Teachers have a lot of influence in our lives! They can shape the way we experience the world, the way that we learn, and so much more. I’ve been both a student and a teacher—I’ve taken private lessons since the age of 4, through undergrad and graduate school, and so on. I’ve taught private lessons, elementary school music courses, directed bands and choirs, etc. All of this to say, I’ve seen how big of a part teachers play in the lives of their students, from both sides of that coin. When selecting a private teacher for yourself and/or your student, there are many things to consider. Read on!
As mentioned above, a lot goes in to finding a music teacher that fits you as a musician. The first thing to consider is your own goals. What do you want to get out of private lessons? Are you a beginning young student looking to develop a base knowledge of an instrument? Are you planning to audition for a high level collegiate program? Are you an adult student coming back to lessons to revitalize a love of music? Do you have a talent show, festival, or other event you want to prepare for? If you know your own goals, it will be much easier to find the teacher who is right for you. In addition, once you’ve started lessons, most teachers will take these goals into account while selecting repertoire and organizing your lessons.
A majority of instrumental private teachers are versatile in their lessons and will be able to tailor your instruction in a way that fits you. It is helpful to learn about your teacher’s specialties so that if you have very specific hopes for your lessons you can better collaborate. Some instructors have a better knowledge of contemporary popular styles while others would make excellent audition coaches, for example. Musical theater, jazz, church music—all of these different genres require certain skills and different approaches. When selecting your teacher, feel free to ask them about their knowledge or expertise. What are they most passionate about and how will they be able to help you succeed? One of my first piano teachers was an absolutely incredible musician who helped me build a strong foundation and develop an enduring love for playing the instrument. Once I reached a certain point in my education and decided to audition for music school, she suggested I switch to a teacher she knew who was particularly focused on audition coaching. This ended up being excellent in the long haul as I learn different techniques and the intricacies of music school auditions.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you vibe with the teacher’s personality and approach. While auditioning, I was able to have practice lessons with potential instructors and get a feel for their teaching style. Oftentimes students looking to earn a degree in music performance will go to a school with a teacher they connect with the most—this is in part why we at Vibe include a free trial lesson each time a student is matched with an instructor. Learning an instrument can be a very vulnerable experience, and it’s essential that you as a musician feel comfortable, supported, encouraged, and excited about your learning. That isn’t to say you should jump ship and switch teachers if you have a bad lesson every once in a while (which can almost always be avoided by practicing)! Instructors will push you to meet your goals, which can be tough sometimes. Keep working hard and those hurdles will push you forward on your journey towards better musicianship. However, sometimes a student and teacher just don’t click. If this happens, learning is going to be very difficult! Being honest about your needs, and maintaining clear communication with your teacher is a great way to build that relationship.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I hope you have success in your music-teacher-locating endeavors, and that some of these insights have given you something to think about. Of course, consider us at Vibe Music Academy! Our instructors are versatile, caring, and supportive—we are waiting to help you reach your musical goals. Happy practicing!
—Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy
