5 Realities of Being a Private Music Teacher

Here are some things I learned on the job. :)

More about OneNote:
*No, I'm not sponsored by them at all. (I wish I was.)

Staying Organized as a Private Music Teacher:

*************

I practice on Twitch!

Online Lessons with me!

*************

If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can use the following link! Thank you so much!

******************
My vlog channel:

My second channel (covers & performances):

******************
Website

Instagram

:)

[OB]

I had two private flute teachers. Fifty plus years later I realize each of these individuals taught, instilled, and planted things in my life I needed at the time, and have used throughout my life. For this I remember them fondly and with deepest gratitude.

[bevaniflute]

Hey Joanne, I can totally relate to your struggles.  The joys of being a private flute teacher!

[LemonCrush]

So much love and appreciation for music teachers, thank you for sharing your talent and passion with your students! ❤️

[dylan-hpjb]

I respect my double bass, and bassoon private teacher even more. damn.

[RichardKant]

Hi Joanna,


This is a great post topic and it was most interesting to listen to your insights a flute teacher. I am a Piano Teacher teaching Monday-Tuesday 5-9pm, Wednesday-Friday 4-9pm and Saturday 11am-9pm. You may this this schedule is hectic but I also manage 2 other teachers who come to my home (3 piano studios) and it was necessary to contract them due to the growing number of students wanting to do piano. I am fortunate to live in an area where music is highly valued and piano is cool to do.The craziest bit of it all is that I am also a full-time classroom music teacher. I was lucky enough to be offered a job in my final year of uni (studied online as adult students and graduated at age 42) and decided to take it because I though what 40yo would ever get a job let alone being offered AND the school is only 3 min s drive from home.



Most people may assume that I must be exhausted. The answer is not at all. If you are doing what you are passionate about, then the energy you are given is one of positive. The positive energy is what keeps me going. I normally finish teaching at 9pm and after quick meal, I'm on the PC doing work and alternating it with my own practice. Most days going to bed at 2-3am and being at school by 8:30am the next day.


You discussed, the need to change things up in regards to teaching practices. I totally agree. I'm not kidding when I say, I do that pretty much monthly, some times weekly. Since the beginning of this year, I have been fascinated and completely won over by understanding Cognitive Psychology and more so Neuroscience. I have doné so much research, seminars, lectures, TedX Talks etc... and trying out all the strategies related to performance anxiety, memorizing, procrastination, spaced repetition, and so much more....


I started teaching piano in 1992 and have been doing ever since. (OMG so many I this I that in this post....sorry...what the heck why not I'll carry on...) There has never been a need to advertise. One student recommended another and pretty much resulting in now over 100 students.


There is no magic formula but these are My tips to making your studio successful:
1. Money should not be the motivation
2. Get to know your students and parents
3. Teach in a manner where you are learning with them
4. Show them strategies to practice so they build up a toolbox of strategies and use the right tools
5. Investigate TomPlay (this will change your LIFE OMG)
6. We use OneNote as well but never thought of sharing the file which means no more emailing. THANKS for that brilliant idea.
7. Teach in a manner that teaches students more than music, and its very powerful if they see you doing it.

8. I use a variety of method books depending on the beginner
9. Let the student know that lessons don't stop when the lesson ends. You should be there for them during the week.
10. Every lessons should be fun and lots of laughter (ditch anything negative)
11. Teach children to teach themselves
12. Teach students what happens in the brain when we learn, practice and when we do mindless repetitions.

I can relate to your situation about not being able to get on well with a student or parent due to personality. I have had situations like that early in my career. However, it is important that those things do not interfere with teaching the child. I currently have one 'Tiger Mom' who has been coming here for over 10 years (2 kids). I find that I write a lot of articles and these are aimed at educating the parent. I can assure you that if you keep trying and just hang in there for these types of parents and or students, it will make you an even better teacher. Those students and parents will come around. Really get to know the parents, share personal stories with them and treat them like as if they are your own brother and sister. Maintain that and the studio will be the most amazing place to be in and you will be looking forward to the parents. I would not dismiss a student no matter what because you don't know what it is going to do to them psychologically, that student/parent may spread bad words about you and ruin your reputation and dismissing them would be the same at giving up on your child.


One final tip. If you are going to do what I do; work as private piano teacher and work for Department of Education as Classroom Teacher. Be very careful about Conflict of Interest Policy. It's not law but just policy. So, when accepeting a school position, make it known that you WILL NOT teach any students from school n your home. It is up to the Principal 's discretion so make it clear right from the start and be upfront about your commitments and do it all in writing. Those wanting to transition private to classroom, I can tell you it is very difficult. The classroom teaching is the easy part. The hardest part is learning that some workplaces accept mediore, accpet there is going to gossiping and being passionate about your work and working among colleages who are not so passionate is very problematic. Envy and jealously is usually the result.


Hope this information was useful.
Richard

[timr]

I’m watching this instead of practicing, I’m sure my teacher is thrilled lmao

[andyokus]

I've been teaching privately for 45 years. I've made more money from the students who only came once. People think you have a magic wand in your back pocket.I think yes I should of auditioned my students. Passionate students who will work are extremely rare. Maybe one in a hundred. If you want to make an actual living teaching get your music degree and teach in a school. Get real students on the side and a church gig . Do Not give your time away! Churches and students will use you and take your kindness for weakness. Believe me i6 wish I could go back and do it all over again but I can't. I'd get my Doctorate and teach in a private university. You only need to invest in a few really talented students in your life to feel good about yourself. Hope this helps someone.

[anouskawilson]

Thank you - these do ring true especially number 1 - it takes time to build your practice. And it is rewarding! I certainly agree to take care not to get stuck in a rut of one teaching method or book - keep open to what is available as one method may suit one student better than another.

[terryjones]

I just started teaching lessons, and I’ve experienced a lot of the “false inquiries.” It is very, very, annoying.

[adamgulley]

Started on flute, then piano, now saxophone, flute and saxophone are very similar, flute is still my favorite

[kurtaiken]

I've made my living as a freelance musician and private music teacher for 23 years now. Agree with everything I heard here, Liked and Subscribed!!!

[moa]

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience as a private music teacher. Glad there's another teacher out there having the same problems. It's definitely hard to get a stable income doing private lessons, not unless you set up rules about what to do with missed lessons and be strict with it. I had to study and get another certification just to have another job option to fall back on.

[jillhollander]

I can relate to many of these.. It was good to hear someone else talking about many of these.. Its not the most common job.. Def. positives and negatives!

[drumteacher]

I am a pro drummer/teacher. I totally understand where you are coming from. It can be tough getting and more importantly keeping students. My experience has shown me that you really need to sell yourself and show passion for music/teaching and your instrument!! The personality thing is interesting as i have a lot of energy and passion and it comes through in my lessons. But, sometimes the student doesnt feel that same energy. i've had students that never said a word to me through the lessons, haha. everyone is different, cant click with everybody!

[rahimrupani]

I am a private saxophone teacher working in school districts. I think the biggest disappointment/reality is that during college or university, so little time is spent actually being taught to be a lesson teacher when they well know for a fact most musicians become teachers. Finally after 3-4 years I’m starting to catch on to it.. but the first few years were ROUGH.

[therick]

This is an awesome video, I'm interested in becoming a private music teacher after college and this video kinda answered some questions for me.

[DavidPintoKent]

I feel very identified with everything you said. even the part when they choose piano over the flute but in my case I'm a guitar teacher

[Wedelinecasimir]

Thank you so much for this! Im graduating from FSU and planning to start my own Voice Student right after.. This gives me a clue of what to prepare for. Love anymore tips you have!

[MotifMusicStudios]

Great to find your channel and listen in and great to think of these challenges!

[etiennedelaunois]

Intersting video. I rely on everything you are saying.

What I'm doing regarding payments, I plan in advance my time off during the year.

Im from the UK so I do this:

1 week off each half term, 2 weeks easter and 2 weeks for Christmas.

Then 3 weeks August.

Which bring us to 42 weeks a year. I divide my payment into equal monthly payment and students just pay the same amount each month.

If they decided to stop the lessons I just calculate the difference and invoice them. Sometimes they owe me money sometimes I do, deoending when they stop.

For cancelations, I catch up lessons with a week notice or extreme circumstances.

If i cancel, I just refund them.

But I don't refund if they cancel.

I have a contract in place.

They are not just booking my skills. They are also booking a day and time slot.

If they cancel every other week, I can fill up that slot with a student who is regular and comes every week.

They also have the choice of booking their lesson the week before and have maybe a different day and time each week or no lesson depending on my availability.

Then they pay for each lesson in advance when booked and doesn't pay when they don't want to have one. But regular slots are paid in advance and not refunded.

A lot of people think that we are sitting down in our couch with our arms crossed waiting for lessons qhen we are not teaching.

I just want to be clear that I love what I'm doing but in order to do it, I need to fill up my fridge with food and as any human being, I love my time to be respected.