So, you're a piano teacher?

(pictured: Miss DeAnna Gray, student and also a teacher of several students)
Part I
 "Do you teach piano lessons?"

"I can't wait until Genevieve is old enough to take lessons!"

"Look at my baby's long fingers, a natural pianist!"

"Honey, we need extra money, why don't you teach piano lessons?"

If you are a pianist in a Baptist church you have probably heard these statements.  Maybe you feel the pressure of teaching piano lessons or it is a requirement on your list of church duties.  In whatever position you may find yourself, teaching piano lessons is something that will take some prayer, forethought, counsel, and planning.  There is nothing wrong with teaching piano to help "make ends meet", but to be fair to your students  you still must allow your greater purpose to overshadow the money making.

1. Define your objective - training musicians for God's glory?  money only?  civic competitions or training for secular performance only?
2. Define your schedule - I am not all-knowledgeable in the area of music teaching.  I do have thirty years of experience and am still learning.  Scheduling is a KEY element in being prepared, focused, and happy in your teaching.  Thinking that you can put all of your beginner lessons on one day, starting at 8:00 a.m. and working until 4:00 p.m. is insane!  If you do this, more power to you, but please think about your mental health.  I've learned to think of my time in blocks, a block of two or three of the same type of lessons in a row, then switch to a different block with different types of students.  Example: Block A =  first year students, Block B = advanced students.  Some years I start and finish the day with top-notch students - so I look forward to starting the day and keep going toward the last lesson without quitting early!  Yes, I have gone home early one or two times...was it for your lesson former students? I will never tell...
3. Define your standard - What type of behavior will you tolerate?  How much laziness is too much? How long will you go without being paid?  When is a book too old or worn out to use?  You must be professional from the start.  Let your parents and students know your practice requirements, tuition due dates, music book requirements, and teaching objectives.
4. Define your teaching style(s) - I have a teaching style, but I try to adapt to each student's need and musical level.  Be a friend, but be firm in your guidance and correction.  Ask a lot of questions to make sure they comprehend what is on the page in front of them.  Perform for them on occasion - they need to be inspired.  Praise at any sign of improvement, quietly encourage when times are rough.  Speak with the parents when there is a concern or a praise.
5. Define what inspires and enthuses you. - You need this!   Attitudes are "caught" not taught.  When you are "moved" they will be moved, when you are enthusiastic it catches like wild fire.  Give them CD's to listen to or suggest new music books for inspiration. Play duets with the students or have the students play duets together.  Go to the music store with another music "junkie" so you can stay more than ten minutes. (my kids would groan and moan and sit under the music racks until I left!)

Ideas are flowing through my mind quicker than I can type.  I am barely scratching the surface, but I know that if you do not regularly do some of the the above, your studio and piano teaching ministry will digress.
I don't plan for this blog to last forever, I may repeat some entries and points, but I find that as a piano teacher I need encouragement at the beginning, middle, and end of every piano teaching term - and sometimes every day.
God bless you dear piano teacher friend. Keep on going and enjoy every minute!

Psalm 115:1

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,

but unto thy name give glory,

for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.