What is the Best Time of Year to Begin Piano Lessons?

Posted on by Heather Brunner

What is the best time of year to begin piano lessons?  Often we think about the age the student is but not about what else might be going on in their lives.  As a teacher who likes to pay her bills, I say that any time is a good time to begin piano lessons.  Smile  However, there are some times during the year that the transition can be a little smoother.

 

1.  The weeks leading up to school starting.  This is my personal favorite.  The students begin to build good practice habits and are not overwhelmed with so much new material from school and piano lessons.

2.  The weeks after school starts.  You are building your schedule for the year and can get the time that works best for you. 

3.  Right after the new year.  The student got a keyboard or piano for Christmas.  The school year is getting back into the swing of things and the newness of the gift is still there.

4.  Summer break.  Everyone’s schedules are more flexible and there is less homework.  You can even schedule multiple lessons per week to really get a great start.

5.  Late Spring.  This is my least favorite.  Everyone is so busy with end of the year tasks that sometimes it is hard to establish those good practice habits.

 

As we are approaching mid-summer and fall isn’t so far away, go ahead and give some piano teachers a call and see what their schedule openings are like.  Piano lesson are for all ages!

Piano Assignment Sheets Update

Posted on by Heather Brunner

Today I added a Beginner Piano Assignment Sheet to the Resources Page. 

 

Also on the Resources page you will find the Piano Assignment Sheet and the Technique Assignment Sheet.

 

Please feel free to use these in your own studio.

 

What Qualifications Should a Piano Teacher Have?

Posted on by Heather Brunner

Last week we talked about how to find a piano teacher.  Another part of finding the right teacher is making sure they have good qualifications.  So what qualifications should you look for in a piano teacher.

 

1.  Does the teacher have a degree in piano or music?  This could be a Bachelors, Masters or  DMA of Music in Performance, Pedagogy or Education.  While a degree in music doesn’t always make a good teacher, it does ensure that the teacher has gone through a rigorous course of study in their field.

 

2.  Does the teacher belong to professional organizations?  This could be NCMTA/NMTA , NFMC, or the National Piano Guild.  For more local examples, the teacher might belong to their area piano teachers forum or guild.  Most of these organizations have membership requirements and teachers must meet them to have different levels of membership. 

 

3.  Can the teacher supply you with examples of musical achievement for themselves or their students?  Have the students placed well at local festivals and competitions?  If it is a younger teacher, did the teacher place well in the same competitions? 

 

4.  Can the teacher supply references?

 

5.  Is the teacher active in the local music community?  Teachers need good contacts.  If they are participating in the musical community, then they are more likely to hear of opportunities for their students.  

 

So for an example, let’s look at my qualifications:

 

Heather N Brunner

Charlotte, NC- Piano Teacher

Educational Background:  BM and MM in Piano Pedagogy from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Number of Years Teaching:  10

Professional Memberships: 

1.  NMTA, NCMTA and Charlotte, NC chapter of NCMTA.

2.  NFMC

Student Participation:

NCMTA Charlotte Area Festival-

NCMTA Western State Festival

NFMC Festival

NFMC Scholarship Festival

Current Community Participation:

NCMTA  Festival Charlotte Area Chair 2012

NFMC Scholarship Festival Charlotte  Chair 2012

Accompanist for local high school choirs

Should Piano Lessons Be Fun?

Posted on by Heather Brunner

Almost every parent that contacts me says that they want piano lessons to be fun.  Should piano lessons be fun?  The unequivocal answer to that is YES!  However, how we can accomplish that is dependent on the student and the teacher.

 

As  a teacher with a degree in piano and with over 10 years of experience, I know lots of ways to make piano lessons fun.  Obviously the first way is with literature that the student looks forward to playing.  This doesn’t mean though that occasionally the student doesn’t have to play something they aren’t thrilled with from the get go.  Usually even those pieces that the student is iffy about in the beginning end up being great fun after learning the first few pages. 

 

With little kids, I like to get up and use movement in lessons.  Marching, singing and dancing are great ways to break up a 30 min. lesson and let those wiggles out.  Did you know the Hokey-Pokey is an effective teaching tool?  Color is important for all levels as it brings information to our attention.

 

I can do everything and stand on my head if necessary to try to make piano lessons fun.  However, there is a contingency.

 

The student has to want to learn and to be prepared.  A large part of having fun in piano lessons is getting to learn new music.  This hinges on the student practicing and be prepared for lessons.  That doesn’t mean that it might not take repetition of pieces, but that they should be showing marked improvement week by week. 

 

I like to think that it is a 50/50 split on who is responsible for fun piano lessons.  If the student keeps practicing and the teacher strives to incorporate new and creative information then the lessons should be a success.

Supplies for Piano Lessons

Posted on by Heather Brunner

What supplies does a student need to help make taking piano lessons easier and to make practice at home run more smoothly?

 

1.  Assignment Book- Every teacher has their own method of tracking assignments.  Some teachers write the date on the page, other use a pre-printed book that goes with a method book series, a spiral notebook is always effective, or a 3 ring binder.  I have my students use a 3 ring-binder.  Every week I print out assignment sheets that are customized to the lesson with the listening and music history assignment printed in.

 

2.  Music Bag-  Most kids have a clumsy streak and go through phases of forgetfulness.  A music bag is a quick way to keep track of everything.  Pack it up the night before a lesson so that the student doesn’t forget any books. 

 

3.  Pencils-  keep a few sharpened pencils with good erasers at the piano for use during practice.  I like to have my students make notes of any questions they have during the week.  Also, theory should always be done in pencil.  Would you do your math homework in pen?

 

4.  Metronome- Counting is essential to playing music correctly.  A metronome can aid in this process.  My students usually begin learning to use one quite early on in the process.  The sooner they have the hang of using the metronome the better.

 

5.  Timer-  Kids are forever asking if they have practiced long enough.  Forestall this questions by equipping them with a timer that is easy to set.

 

These are just a few things that help students succeed in piano lessons.  A prepared student makes for a happy piano teacher.  

How to Find a Piano Teacher- Part 2

Posted on by Heather Brunner

On Friday, we talked about how to find a piano teacher.  The first thing you need is a name.  What were our steps?

1.  Ask your neighbors

2.  Google your area

3.  Visit reputable teacher websites

 

Now that you have a few names in hand what is the next step?  You need to interview teachers and interview with teachers.  The best of mode of communication really depends on the teacher.  Let’s face it, most piano teachers are stereo typed as old ladies with cats.  So yes, you will find teachers who don’t communicate by email.  You will definitely have to call these teachers to get information and to feel out what their personalities are.

 

If you do find teachers who are more technologically savvy, don’t hesitate to email them with a request for them to call you.  My reasoning on this is simple.  I teach from around 1:00 to 8:00 Monday thru Thursday.  I do not answer phone calls while I’m teaching. I don’t want you to think that I’m ignoring you or not getting back to you.  I can however, send you a quick email that I received your inquiry and will contact you back as soon as I have a break or am done teaching.  If you want to include details in your email or questions, this is a great idea.  Any info that the potential teacher has to help answer questions or address concerns is appreciated.

 

What questions should you ask a potential piano teacher about beginning lessons in their studio?

 

1.  What is your training?

2.  What opportunities do your students have for performances and festivals?

3.  Do you have a policy sheet?

4.  Are lessons customized for the student’s learning style?

5.  What is your availability?

6.  What do lessons cost and are their additional fees?

 

The answers that the teacher gives you should give you a feel if you would like to continue to the next step of scheduling a trial lesson or signing up for lessons.  Follow your instincts.  Not every teacher is suited for every student.  Be honest with yourself when looking at the type of teacher you want.  Taking piano lessons is a big commitment.  You are learning another language.  Find the teacher that is best suited for your educational needs. 

How To Find a Piano Teacher

Posted on by Heather Brunner

If you live in a small town then finding a piano teacher is probably pretty easy.  What if you live in a big city or just moved to a new area and need to find a new piano teacher?

 

Let’s take Charlotte, NC for an example city for finding a piano teacher for your child who wants to take lessons.  Obviously the first thing would be to ask around.  Do the neighbors recommend anyone or is there music business in your immediate area?  If the answers to these questions are yes then you probably want to check out the reputations of those in question.  If the answer is no then follow the next steps.

 

www.google.com  Google is your friend.  Type in piano lessons charlotte, nc or piano teachers charlotte, nc.  This is a great place to get started.  The first page is usually going to be larger studios or music businesses.  Take a look at the map on the right to see what is in your area.  However, keep in mind that many of the local independent teachers cannot afford to maintain space on the first page of searches.  Keep looking on to the next pages for those independent teacher websites. 

 

Another good way to find a piano teacher is to look at websites that piano teachers advertise on.  Some reputable websites for Charlotte, NC are:

 

www.lessonrating.com

www.getlessonsnow.com

www.ncmta.org

www.pianoteachersdirectory.com

 

Search these websites for teachers in your area.  Cross check them to see the different teacher ratings on each site. 

Make a list of the teachers that are interesting to you.  We will talk on Monday about interviewing piano teachers to find the right teacher for you. 

Does Your Piano Teacher Vacation?

Posted on by Heather Brunner

Since summer is here.  Let’s talk about the subject of vacations.  As a piano teacher, my schedule has some flexibility.

 

My husband and I like to travel in the fall when it is cooler and crowds are lower.  Also, from about mid-January to the beginning of May, most of my weekends are filled with piano related activities that relate to my students.  Did I mention that all of those weekends are unpaid? Yes, that’s right folk.  Your piano teacher has to volunteer time so that your student can participate in festivals.  Now most of the piano teachers don’t mind working those weekends.  If you add in additional weekends for recitals and then for studio class, that is a lot of time outside of lessons that your teacher is dedicating to their students. 

 

So if you teacher lets you know well in advance and offers ample make up lessons or payment options for time that they will be away, please try to be understanding.  Most families are very understanding about vacation time away from the studio.  If your teacher has excessive absences on short notice, then that is a bird of a different feather.

 

Oh yeah, did I mention that Walt Disney World is offering free dining again in September? 

 

Educational Expectations for Summer Piano Lessons

Posted on by Heather Brunner

Today my students will begin having their last lessons before the summer session starts.  Many of them will be taking summer lessons but not on a regular schedule.  What should parents and teachers expect from students who take lessons during the summer?

 

If a student is taking infrequent piano lessons in the summer, then my goal is retention of knowledge.  Just like with academics, if you don’t use it, you will loose it.  All that hard work we put into theory and technique will quietly drift away.  As a teacher who as high standards week after week for the literature that the students are learning, I find that summer is a great time to play ‘fun’ music.  Now, I find classical music to be fun but my students don’t always agree.  So we will be pulling out the pop and show tunes.  Recognizable pieces that students enjoy playing so much.  The technical skills are the same and we might learn some new interesting rhythms. 

 

I try not to stress out about the lack of practice in the summer.  Kids go to camps and travel with their families.  When they are home, I encourage them to try to maintain a normal practice schedule.  Even if the amount of time is less, I don’t want them to lose the habit of practicing.   Parents can help by reminding the students to practice when they are able.

 

Summer is a nice time for teachers and students to relax and regroup.  Review those skills and make sure everything is in order for when piano/music lessons start back in the fall.  Festival season will be here before we know it.  So help maintain those skills be practicing for you summer lessons when the chance arises. 

Awkward Topics- Moving in or Moving Out of a Studio

Posted on by Heather Brunner

There are few topics that make music teachers more uncomfortable than the topics of losing students, inheriting students or getting rid of students.  Most of us are fairly nice people who run into each other on a somewhat frequent basis.  There are few things worse than bragging on a talented student only to find out you are talking to that student’s previous teacher.  So how do parents and students deal with these subjects?

If you have a student who just isn’t clicking with your teaching style or studio policy, it is ok to send them someplace else.  There are many teachers who have many different styles.  You won’t be the right fit for everyone.  It’s not a failing; it’s more like a fact of life.  So how do you graciously send a student on their way?  If possible, schedule an in-person meeting with the student or parents.  Have your thoughts prepared and a copy of your studio policy handy if the situation calls for it.  If a student needs to move on for a specific musical reason try to guide them in the right direction.  Does the student have a fondness for jazz?  Be a friend and recommend a teacher or two who teaches in that style.  If it is a policy issue, calmly explain that you must abide by your studio policy in order to be fair to all of your students.  Students can leave with a  positive experience even if the circumstances are less than ideal.

Today’s society is very mobile.  Most teacher have inherited students from other teachers at one point or another.  The previous teacher moved, downsized their studio, or decided to go in a new direction.  How do you make this a smooth transition?  Your studio policy sheet is your friend.  Have the student, the parent and the teacher read and sign it.  Point out any unusual or new topics that it might cover.  If there is a particularly pertinent part, provide a blank for the responsible party to initial.  Then provide a copy to the parent or student and keep the signed copy on file.  For example, if you do not offer make up lessons, make sure the client acknowledges that they understand this point.

Another good idea would to have a trial lesson.  Sometimes you or the family can tell from the outset that it is not a good match up.  It is a good idea to get an idea of the student’s abilities beforehand if possible.  This saves valuable lesson time.  There are many good reasons that you might inherit a student.  Try to keep the previous teacher in a good light.  Parents and teachers both talk, and we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings unnecessarily.

How about that awkward situation where you think your teacher is crazy, disorganized, incompetent, or just the devil?  Or on a lighter note, that you have outgrown what a teacher can offer you musically, you moved and the lessons are to far, you found a closer teacher of comparable skill or you just need a change?  Talk about sticky situations.

This is where full disclosure isn’t the best policy.  From a teacher’s perspective, we just want you to abide by the policy sheet for withdrawing from the studio.  We probably already know what any problems might be and saw this situation on the horizon. A note to the teacher’s that read this blog.  A teacher should refrain from badgering a family as to what their exact reasoning is.  Families sometimes have very personal reasons that might  range from financial to religious.  Don’t put the family on the spot.  By forcing them to come up with an excuse that might not be true you are hurting your chances of making that family feel welcome to come back at anytime.  Circumstances change and that family that you help to leave on good terms might very well be back in a few years.   A note to families who are changing teachers.  Please don’t ever tell your current teacher who you are transferring to and don’t tell your new teacher what studio you transferred from.  This just creates awkward situations for everyone.  Just politely tell the teacher that you wish to abide by their policy for withdrawing and leave it at that.  You never know when you might want to come back to that studio and you need to try and leave on good terms.

In a perfect world, we would be thrilled with all of our students and they would love us forever and ever.  However, we all know that is not how things always work.  Diplomacy and tact from everyone ensures a smooth transition and a continuing musical education for the student.