There are a lot of music teachers out there, especially now that online demand has so dramatically increased. To help you decide, here is a breakdown of six things to think about when you are choose the right one.

Introduction

There can be a lot of things to consider when you are choosing the right teacher for yourself or your child. As with any other topic, teachers vary in their experience and their teaching style. For example, some may have a strict technical approach, while others may focus on cultivating creative expression and songwriting. To help you decide what is right for you, here are six tips for choosing your music teacher.

Consider their Background

If you are researching individual teachers online using a site like Lessonface.com, each of those teachers should have some information in the “about me” part of their profile. This section will usually detail the teacher’s educational and performance experience. Choose a teacher whose background aligns with your values. Does the teacher have an advanced degree in performance or music education? If they don’t have a degree, but they have an extensive performance resume, does that even matter to you? Do they have experience teaching in your or your child’s age range?

Read the Reviews

A biography section on a teacher’s profile can offer some useful background information, but if you want a good idea of how they actually interact with students, it is often better to read the reviews. Look for repeating themes in the reviews. If I may shamelessly plug my own profile for a moment, the words “patient,” “comfortable,” and “fun” can be found in several of my reviews. My point is that while a point-based average rating is a useful measurement, the personal touch of a student’s review can often be more revealing.

Interview the Teacher

Newer teachers may not have many reviews yet, or very many photos or videos demonstrating their knowledge and approach. If you find that you have questions about whether or not a teacher would be a good fit for you, you can always reach to them directly. Teachers usually have a way to get in touch with them, and sites like Lessonface.com offer the option to send available teachers a direct message. You can also message me directly on this site!

Check Availability

Before you go to book a session, be sure to check the teacher’s availability first. If it is not listed in their profile, this is an important question to ask during an interview. If a teacher has several students, the most popular time slots, like after work/school on weekdays or weekends, may already be taken. If you’re looking for an online teacher, don’t forget to consider time zone differences! I am based in New Braunfels and I have several students on the West coast, and I have had a couple of mix-ups in scheduling due to one of us forgetting about or incorrectly calculating the time difference.

Check Distance/Online Setup

If you are requesting in-person lessons at the teacher’s studio (commonly a home), it is also important to check the teacher’s location. Drive time is an often-overlooked additional cost of time and expense, so make sure the distance is acceptable to you. If you are requesting lessons at your own home, it is still a good thing to check. If you request at-home lessons and the teacher is based too far away, they may not accept you as a student.

Online is a preferred option for many these days, of course. This opens up a much larger pool of teachers to consider. So especially for piano teachers, it is useful to inquire about their technology set up. Do they have an additional camera that shows their hands on the piano? That’s a very important one! The student needs to be able to see what the teacher wants them to do, and showing them with the additional camera, or at least a camera that can be adjusted easily, is the best way to do that. For the same reasons, you should ask yourself – Do you have a camera that can show your hands on the piano? Teachers with good ears can manage if not, but being able to see the students’ hands is equally beneficial.

Try a Short Package First

If you are somewhat uncertain about your chosen teacher, or for that matter, your own (or your child’s) dedication to the subject, you can always test the waters with a shorter commitment. Most teachers and music schools require that you purchase lessons in packages. On my site you can purchase a single lesson at a time, but most opt for the package or subscription options to save money and hassle. Try a single lesson first and see if you like what you’re getting. If you or your child is loving it and motivated to keep going, excellent! We love to add regulars to our communities.

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