning family and friends will point you | | | | the interview process. I have personally done this in my |
| toward piano teachers that are good instructors. And it | | | | own piano studio since I began. Doing this provides a |
| is certainly true that recommendations and referrals | | | | set of valuable pieces of information. First, it tells me |
| are the best way to learn who the best instructors are | | | | how well the prospective new student responds to |
| in a certain area. But, because the piano lesson | | | | me. Second, it tells the prospective student's parents |
| process is a potentially long one, lasting over many | | | | how well their child responds to me. Third, it gives the |
| years, you really want to find the piano teacher that | | | | parents a good idea of what my lessons will include. |
| will bring out the excitement of learning in your child. | | | | Fourth, it gives the parents a good idea of what will be |
| You need the piano teacher that just clicks with your | | | | expected of their child in the early stages of lessons. |
| child and understands you and your needs. | | | | Fifth, it demonstrates to parents that I have an open |
| Interviews Are Your Most Important Tool | | | | and welcoming studio. |
| Quite frankly, a piano teacher might have all the | | | | Your Budget |
| diplomas, certificates, and awards in the world, and still | | | | Piano teachers are aware that parents must consider |
| not be the best teacher for your child. This is a bold | | | | their budgets before entering piano lessons. Private |
| statement, but fair. Many teachers have these things, | | | | lessons are a long-term commitment to their children. |
| and don't really like to teach children. What you need | | | | Piano teachers in your area will have an average |
| for that first teacher is a combination of parent, friend, | | | | range of fees. You will need to determine what that |
| music enthusiast, sports coach, and teacher all rolled up | | | | range is, and choose the teacher that suits your |
| into one person. Why? Because children respond well | | | | budget. It is not true that the more expensive teachers |
| to people who have not forgotten what it is like to | | | | are better. It is more true to say that the teacher that |
| think young. You don't really need to find a young | | | | teaches your child best is the better teacher for you. |
| teacher to have these things. You can find them in | | | | You will need to decide the best combination of |
| teachers that have been teaching for many, many | | | | teacher and budget for you, while keeping in mind the |
| years. But, without enthusiasm for the teaching | | | | one that had the best rapport with your child. |
| process, a life long love for music, and a keen | | | | |