Finding A Music Teacher
This is not an easy task. It is all well and good finding a music teacher by looking through the Yellow Pages or Online, but finding a good music teacher is a different story.
It is so easy nowadays to create a website and add yourself to Google. You can even add a free listing on the Yellow Pages Website! Be wary of finding a music teacher this way (This is not to say that good music teachers cannot be found this way, just be cautious!).
There are much better ways of finding a teacher. You want somebody who you can relate to and really learn from, especially if it is your child who is learning to play. They need to feel comfortable when they go to their music lessons with a teacher. The more comfortable you are with your teacher, the quicker you will progress. On the other hand, you also need a teacher who will discipline you or your child. I have found in the past that some teachers are so laid back that you never really progress very fast and seem to be learning the same piece or technique for a very long time!
We have lists of Piano and Guitar teachers in our shops, which contain contact details for our recommended teachers in the local and surrounding areas.
It is very easy to look for the teacher closest to you, ring them up and book your lessons but that teacher may not be right for you. A teacher that is ideal for you child may not be the perfect teacher for you.
I would suggest calling a few teachers and just having a chat with them, get to know them and make a decision after speaking to them all. They don’t usually mind (unless they are in the middle of teaching!) because it also gives them a chance to know you as a pupil and maybe even think about the technique they would use to teach you (some teachers use a different technique for different pupils).
Once you have decided on a teacher, maybe ask if you can arrange to do 2 or 3 lessons as a ‘taster session.’ If you are paying for these lessons then the teacher will not mind.
If after the taster period you are still happy, then go ahead and book your lessons. If you are not fully happy, then start the process again!
It is more important than people realise to get the right teacher. If the chemistry is right, you will learn a lot faster and in a lot more detail making the whole musical instrument playing a lot more satisfying!
For a list of teachers in your area, email us stating where you live and we will forward you the list.
