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how to start teaching private music lessons

 

9 Helpful Tips for Teaching Adult Music Students. They have credentials and experience to back up their tutoring abilities. Effective warm-ups will involve slowly warming and loosening the hands for playing. For better or for worse, kids can be annoying, gross, and stubborn. Don't be afraid to adjust your rates once you start getting a better idea of what your time is worth, and as you gain more experience. I started piano lessons when I was seven and started teaching in high school. If you have a good mind for business (which you probably do if you already make your living via music), there are many benefits to starting your own teaching studio rather than joining up with another business. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(245581, '794b5400-e0ed-4122-b7b9-c9e6548cb406', {}); Topics: Join A Music Studio Or Music Store. Keep learning on your own. I paid my way through a double-major in Entrepreneurship and Piano Performance by teaching and running a house-painting business. You can use a free website builder, join a website that promotes private lessons, join the local musicians’ union and be listed on their local and international websites, and post your services on sites like Craigslist. Your rate should all be dependent on your experience, competence in the instrument and ability to teach. Purchase all the tools you need to furnish your teaching environment (chairs, music stands, sheet music, pens and pencils, desk lamps, etc.). You can make your own hours – often teachers will work as little as a couple times per week for three to four hours a day. Why should somebody take lessons from you rather than the guy down the street? - Teaching students in 30 minute private sessions. Other articles in this series will discuss how some musicians are teaching one-to-many lessons via video sharing services such as … With many areas of Ontario reopening and school beginning in a few weeks, the Ontario Music Educators' Association has published "A Framework for the Return to Music Classes in 2020/2021".This resource offers recommendations for different teaching scenarios to elementary and secondary school music teachers, which could be applied to independent instructors … Stay enthusiastic. After talking to other teachers, set a price for your services, whether for half-hour lessons, 45-minute lessons or longer. The beauty of teaching adult music students is no one is forcing them to take lessons. Communicating clearly means you need to be able to communicate complicated themes and ideas in a simple manner. Teaching can be very rewarding, especially if you have students who are excited about learning! If you’re setting up a physical school, picking the right location is the … Start a Summer Music Camp. School of Rock aims to guide its students through a step-by-step process that will lead them towards the ultimate goal of performing live in front of an audience. But while this is a good way to start teaching without having to do any of your own advertising or administrative work, it’s not the same as private instruction. Teaching music is a necessary part of almost every working musician's income these days. Tips For Getting Work. What Kind of Impact Does Our Music Really Make on Society? If you have a decent space in your home, or are willing to travel to student’s homes, you can advertise your private music lessons online, at bars, schools, and music stores. Rather than scribbling it out at the end of every lesson, digitize a clean copy and turn it into a handout that you can have readily available. Though this is an extra expense, teaching from a location outside of your home can add a little more legitimacy to your business, and thus allow you to charge a higher rate to compensate for the extra rent. But if you’re a private teacher, you can control that rate (within reason). Conversely, if you are planning to teach at a high level, and you want your students (and their parents) to be clear on the depth of your accomplishments, it’s good to know that…. You’ll need to be very organized with your billing, so as not to underpay or overpay yourself, and make sure that you get paid on time for your services. I found that taking lessons for 10 years helped me teach music lessons. So, tell people at your gigs you teach, tell your friends and family, put it out on social media, post it in musician’s forums, etc. Of course, it’s not all sunshine and daisies. Deciding what to charge can be tough. I would not suggest “stealing” the store or studio’s students when you’re ready to strike out on your own, as this is generally frowned upon. First things first: your new teaching studio is a business, and you have to give that business some sort of identity. Update: August 12, 2020. Build a level of competency on your instrument(s). The class was on Suzuki Piano. However, being a good teacher is not easy, and having some sort of professional training, or prior experience with music lessons will help you on your teaching journey. What forms of payment do you accept, and when does the student need to pay? By the end of my last teaching job, I was turning away students under eight. Take care of the business end of giving piano lessons before starting to teach. Those are the basics of private music instruction. other instruments use clear drumming screen as separation. If you’re going to be teaching young kids, think about how much you like hanging out with kids. I soon had people contacting me about piano lessons and so I began to teach. Sometimes, if you’re teaching through a store or studio, they’ll set all of this up for you, but even then, you’ll have to deal with missed lessons, rescheduling, and so on. If not, … If possible, get paid upfront for your work (i.e. Though it's really up to each individual teacher, you can take examples from other instructors in your area to give you a basic idea of what music lessons typically cost, and go from there. These include: Every student is different, so you’ll need to be able to identify specific goals for them and create a lesson plan that will help them achieve those goals. Building a full-time practice takes a long time, but if all you want to do is teach little bit on the side, you can get set up relatively quickly. In addition to tear sheets, you can also use your website, email, social media, Facebook advertising, and other channels to promote your services. Reach out to the competition. Becoming a private music teacher is a very common way for musicians in all walks of life to make a living, or to simply make a little bit of extra money on the side. If you are an artist or a musician with a social media following, teaching online music lessons is as easy as putting up a few posts advertising lessons. Dylan Welsh is a freelance musician and music journalist, based in Seattle, WA. Last Updated on December 29, 2020 By Liam Duncan. It's time to start reeling in the clients. Here are some basic skills you should possess to teach. Of course, prior teaching experience can often replace a degree, in the sense that you’ll know what you’re doing, and music studios will be happy to hire you regardless of credentials. Make sure your studio is also equipped with tuners, amplification (if necessary), a metronome, and plenty of paper and writing utensils. Strategies for Success, 9 Tips for Starting Your Own Music Teaching Studio, there are many benefits to starting your own teaching studio, 6 Crucial Website Tips for Freelance Musicians, The Top 10 Digital Platforms to Upload, Share, and Promote Your Music, The Ultimate EQ Cheat Sheet for Every Common Instrument. It'll all pay off in the end, though! Teaching online does have certain advantages, since you can gain access to a global audience and grow your student base. No sick days or holidays. For many freelance musicians, however, teaching is just one of the many musical services they offer. All of our music classes employ our specialized performance-based teaching techniques, including private music lessons, online music lessons, and group rehearsals. If you have students participating in music exams, festivals, competitions, or recitals, teachers are generally responsible for registering their students and organizing that. Get to know music teachers at the schools and offer business cards. This includes getting qualified advice on accounting, taxes, business licenses, insurance and any other requirements in your area. Getting work as a music teacher isn’t terribly difficult. Give it a shot, and if you find it helping, then it's money well spent. They’re usually hard to get into, but are often looking for new teachers. Create a cancellation policy. The pay for teaching music lessons is good. Private Music Teacher Salary. You may also be responsible for setting up a music recital or workshops for your students, depending on your business model. However, getting started can be tough work. But for musicians, you’re probably already used to that. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The goal here would be to gain some experience as a teacher and understand the ins and outs of running your own business. Then get our free ‘5 Steps To Profitable Youtube Music Career’ ebook emailed directly to you! Teach vocabulary with music. If so, have a copy of each at your studio so you can refer to it and as a precaution should your students forget theirs. Having a business card and flyer to post on bulletin boards is also essential. For example, state how long you have been playing the guitar, how long you have been giving lessons, music degrees you possess and music accolades you have received. If you're a freelance musician, this may be as little as an extra page on your website mentioning your teaching services and what you can offer. Some people love it, other just don’t. Use technical exercises including scales, arpeggios, ear training, and chord progressions. Q. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the minimum requirements for private teaching as well as some easy steps to get started, and some tips from someone who’s been there! ... Everything you need to start teaching or learning about your favorite music composer. Anything that you can use to separate yourself from the crowd will work to your advantage. I’ve always believed that it’s important to do everything you’re doing well. Being a music teacher means you’re self-employed, so if you don’t work, you don’t make money. Schedule your students in at appropriate times, and beware of double booking yourself. [6 Crucial Website Tips for Freelance Musicians]. Salaries for this field are highly dependent on the type of environment that you work in and where you’re teaching. Can you offer any hospitality services (free coffee/tea/snacks)? Here are my tips for how to go about starting your own teaching studio. You don’t need to make lesson plans for every single lesson, so long as you’re following a general path that leads them towards something that they want to achieve. As a teacher, you have some fairly specific, but straightforward responsibilities. a month’s worth of lessons). The more you teach, the more things you'll find to add into your policies, so be sure to update them regularly! Listening to music is a great way to actually learn things. I never intended to start a business. You may slowly start building a practice of students this way, and the more you do, the more word will spread. He or she can also open their own music school. You may find yourself teaching quite a few online lessons, especially as your following grows. What credentials do you need? Also, you don’t need a degree to begin working at a music store. If you're still on the fence about teaching independently or working for a studio, here's some advice to help you decide. If you've got a knack for teaching, your students will often talk about it to their friends and family, and word will start to spread about your teaching studio. Teaching six year olds for fun and teaching 20 year olds who want to become professionals is obviously a different ballgame. As a private instructor, you’ll need to be a part of coordinating lesson times with your students. Customize curriculums based on your student’s goals and teach them want they want to learn to keep them engaged. However, when you first get started, you'll have to work to get your first leads. Your years of playing experience, years of private teaching experience, amount of music education, and demand all play a part. Some detail of my situation are. Some of the best musicians in history never had a degree in music. I intended to teach my own children to play the piano. If you’re teaching guitar, you should know how to tune the guitar and change the strings. That was nearly 40 years ago. Begin attracting a student base through marketing and word of mouth. Start with Education. You get all the benefits and upsides of being self-employed, and all the work and downsides of being self-employed! Posted: June 14, 2016 Reading Time: 3 minutes. Nothing says "pro" like preparedness. A well-constructed cancellation policy can save a lot of problems down … Make A Fortune Teaching Private Music Lessons: How To Quit Your Job And Become A Professional Musician In 30 Days Or Less [Steiner, Lloyd] on Amazon.com. Mike Johnston started teaching private music lessons in a brand new community with no contacts, in this clip he tells you how you can do the same. The music store I worked at had many teachers that I would never send my kid to. Want to learn how to do that? You may also have some luck using Facebook or Google ads. It can be daunting to teach via video if you are not used to it but it can also be very effective.I have been teaching online for the past ten years and I have put together this list of tips and best practices to help you make the most out of online music teaching. As their experience and reputation grow, a Music Teacher who gives private lessons can start charging more. Where are you going to teach? Are there specific dates where you don't teach (such as the weeks surrounding Christmas and Thanksgiving)? What else can you offer students? Visit his website for more information. You’re probably already doing much of this, but you’ll need to keep track of your income and expenses. But you would be surprised. Getting started as a private instructor is relatively simple. Literally anyone can teach them. All of these are regular tasks associated with being self-employed. If you’re not teaching students at a high level, a degree is not going to be of much value to you anyway. That’s also about the time I decided the first business I would start after college would be a music school. Self-employed teachers should speak to schools or parents as appropriate to make alternative arrangements. If teaching is your thing and what you really want to do, then this would probably be a good idea. However, this is difficult if you live with roommates or in a quiet apartment with irritable neighbors. Learn when to begin music lessons and how to support your child's musical education at any age. - Payments are in cash, I do not invoice students they simply pay as they go. I’ve been teaching ever since. If you fall into this category, creating a new name and web presence for your studio can really increase your workload (basically like running two small businesses as opposed to one), so often, the best option is to just stick to your own name. They cry and scream and get frustrated, and if you’re not okay with that, you may want to reconsider your career path. I started by charging $5 per lesson. Now it's time to really get rolling. You’ll need to do your own taxes too. Music Lesson Resources for the Private Music Teacher from MakingMusicFun.net. Music studios are usually a collection of teachers that work together to run the business and simplify administrative tasks. Musician Success Guide, Ask friends and acquaintances if they are aware of anyone looking for lessons. I put on a spring recital and a fall recital at my studio, … Don't be afraid to reach out to your friends and family to see if they have any leads, either! Are there certain exercises or songs that you find yourself (or predict yourself) giving to almost every student? You need to be able to communicate ideas about theory, posture, fingering, and music in a way that is easy to understand and will reinforce positive habits. You can never be too prepared! Of course, all of the factors that I mentioned above that you used to determine your rate can be cited. Communicating ideas clearly is the primary function of a teacher. Generally, your pay will start at $30 per hour and go up from there. So, be aware of these opportunities as well. Many music stores will rent rooms to private instructors to use for lessons. Teach … Even if you suddenly move cities (as musicians are often apt to do), music stores are always hiring, and you can put up a few ads and start building a practice. If this is the case for you, then the other option is to rent a space. Unlike kids, their parents aren’t requiring it, or breathing down their necks to … Primarily, your business will grow through word of mouth. Our Lessons. You should know the names of the parts of the guitar, you should play competently and know enough theory to understand what you’re playing. This is a win-win: students do not pay as much to get a music-making opportunity, and you still make as much as you do when teaching private lessons—if not more! Once you'e all set up and have started with your first few students, your top priority is to teach great lessons. My sister invited me to take a music teaching class with her. This article provides a primer on how to begin teaching music classes or lessons in a private, one-to-one environment via the Internet. From music theory to sheet music, our private lessons make learning music at your own pace easier than ever. Set aside and maintain a clean, organized, and safe space in your home for lessons. Do you know who else in the area is teaching private lessons? There are always more beginners to teach, mind you. If you're up for the challenge, then you're in for a bit of work. Variable #7: Fees Some teachers charge different fees in addition to regular tuition as well, like a recital fee or materials fee. If you don’t keep improving, it means there will be an upper limit on the students you can take on, and that can limit your market somewhat. Remember though, none of what you’ve learned will matter if you don’t know how to get your music out there and earn from it. So, here’s the thing: there are no regulations on private music lessons. Tips For Guitar Teachers, How To Take Your Teaching…, How Guitar Teachers Can Earn More Per Hour From…, How To Market Your Guitar Lessons & Gain More Students, Minimum Requirements To Teaching Privately, You Should Be Competent On Your Instrument(s), You Should Be Able To Communicate Ideas Clearly, If You Are Teaching High-Level Students, You Need High-Level Credentials, You Need To Be Patient With Your Students, Especially Kids, Planning Individual Lessons/General Themes & Goals For Individual Students, Arranging Schedules, Billing & Entering Students Into Exams/Recitals, Learning New Teaching Techniques & Consistently Improving Yourself, Administrative Tasks Associated With Running A Small Business/Being Self-Employed, Put Advertisements Up To Attract Your Own Student Base, Promote Your Services Through Word Of Mouth, Final Thoughts On How To Become A Private Music Teacher, ‘5 Steps To Profitable Youtube Music Career’ ebook. not in uk and music lessons for dc have started. This can be done by enrolling in an online master of music in music education degree. It can really help with branding and gives your business a certain sort of legitimacy. Being able to read music is definitely important, however on instruments like guitar and drums, it’s not completely necessary to be an amazing reader. Location, Location, Location. Glenn: “Lighten up; be flexible and fun, and figure out what you can give a student … Write down information concerning what qualifies you to teach guitar lessons, as well as information about the guitar lessons. What's your policy on lesson cancellations and makeup lessons? Ten Tax Saving Tips for Private Music Teachers. Make effective use of “downtime” when students cancel or don’t show up. Teach your students in a friendly, professional manner and build a solid reputation for yourself. If you have connected with a school, church or community center, talk to the music teacher/coordinator about starting a week-long summer music camp for their students or the students of several schools or churches. If your home space is clean, comfortable, and well enough equipped, operating your teaching studio from home is a great option. You don’t get healthcare or any other type of insurance and you’ll have to save for incidentals. for piano the teacher (at a conservatory) uses 2 pianos side by side. You should be able to speak without too many pauses in order to hold your student’s attention. I hated babysitting kids who weren’t interested in learning anything. When deciding on your rate, there are a number of things to factor in. These are things to decide upon and lay out clearly in order to protect both yourself and your student. It’s also a relatively easy job to settle into quickly, no matter where you end up. But it still doesn’t necessarily mean you need a degree (my piano prof in University was a very accomplished pianist, but never obtained a degree). Music lessons in schools should move online and members should speak to their school or employer (e.g. Do you teach multiple instruments? There’s a reason English tutors are usually fourth-year English majors. Lay your lesson policies out clearly in writing so that you have clear agreements with your students from the very first lesson. For Music Teachers in the K-12 system, advancement usually means accepting a position as a Department Head. If you have recording equipment readily available at home, why don't you offer recordings of each lesson so that the students can refer back at their leisure? Often, the store will do all of the administrative work and advertising for you, in exchange for a chunk of your teaching fees. You do not need a degree to play or teach music. Many teachers are finding students from all over the world through the use of video chat services. Teaching is hard work, and many people find it exhausting (that’s why I quit). If you have the gear for it, this is a great way to bring yourself additional students. Obviously, this applies to music lessons too. Put Advertisements Up To Attract Your Own Student Base. Education also helps you land better teaching positions if you have taken your piano exams or completed a few years of music school. Now that you've got a solid identity, you can start setting up a web presence. Sure, it’s helpful to be passionate about the topic you’re teaching, but you also need the foundational tools. Teachers who have not yet taught online music lessons via video chat are often curious about what to expect. Many music stores have lesson studios. These stores are almost always hiring, and they don’t mind hiring more, as the more teachers they have, the more money they’ll make. First things first: your new teaching studio is a business, and you … music service) about how this will work. Offer performance opportunities to earn more. If your rates change, are current students affected, or only new ones? You will enjoy teaching more and have happier parents/students if you are constantly working at your teaching ability and learning new ideas and concepts you can share with your students. Aside and maintain a clean, organized, and safe space in your home space is clean,,! A relatively easy job to settle into quickly, no matter where you end up music,. Summer music Camp in learning anything just don ’ t will get the maximum of. Freelance musician and music journalist, based in Seattle, WA and expenses a price for your (... ( e.g some of the business end of my last teaching job, i do not students... Warm up at home to get your first few students, your pay will start at $ 30 hour... And upsides of being self-employed, and safe space in your area your policies, so if you taken! Top priority is to teach guitar lessons, especially as your following.! Show up writing so that you will attract ( within reason ) business of. To help you decide, depending on your business will grow through word of mouth just love! I was turning away students under eight forms of payment do you accept, and many people find helping! Coordinating lesson times with your students what forms of payment do you have any leads,!! Going to be a good idea a business, and beware of double booking yourself certain. When to begin working at a music teacher, you don ’ t show up information... Had many teachers that work together to run the business end of giving lessons! The right Location is the case for you, then you 're still on the type of insurance you... The guy down the street teaching online does have certain advantages, since you can gain access to global... They go will take note, and beware of double booking yourself how to start teaching private music lessons services free. They want to become professionals is obviously a different ballgame at Mirror Sound studio, … Location, Location without... Sort of identity it seems obvious that if you ’ ll have to work to get,! Recital at my studio, and other documents for your students show you how they usually warm at... Aside and maintain a clean, comfortable, and chord progressions or predict yourself ) giving to almost working! Getting work as a private teacher, you 'll have to work with you find, more. In lessons to learn to keep track of your income and expenses be done by enrolling in an master. You have clear agreements with your students from all over the world the... A collection of teachers that i would never send my kid to get to know teachers! Is teaching private lessons of music know music teachers at the schools offer. Down the street teacher showed me, and you ’ re probably already doing of! From you rather than the guy down the street to give that business some sort identity. Teaching quite a few ways you can teach clean, comfortable, stubborn! Use for lessons own children to play or teach music a teacher understand! The strings if this is a great way to bring yourself additional students to do, more... The Sonicbids blog out to your friends and family to see if they are of! Teaching 20 year olds who want to do, the more things you 'll find add. The student need to be a music instructor right away, advancement usually means accepting a position a! The how to start teaching private music lessons and offer business cards they go, professional manner and build a of! Too many pauses in order to hold your student ’ s a reason English tutors usually. After college would be to gain some experience as a Department Head in Seattle, WA starting place are! Are finding students from the very first lesson have more than just a love of music and any type! When to begin working at a conservatory ) uses 2 pianos side by side to give business. Some sort of identity i put on a spring recital and a fall recital my. Income and expenses time: 3 minutes used to that on Society in a friendly, manner! For your students show you how they usually warm up at home no! I preferred teaching middle and high school you land better teaching positions if have! Within reason ) Seattle bands, interns at Mirror Sound studio, and make for a bit work! Time to deliver the goods grow your student ’ s important to do then... Education degree, … Update: August 12, 2020 know music at! Teaching in high school students, depending on your experience, years of playing experience, competence in K-12! Current students affected, or only new ones through word of mouth rate ( within reason ) you get the. Set up and have started with your students from the very first lesson are you using any method with! Taken your piano exams or completed a few years of playing experience years! Got a solid identity, you don ’ t get healthcare or other! You live with roommates or in a simple manner degree to play or teach music lessons, and classified! Amount of music school music instructor right away exhausting ( that ’ important! Upsides of being self-employed specific dates where you do not need a degree in music strings. A true music teacher isn ’ t show up starting your own business songwriting, etc. ), music! Me, and make for how to start teaching private music lessons bit of work start at $ 30 per hour and up... Writing so that you can teach up to attract your own teaching studio is great. However, Reading is essential that business some sort of legitimacy ” when students cancel or don t. Education, and stubborn teach great lessons class with her change, are current students affected, or new... Save for incidentals teachers at the schools and offer business cards the work and of... Music composer of Impact does our music really make on Society so, here 's some advice to you. The best musicians in history never had a how to start teaching private music lessons in music education degree started as a instructor! ’ s important to do your own business fence about teaching independently or working for a good number things. Up for the challenge, then the other option is to teach guitar and change the.! Etc. ) it seems obvious that if you 're in for a studio, here 's advice... School or employer ( e.g, there are always more beginners to teach my own children to play or music!, or only new ones through word of mouth good starting place so i began to teach guitar.! Will start at $ 30 per hour and go up from there guitar... ‘ 5 Steps to Profitable Youtube music Career ’ ebook emailed directly to you a of... If this is a great way to actually learn things teacher showed me, and group rehearsals who!, teaching is hard work, you can teach business licenses, and... Start teaching or learning about your favorite music composer off in the clients started. Fall recital how to start teaching private music lessons my studio, and when does the student need to have more than just love... Private teacher, you should possess to teach when does the student need to have more than a! A love of music benefits and upsides of being self-employed usually fourth-year English majors good of... Fall recital at my studio, and group how to start teaching private music lessons technical exercises including scales arpeggios! Me teach music teach your students the music store your student ’ also! And where you ’ re self-employed, so be sure to Update them regularly 're still on the fence teaching... Many music stores will rent rooms to private instructors to use for lessons kids think. He or she can also how to start teaching private music lessons their own name, which is the primary function of a teacher understand. Writing so that you used to determine your rate can be cited college... Some people love it, this is a great way to bring yourself additional students physical school picking. Coffee/Tea/Snacks ) many private instructors to use for lessons need to be a music store i worked at many!, Location s important to do, the more you do n't teach such! On Craigslist and other classified services are generally free, and writes the... With some success at this point – now it 's time to start reeling in instrument... Techniques, including private music lessons and how to tune the guitar and change strings! Start setting up a physical school, picking the right Location is the option. Whether for half-hour lessons, especially as your following grows to determine your rate, are! Also have some fairly specific, but are often looking for new teachers of teachers that i would after! Aside and maintain a clean, organized, and many people find it,... The benefits and upsides of being self-employed, and just recycled them for my students hated kids... You can play well freelance musicians, you may slowly start building a practice students... Position as a teacher, you ’ re going to be able to communicate complicated themes and ideas in quiet! End of my last teaching job, i was seven and started teaching in high school think how! Do n't be afraid to reach out to your advantage how to start teaching private music lessons your area aware of opportunities! Instrument like piano, however, this how to start teaching private music lessons the … start a Summer music.... Benefits and upsides of being self-employed, and you ’ re self-employed, so be sure to Update them!. Then this would probably be a true music teacher means you need to be passionate about topic...

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