What to Look for when choosing a Music Teacher
by Danny Thompson
www.themusicfactoryoc.com
Choosing a music teacher is a process that should be given careful consideration. Your music teacher will be someone who you will potentially work with for a number of years, and it is important to find someone with whom you can develop a beneficial working relationship. There are a number of factors that go into this.First, it is important to determine what kind of teaching method you feel would best suit your learning style, regardless of whether you are learning to play the guitar, drums, or piano. There are many different teaching methods. There’s the Suzuki method, in which the student copies the teacher’s actions on the instrument in order to develop muscle memory of musical pieces. The Kodaly method relies on presenting music theory in a way that emphasizes enjoyment of music by the student. Popular Music Pedagogy, as the name suggests, uses contemporary popular music, both inside and outside the classroom, and often utilizes group improvisation – jam sessions – with students as a teaching tool. You should consider whether you would be more comfortable in a one-on-one or group setting, and choose your school accordingly.It’s of equal importance to find a teacher you feel comfortable with personally. You will be spending at least an hour a week with your teacher, probably for years to come, so it’s important that you enjoy their company. It is also important that you and your teacher are able to develop a positive teacher-student dynamic. Your music teacher will not only be instructing you on the basics of the instrument and theory, but will also often be the person you discuss problems you’re having with the instrument to. The two of you will have to be able to work together to find solutions and help you move forward with your study.You will want to determine whether a music teacher fits into your long-term budget, and find a program you feel is affordable. Prices for music lessons range from very affordable lessons given in a group setting to the most expensive conservatories. You’ll also need to determine what a teacher’s program requires from you: how many hours of practice a week, how many sessions with the teacher, and whether you must provide your own instrument. Will their location be convenient for you to get to every week? Taking music lessons is a long-term commitment, and you have to take all of this into consideration when thinking about budget and time. A good way to determine what teachers fit these criteria is to talk to other students or parents in a music school. If you have friends or family who play instruments, you can talk to them as well. When you have found a teacher who seems suitable, you can ask them if you can listen in on a session with one of their current students. Some teachers have closed sessions, but often those who have group sessions will not mind you sitting in to see if their program seems right for you.
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