How do I find the right Music Teacher for me?

Tips on how to find the right music teacher

by Zeilver on October 10th

Hello Zeilver here, coming back to you LIVE once again from King George’s Music Academy! 

Today we are bringing to you the eleventh episode of a series we call- The Knowledge Pearls Initiative (KPI). 

The KPI would be bite-size knowledge content centered around music, music creation as well as music playing. 

Wish to improve your music knowledge? Wishing to learn more about questions that aren’t explored as much as it should be? You have come to the right place. 

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THIS WEEK’S

KNOWLEDGE PEARL

Why is it important to find a good music teacher?

I know I know, the need to address this might seem redundant to some but there is a need to deepen the understanding on this point. 

Finding the best teacher suited for yourself is very important. Why so? 

A music teacher is an important investment on your time as well as money and a good teacher would help you to maximize the joy and the value you get out of lessons!

For all that they have done for us, it is clear that a good teacher does make the learning easier, brightening the experience along the way. 

The 8 ways to find a Music Teacher that’s for you

Asking around

With the internet as advanced as it is now, online searches are just a click away- however in cases like these, word of mouth recommendations are almost definitely always better. 

Why?

Online reviews don’t always tell the whole story, be it the good or the bad. 

In cases like these, personal recommendations from a student (preferably a friend) would allow you to ask specific questions which would help you to see the bigger picture. 

Good tip: Allow yourself to find at least 3-5 teachers/schools before shortlisting your top 2!

Attending Local Concerts/Performances

By attending these concerts (if the music school/teacher have them), it helps to promote the growth of the music industry in Singapore!

More importantly, it would allow you to learn more about the teacher. 

You would be able to see:

1. The range of students that they teach 

2. How they speak

3. The culture of the music school

After the concert/performance, review the thoughts and experience about the different teachers and their students. 

Keep these impressions in mind when you interview these teachers next time! It would help clarify on any questions or queries you may have. 

Trial Classes (How to use them?) 

Some teachers/schools offer 1 trial/introductory lesson for the music instructor to see if the student is a good fit and vice versa! 

Trial classes will help to give a good idea about the teacher’s energy, teaching ability as well as student interest. 

I would recommend to you to treat this process as an interview for your potential teacher. 

Good tip: The process of trial classes help to narrow a list down to your top 2 choices, or even help you to choose the “one”!

Asking Questions

This point is actually built onto trial classes. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! 

As important as it is for teachers to select the right students, pairing the students to the right teacher  is as equally important. 

By doing so, it helps to build rapport early on, ensuring that both parties benefit from it. 

What is the teacher’s specialty?

Many teachers have their favorite “type” of students (aka their music skill level). Don’t be afraid to ask them that!

Some teachers prefer teaching beginners, starting them off on the path of music while some teachers prefer working with advanced players and teaching high level techniques and tougher pieces. 

Having a teacher whose preference is with advanced students teaching a beginner might prove damaging to both parties. 

The student might end up with lots of pressure and loss of interest while the teacher might have bad reviews from the bad experience from this particular student. 

Finding out more about the music instructors’ teaching level and getting one that enjoys teaching students of that level would yield much better results!

Good tip: Getting a music teacher whose preferred teaching level is at your level and a few levels above that so that you are able to enjoy more time together. 

Music Style

Before undertaking your music journey with a particular teacher, make sure to check if the music teacher instructs in the particular music style that you are interested in. 

Many musicians that have picked their style(s) might have issues crossing genres. They are exceptions of course but it ultimately depends on you, the student’s preference in the end. 

Rates & Fees

Beware of the teachers who are usually way below market rate, as what you pay for is usually what you’d get. 

Teachers that undercut the market, might not only have lesser experience and credentials, their ethics might be called into question. 

Yet, high prices does not guarantee a better teacher. Some music schools charge above the market rate just for their “brand name”. 

(I might be chided for revealing one of the industry’s secrets but only the truth for our fans!) 

Vibes

In the case of vibes, you should trust your gut. Even teachers who might have learnt the same instrument from the same school will tackle lessons in different ways. 

It is best to meet the teacher before coming to lessons with them, a good way is by making use of the free trial lesson to get a feel of the teacher. \

Some guiding questions to help you out:

• Can I talk to the teacher easily, voice my opinions and thoughts without fear?

• Does the teacher respond to me in a way that I can relate to?

• Does the teacher have qualities that are important to me?

• Does the teacher accommodate or understand my learning style?

• Does the teacher teach at a pace that is comfortable to me?

• Does the teacher seem passionate about teaching?

• Is this a teacher that I would admire in music, or life? (Why would you want to take advice from someone you don’t admire?)

I hope that this will ease you into making better choices on how to choose your music teacher that’s for you!

Curious to know how to qualify a music school after knowing what makes a good music teacher? 

Find out more with us!

Thank you for coming to our KPI this week!