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Teacher Lounge
 Featured Guest Writer is Verla Jones Verla Jones started playing the piano as a child. In the 3rd grade, she began formal lessons. Verla loves music and working with children. She has taught private piano for 10 years. When her students reach level 2 (Alfred's), she teaches them chords and improvisation. Currently, she teaches from her home on a Yamaha Clavinova. She has been the accompanist for 2 musicals: "Pump Boys and Dinettes" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat." She also plays for melodramas providing theme music for each actor and 'fill music' where needed. Verla is a great example of how people can make a difference in the lives of youngsters and in the community without the need for lofty titles and degrees. She shares the gift of music and helps others realize their talents through her guidance, attention and dedication. |
Private Piano Lessons: Getting Started
by Verla Jones
Getting started as a piano teacher, especially in a new town, is difficult.
I've had to do it four times, and here are a few things that I've learned.
When I first began teaching private piano, we lived in the country about 4 miles from a little town in North Dakota. I had already earned a reputation as a piano player, mostly through my church, and people were asking me if I would give lessons. So I did.
I soon learned that people don't like to drive out of town for a piano lesson. So the second year, I went to the students' houses.
This had several advantages - but mostly for the students!
For example, they got to take their lesson on the same instrument that they practiced on. This gave them more confidence. They were also on their own "home turf." I travelled to student's homes for about two years until I became tired of being out in the cold. North Dakota winters are really, really, cold!
If you want to take this approach, I would recommend laying a few ground rules.
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Rule number one: No distractions during the lesson. This means, no TV or other "noise" making appliances.
Rule number two: Family members should be in some room other than where the lesson is taking place.
Going to the student's home is a good way to get started. It gives you an advantage over other teachers in the area and helps you to build your base of students. Then within a couple of years, you can move back home and take your students with you.
For me, the next step was renting a small house and giving lessons there. The mother of two of my students owned this little place so I gave her daughters lessons in exchange for my rent. I had lots of room, including a place to give group lessons. I also used this space for a monthly theory and ear training class.
Then we moved. What next?
We were lucky to have some friends who already lived in our new town. They recommended me to several new students. I also ran an ad in the paper that read, "Verla's Music Studio" has moved!
Be sure to notify city organizations when you move to town. It may get you some free advertising. Also, stay on the 'good side' of your newspaper editor by advertising in their paper. Don't just rely on the free publicity.
OK, but then we moved again. This time, no one knew me. Fortunately, my husband volunteered me for a music event the town was planning. People are more willing to have you teach their child when they have heard you play.
In my career as a piano teacher, I have tried many ways to get more students. Here are a few that were successful:
In the spring you can get a mailing list of all the 2nd graders from the local school . Then send a letter of introduction to all the parents of students on the list.
Volunteer to play in the community. I have a little wagon on which I set my digital piano, with my calling cards on it. I also wear a special blouse that has a keyboard, rose, and "Verla's Music Studio" embroidered on it. I had this done at a place that specializes in custom T-shirts.
Find a niche or specialty and advertise it heavily. I play by ear (also by note), and improvise. So I offer ear training and improvisation in my lesson package. Any advertising I do also mentions this.
Use your recitals for advertising. One year, I held a recital in a local nursing home.
If you do a recital like this, hold it on Sunday when there are a lot of visitors. This way, many people can hear you perform and your reputation will spread. Plus, it's entertaining for the residents. I made arrangements for my recital with the Activities Director. She even let me come in with my students the week before and have a rehearsal.
If your town has any kind of street fair where you can rent a booth, get one! Better yet, bring your piano! (Remember, mine is a digital and easier than an acoustic to move.) I recently did that and had a few students sign up. I had enrollment forms ready - along with my studio policies… but that's another subject for some other article!
Get your name out there as much as you can!
Here are some complementary links:
Piano Technicians Guild The Special Care and Maintenance of the Teaching Piano.
On Teaching Piano Technique Excellent advice on teaching the piano, offered by Hao Huang, who is a Professor and Artist Pianist. An excerpt from this page: "Egon Petri, world renowned Russian pianist and teacher, expressed a humanistic view of teaching: 'Do not believe anything I tell you, but try it out. If it helps you, use it; if not, discard it and we shall look for another solution'."
The Weber Piano Site has a very good FAQ page, that offers advice on how to select a piano teacher plus other helpful things.
Next week's article is on:
Technology in the Music Classroom by Andrew Farnham
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