Most states don’t require private music teachers to have any certification. Since there may be dozens (or even hundreds!) of music teachers in your area, it can be very difficult to pick a private music teacher. Here are some tips to help you pick the best music teacher.
Where to Find Music Teachers
Before you hit up the classified ads for music teachers, go to your local resources for a recommendation. If there is a college in your area or advanced music school, call them and ask if they can recommend a music teacher. Often, they will only recommend their own alumni or students. Students may lack experience but are often cheaper and have more enthusiasm for teaching. You can also ask the local elementary or high school music teacher for a recommendation.
Pay attention to see if there are any recitals happening in your area. If you are impressed by how the students perform, then this is a positive reflection on the teacher. At the Music Teachers National Association website, you can find out if there are any music teachers in your area.
If you don’t have any luck with these methods, go to the local music store and ask if they can recommend a teacher. If this resort fails, then start interviewing music teachers through classified ads.
Is the Teacher Right for You?
Each music student has his/her own specific needs, just as music teachers have their own specific styles and specialties. To get the best music education possible, it is important that you choose a simpatico music teacher. You will want to ask the music teachers:
- What style of music they specialize in (jazz, classical, pop?)
- What technique do they use for teaching music
- What opportunities will you have for performing, such as competition or recitals
- How can the teacher help you prepare for advanced auditions
If you have no music training, then it can be difficult to pick a music teacher which is right for you because you don’t yet know what your learning style is. Make sure to ask the music teachers how they approach teaching beginners.
Interview Questions to Ask Music Teachers
- What training have you had? What degrees/certificates do you hold?
- Do you belong to a musical society? Which ones?
- How often do you perform and where?
- How are payments made? What will happen if I can’t attend a class and how will the class be made up?
- Can parents observe their children’s lessons?
- Have any of your students been accepted to music academies/colleges?
- What techniques are used in the lessons? Do you incorporate any learning tools like computers?
- What music repertoire do you use?
- Do you also teach music theory?
- How and when is progress assessed?
- How much practice time is required?
- What do you expect of your music students?