Private music teachers - your policies?

04 Nov 05 - 02:01 PM (#1597449)
Subject: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: GUEST,*daylia*

I'm curious about how other Catters who teach music privately deal with last-minute cancellations and missed lessons. What are your policies?

I don't think my own policies are unreasonable! Missed lessons are charged the regular fee and made up at a mutually convenient time - as long as I've been given reasonable notice (ie 24 hrs). If the student cannot or will not make up the lesson, it is forfeit. I am flexible do often make exceptions to this, in cases of family emergencies, sudden illness or inclement weather. And course if I must cancel for any reason, the lesson is credited to the following month (if it can't be made up).

I've always informed parents, in writing, of my studio policies at the beginning of each term but I still find, even after 30 years of teaching! - that a lot of people ignore it and simply deduct the tuition fees for lessons they plan to miss (for any reason whatsoever!) from their monthly tuition fees.

Unfortunately, this happens with even the sweetest, most talented, hardworking and promising of youngsters - the very students I HATE to let go of for $$$ reasons!   :-(   And it's strange - I've noticed it's usually the wealthiest families - the ones who can afford to take those 3-week Caribbean cruises right after Xmas for example - who are the least respectful of my studio policies.

Consequently, I figure I lose, on average, about $1000/year in unpaid fees for missed lessons. This means I usually can't afford to take vacations myself. Also, I spend a LOT of time trying to reschedule lessons missed for what I consider to be trivial reasons - "forgetting", parties, too much homework, basketball tryouts, even "she doesn't want to get out of the hot tub right now" (believe me, after all these years I really hope I've heard 'em all!)

Am I missing something vital in this regard? How do you handle missed lessons/cancellations? I'd love some new ideas ...

thanks, daylia

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04 Nov 05 - 02:05 PM (#1597454)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: wysiwyg

You could always increase your fees to cover the increased overhead of people doing whatever they please.

~S~

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04 Nov 05 - 02:06 PM (#1597455)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Clinton Hammond

Make 'em pay a month in advance?

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04 Nov 05 - 02:51 PM (#1597493)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

Studio fee: $640 for 40 half hour lessons (weekly), $500 for 20 one hour lessons (bi-weekly). Payment by 10 post-dated monthly cheques, or in full at the beginning of the lesson year. 2 weeks notice to change the enrollment agreement. Missed lessons are considered paid, though I attempt to reschedule if I have 24 hours notice. Absence due to illness are considered paid, but I make every effort to find a make-up time if I am notified before 9am. Sports, dances, school trips are no excuse. If the student can't do two things at once, that's not my problem, and not an issue as long as I'm paid, which under my system I always am. I expect an annual commitment, and if something conflicts, it's the student's loss. All this is in writing at the time of enrollment.

I used to get stung regularly by no-shows and "can I pay you next time?" excuses, but it's hard to buy Kraft Dinner with that, never mind get a bank loan or mortgage.

Ever since I started this annual fee scheme, absences for any reason are way down. I teach full-time at home, Monday to Friday and alternate Saturdays.

FEES ARE FOR ENROLLMENT NOT ATTENDANCE, it says on my fee schedule.

Anyone who complains or questions this policy gets the standard reasoning that it helps keep my rates down, attendance up, continuity of learning, secures the student's place on my schedule. I don't say it, but it's true that many other things like sports and dance do likewise, and there are plenty of potential customers waiting for lessons.

My dentist, chiropractor, and mechanic will charge for missed appointments, why shouldn't I?

Peace, Mooh.

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04 Nov 05 - 02:57 PM (#1597500)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

Favourite excuses?

My girlfriend told me I couldn't go to my lesson.

I have to get my haircut.

I was on the beach in Mexico.

I have a broken string. (I advertise instrument service too.)

I was tired.

Little Johnny can't come to his lesson, he's in police custody.

Peace, Mooh.

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04 Nov 05 - 03:07 PM (#1597511)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Tootler

I attend classes organised by the Sage Gateshead. I pay my fee termly in advance. To get value I make sure I go - I enjoy it anyway, but if I miss no refunds.

If organisations can do it, why not private individuals? I am sure you will get more commitment that way. If you feel it unfair not to refund for genuine reasons, have a clear policy - minimum notice period, list of acceptable reasons (illness?) and stick to it.

Cheers

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04 Nov 05 - 03:40 PM (#1597542)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: GUEST

LOL those excuses are wonderful, Mooh! Police custody ain't one !'ve heard yet - I can hardly wait!

"FEES ARE FOR ENROLLMENT NOT ATTENDANCE, it says on my fee schedule."

That sounds like the simplest way to resolve this once and for all - in my own mind and in theirs! THANK YOU so much, Mooh!! And to you all!   Be back after work ---- I do hope they all show up! --- see?? Would it ever be nice to change my policies NOW, instead of waiting till next fall .....

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04 Nov 05 - 07:22 PM (#1597663)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: freightdawg

I think the others have said it - make them pay in advance. If they don't come with the money at the first of the month, send 'em back out to get it. That way you have your money whether they want to take the lesson or not. Also, if they have already paid it tends to sharpen their ability to tell time, remember things, etc.

This puts the monkey on your back for times when you are the one to have to cancel, but you can always credit the account if it is impossible to reschedule.

I like Mooh's statement. They are scheduling your TIME, not just your expertise.

The old farmer's adage fits here: "Mule kicks me once, shame on the mule. Mule kicks me twice, shame on me."

Freightdawg

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04 Nov 05 - 07:58 PM (#1597689)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Kaleea

When you have a big waiting list, you can set your policies as you like, no refunds & such. I have not always had the luxury of living in one place for many years to have long waiting lists. Nevertheless, if one shows the students & parents that you are to be respected as an educator, they are more likely to appreciate your time. The older I've gotten the less able I've been to do "normal" jobs & the more I need the $$, however--for those who have been faithfully with me for a long time, I'm more lax, especially when it is unusual for them to miss. My habit is to attempt to reschedule asap for another day, or perhaps 2 lessons next week. I attempt to help my students (& their parents) understand that Music lessons are a privilege, & an investment in oneself & one's future, therefore one must learn to be responsible & committed re lessons as one should for one's school work &/or job.
   When I speak with students & parents that I have such expectations of them along these lines, there is little problem with losing money to missed lessons. I also have lying about in my studio a copy of an article I wrote on "The So-Called Mozart Effect, or Why Music Makes You Smarter" which students & parents most always read at one point or another. This also helps them to understand the value of good Music Education, & hopefully, a good Music Educator.
   It also doesn't hurt that I usually keep my shingles & commendations & such (from the past 30 odd years) framed & displayed on my wall for all to see.

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04 Nov 05 - 11:27 PM (#1597816)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Peace

I have never taught music as a way to earn money--I just don't have the expertise or education for that. However, over the years I have helped about a dozen people learn to play guitar--usually with the forewarning that when they get beyond my ability to improve them, they have to go find a real teacher. My expectation and 'fee' was--and is, because I have a student now who's asking me for help with his chording, etc--that he/she MUST practice for an hour every day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year, NO downtime, no excuses, no shit! Five of those kids went on to other teachers. The other seven or so dropped out--well, dropped out is wrong. I dropped them out because their progress week to week indicated to me that they just weren't keeping up their end of the deal.

When I took lessons from JP Cousineau (I was twelve at the time and he charged me $.50 a lesson--yes, you could buy someting with fifty cents then), his policy was "I have made the time for you. Therefore, regardless the circumstance, you owe the $.50." Nothing unfair about that, IMO.

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05 Nov 05 - 01:29 AM (#1597848)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

Guest (above)...There are only three times of the year to change policy. September, because that's when most start their "instruction year"; January, because it fits with the tax calendar; and anytime that a law (or lawsuit) might change your requirements. However, I will never attempt to change the agreed conditions during the instruction year.

I put policy in writing. If my rates increase, I say why. I roll all my expenses into my fees so there are no registration, book, or service fees. Next September my hourly rate will rise to double my half hour rate, but the half hour rate will remain the same, unless costs suddenly escalate. Small towns don't seem to support the higher rates of the big city, but I imagine my overhead is less too.

Other policies?

No cell phones...and I don't use my phone during the lesson either.

No foul language.

Family members (or guardians) are welcome to watch the lesson, quietly.

The studio window (shutters and curtain) is usually open to the front entrance, so parents can feel there is an open accessability to the process.

Student MUST arrive with "lesson sheet" from previous lesson(s), music, and instrument. I will only provide an instrument if the student comes from school, or has repair issues.

I always run on time. If the student is late they get a shortened lesson.

Since I provide tons of paper (scales, exercises, public domain tunes, and music theory stuff) a binder is required. The exception is a student who appears to be nearly illiterate.

Electric students are not allowed to bring effect pedals, as they muddy the tone and disguise evidence of technique problems. To illustrate arrangements and such, my own effects might be used. Otherwise a clean signal is used, through my amps.

I like to think I run a pretty tight ship, but I'm always discovering new approaches to both the instruction and the business. I buy tons of books, talk with other instructors, listen to the needs and wants of individual students, listen to their music, and keep an open, friendly environment. It's hard work, but it's also the best job I've ever had.

Peace, Mooh.

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05 Nov 05 - 02:38 AM (#1597857)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: GUEST,Fullerton

My pupils pay a month in advance, at the first lesson of each calendar month.

Cancelled lessons:

Less than 24 hrs notice - full charge.

More than 24 hrs notice - 50% charge credited from the FOLLOWING months fees.

Holidays - I allow 1 week "holiday" at xmas and 2 weeks in the summer.

Not only does this make a difference to my income - it also improves attendance dramatically. Getting pupils to pay in advance means that YOU decide your terms.

I don't let children wait outside my house after a lesson - parents appreciate this kind of concern.

I allow parents and dogs into lessons - but not other children!! I like dogs!

When Parent and/or pupil arrive for their first lesson, I give them a printed flyer with all these details so that they know and understand my terms from the outset.

Good lesson excuses:

"I lost my shoe."

"My freind was sick." ( A common one when teaching in schools.)

I also have had pupils miss lessons because they were in police custody. I charged them - so did the police!!

Good Luck.

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05 Nov 05 - 06:29 AM (#1597918)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: MBSLynne

My kids have their music lessons at school, through Leicestershire Arts in Education, for which we pay a termly fee, in advance. (Fortunately subsidised by my son's school but not my daughter's) If the teacher is off sick or misses a lesson for any reason, we get a refund, but if the kids miss a lesson for ANY reason, we still have to pay. We don't find this unreasonable, though we do grumble occasionally. It's much more reasonable for a private teacher and i would expect to pay for lessons missed by us, as I would expect the teacher not to charge for lessons missed by him/her. If I were teaching like this, I would definitely charge for a certain number of lessons, in advance.

Love Lynne

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05 Nov 05 - 08:30 AM (#1597970)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

If I cancel, I'll refund or reschedule, but that's only happened a couple of times in the last few years, and only due to deaths in the family.

For time off, I generally take the school holidays as I still have school age kids myself, and find school holidays rife with cancellations, and no-shows. Last summer I did teach through July, but only attracted about 20-24 students, less than half my usual workload. I like lots of time off for myself.

Time off for relaxation or prep time through the day is very important to me too, so I schedule a break every couple of hours. Keeps my feeble mind a little sharper...and that should be better for the student. Luckily, working at home makes those breaks real easy.

It's been the only job where I can sleep at night knowing I've done some good for folks every day.

Peace, Mooh.

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05 Nov 05 - 12:27 PM (#1598063)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: *daylia*

THanks so much, everyone, for sharing your policies, experiences and suggestions here - both as students and as teachers. Wonderful food for thought! Even though I've come a long LONG way from the shakey teenager who charged $3 for 30 minutes, payable in cash at each lesson (or whenever ... sometimes if ever! - it happened to be convenient) I can definitely see major changes in the works re payment and scheduling requirements.

I've been paid monthly in advance for many years now, but the problem of certain people deducting the hourly fees for lessons they've missed or plan to miss, or expecting me to make up lessons cancelled at the last minute because they "forgot" or "the dog had surgery yesterday" etc etc etc STILL keeps me awake at night sometimes! Not to mention struggling to make ends meet at tax time, and during my many weeks of unpaid so-called "holidays" (summer, Xmas, March break).

It's been the only job where I can sleep at night knowing I've done some good for folks every day.

Yes, there's few things more rewarding than watching eyes light up with the realization "Wow ...I CAN do this after all! I must be more intelligent/ smarter/talented/creative than I thought! I sound so good! And it's so much fun ..."

ANd to have parents tell you how much they appreciate your influence and patience and teaching methods, because it's boosted their child's confidence and self-esteem and helped them academically as well. And then recommend you in glowing terms to everyone who asks for years ...

Or to have the honour of being asked to play for your former student's wedding(s), "because it would mean so much to the whole family to have you here." Remember? The one(s) you struggled so patiently with week after week from age 6, till she finished her Grade 9 was off to university - and now teaches students of her own.

That's happened to me twice this year! :-) *sniff sniff* So I must have been doing something right after all!   Makes all those former frustrations about not enough practice, missed exam deadlines - hey, even the odd missed and unpaid lesson - seem pretty trivial.

(For a little while, anyway - till the next time you realize you've been shorted a couple hundred this month because of other people's birthday parties or trips to the zoo ...)

Mooh, GUEST Nov 4 at 3:40 pm was me - sorry, it's strange but some days it takes forever to load this site when I'm logged in, so I log out and then forget to sign my posts ... arrggghhh ...

I was considering drawing up a brochure outlining new fee payment policies, beginning after Christmas. Explaining that the changes are due to coincide with the new fiscal (tax) year would smooth it over somewhat, I'm sure. Hmmm ...

Whether I start in Jan or next Sept, my new policy will definitely set a lump sum fee per student/family FOR ENROLLMENT, NOT ATTENDANCE!! (that's awesome - thanks so much!) to be paid in advance annually or in a specified number of post-dated cheques. Missed lessons for any reason will be considered paid, but I will continue to make every effort to reschedule appts cancelled for clearly spelled out legitimate reasons (illness if notified before 9am, death in the family, snow days).

Your explanations for those who might complain are wonderful - I'm copying them out. And your suggestions too, Kaleea - especially regarding putting my diplomas/credentials/degrees on display in my new studio. Haven't done that yet, not since I moved a couple years ago ... in fact, I'm going to make a copy of this whole thread!   I LOVE stealing the helpful, excellent words out of people's mouths sometimes - and you people will do wonders for my confidence as I explain all this to my students and parents!

Especially the ones I've been working with for 5-10-15 years already. But THAT'S where freightdawg's adage comes in so handy.

"KIck me once, shame on you. Kick me twice, shame on me".

I won't forget! Thank you all so much,

daylia

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05 Nov 05 - 04:47 PM (#1598240)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

daylia...Look for my PM. Mooh

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05 Nov 05 - 11:48 PM (#1598482)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Pauline L

Require payment for one month in advance -- and then keep good records. Show no mercy for excuses unless I'm notified 24 hours in advance. I bend the rules with students who I know to be reliable if they are sick or it snows and they can't give me 24 hours advance notice.(Where I live, drivers can't deal with even a forecast of snow, let alone the appearance of one snowflake.)

Now I have a chance to bitch about one student (make that one former student) who rarely showed up when he was scheduled. "My wife was sick and I had to pick the kid up after school." "I had car repairs earlier in the week and now I'm behind in my schedule." "I had a cold earlier in the week." "My cold came back this week." "My doctor told me to stay in bad until my cold goes away." To me, these things constitute a moral violation. The profession of this guy: rabbi. Grrrrrrrr.


I really like "FEES ARE FOR ENROLLMENT NOT ATTENDANCE."

I really, really like what Daylia said. It's been the only job where I can sleep at night knowing I've done some good for folks every day.

Yes, there's few things more rewarding than watching eyes light up with the realization "Wow ...I CAN do this after all! I must be more intelligent/ smarter/talented/creative than I thought! I sound so good! And it's so much fun ..."

ANd to have parents tell you how much they appreciate your influence and patience and teaching methods, because it's boosted their child's confidence and self-esteem and helped them academically as well. And then recommend you in glowing terms to everyone who asks for years ...

I've discussed these issues many times elsewhere on the Internet. Daylia, if you don't mind, I'd like to quote you on another site. (PM me, please.)

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06 Nov 05 - 07:59 AM (#1598579)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

Pauline's point of keeping good records is important. I don't do my own taxes anymore, having found a great accountant, so I (with my wife who used to be a banker) keep meticulous books. Every penny in and every penny out is recorded. Back when the money trickled in lesson by lesson, much of it in cash, we raided the cashbox too much, but now everything is banked and it takes a trip to the bank to get at it.

The year's worth of cheques are kept in our safe deposit box, so there's no risk of theft from our home/business. Nonetheless, I'm well insured for the usual household and business coverage as well as personal liability.

Peace, Mooh.

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06 Nov 05 - 10:22 AM (#1598633)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: *daylia*

I agree about keeping accurate records - I figured that out many years ago, when I was payed (sporadically) in cash. Surprisingly enough, over the last couple years I've had a couple families voluntarily hand me the year's worth of post-dated cheques in Sept. Two more have insisted on paying me in advance in a lump sum for the term, rather than having to tally up the weeks (which gives them the chance to deduct a couple if they're so inclined) and remember to send a monthly cheque (which often arrives a week or two late anyway). They tell me it's easier for them, and I've discovered just how much easier it makes the financial end of things for me!

Well, it's high time to insist that EVERYONE do this, to implement and practice more impersonal, professional studio policies. To stick by my policies for making up missed lessons too, no matter what - and stop being suckered in by my old habits that do no good, by feeble excuses, by "sympathy" and a desire to please, or by fear of losing students (as Mooh says, they are easily replaced anyway, and he's right!). My stress levels, bank accounts and fellow teachers here on the Cat tell me so!

See? WHen I'm open to learning, my students always "teach" me exactly what I need to know - and they make it imperative that I practice my new "skills" every day too!    :-)

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06 Nov 05 - 02:51 PM (#1598785)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

On the whole, people prefer the pay at the start routine so that they don't need to keep remembering or being reminded. Limits the remembering and reminding I have to do too, and makes the job even more enjoyable.

Agreed, students push the teacher to work harder, practice and research more, and improve their skills.

One downside to what I do is the commute past the fridge every couple of hours.

Peace, Mooh.

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07 Nov 05 - 03:34 AM (#1599115)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: GUEST

It's been the only job where I can sleep at night knowing I've done some good for folks every day.

Pauline, forgot to point out that Mooh gets the credit for that one! (from his post Nov 5 8:30 am)

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07 Nov 05 - 03:36 AM (#1599116)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: GUEST,*daylia*

Oops that was me above (again! arrghh)

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07 Nov 05 - 10:04 AM (#1599327)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: *daylia*

My expectation and 'fee' was--and is, because I have a student now who's asking me for help with his chording, etc--that he/she MUST practice for an hour every day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year, NO downtime, no excuses, no shit! Five of those kids went on to other teachers. The other seven or so dropped out--well, dropped out is wrong. I dropped them out because their progress week to week indicated to me that they just weren't keeping up their end of the deal.

Peace, I admire - and envy! - your requirements for practice. If teaching music was not my primary means of bringing home the bacon, I'd have much more stringent practice policies myself. As it is, my students are urged to practice AT LEAST 4X a week, and the more the merrier of course. I've found this is the absolute minimum for satisfactory - but certainly not optimal! - musical progress.

I don't like setting time limits for practice though. It tends to turns students into clock-watchers rather than dedicated musicians, and brings back my own childhood memories of feeling miserably TRAPPED at that piano every day. The second hand on that clock used to take HOURS and HOURS to make even one rotation .... ;-)

SO instead, I tell my students they are to practice each assigned piece, scale, exercise at least 3X each session - however long that takes. And, just to be safe, I let parents know that my practice requirements should take approx the same amount of time as the child's weekly lesson - give or take a few minutes.

WHen students abide by my policies, they do progress satisfactorily, and a lot of them do comply - but a lot of others don't. Truthfully, if I let all the students who don't practice enough go, I'd be looking for another job real quick, just to make ends meet. So, I deal with frustration as a teacher quite a bit - and I've learned to just let it go. I've done my very best with them, after all, and I do need to pay my bills!

I know that many, it not most of the internationally-acclaimed teachers at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto refuse to enroll students unless they practice an hour a day for the first year, two hours and up every year after that. That policy includes even 6 year olds! Personally, I think that's ridiculous! The average 6 year old wants and needs to be outside running off their energy and discovering the other, non-musical wonders of life more than sitting at a piano for hours every day. 20-30 minutes at that age is more than enough imo!

Yet, some people have no problem regimenting even the youngest children this way. And that's how you get all those little Japanese and Korean kids at hte Festival, playing Chopin nocturnes and Bach Fugues at age 9, competing against students 5-10 years their senior. And walking home with all the trophies too.

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07 Nov 05 - 11:08 AM (#1599359)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

I recommend one half hour per day minimum for everyone regardless of level and age. That can be two 15 minute periods if it works better for the personality and/or household. Intermediate and up students really need to double that to excel. But I'm not deluded, I know many don't practice nearly that much, and it shows. I tell them I can tell how much they practice, and it's their choice whether they excel.

I also tell every student to prepare for their lesson by practicing on the day of the lesson, once before to refresh their memory and hands, once after to reinforce what they just learned while it's still fresh in the mind and hands.

Practice should be done while rested, unstressed, uninterupted, and undistracted. Practice does NOT have to be directly witnessed by parent or more experienced musician, though weekly check-ups by whoever is responsible is advised. Practice is not a performance. Practicing in private reduces stress.

Peace, Mooh.

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07 Nov 05 - 01:19 PM (#1599416)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: *daylia*

Practice should be done while rested, unstressed, uninterupted, and undistracted. Practice does NOT have to be directly witnessed by parent or more experienced musician, though weekly check-ups by whoever is responsible is advised. Practice is not a performance. Practicing in private reduces stress.


This is very helpful, Mooh. I know my students will appreciate it too! Thank you very much!

One teacher I know used to keep a "class practice chart" on her studio wall, listing every student's name, dates + their weekly practice achievements for all to see. Those with "perfect practice records" each week got a star beside their name.   And those with 4 stars at the end of the month got a freshly-baked brownie.

Her students did do very well, for the most part - that chart in her studio looked like the Milky Way! In fact, I could only see two problems with this approach:

1) it tends to produce very competitive students, who measure themselves according to their neighbour's abilities, standards, progress and performances rather than their own, and

2) it tends to produce this alarmingly rapid expansion of the teacher's waistline.

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07 Nov 05 - 09:52 PM (#1599706)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

Tends to make liars out of some too.

I'll supply a nice little chart for the personal use of a problem student, but beyond that they can organize themselves. Never been much for holding hands.

Somehow I have to believe that encouragement, verbal rewards, friendship, and generosity of spirit should work better than baked goods.

One little girl once described herself to me as "stupid". She has proven to be honest, hard working, and loves her guitar. Stupid she is not, and every lesson that I am able to find something to praise just makes her work harder and happier. In the process she is teaching me something of human nature. It's a humbling experience to learn from a nine year old who describes herself as stupid.

One other policy: no wanking while I'm talking.

Peace, Mooh.

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07 Nov 05 - 11:01 PM (#1599743)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Phil Cooper

I don't do many private students. I ask people who aske me for lessons what style of guitar playing they want to learn. If I'm not the person to teach them, I suggest they find someone else. I also charge a fairly high fee to discourage someone who's not serious. However, I don't rely on lessons for my living. If I did, I would follow Mooh's policy and many of the other suggestions here.

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08 Nov 05 - 06:12 PM (#1600269)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: M.Ted

I taught mostly in a performing arts school, where students always paid the school by the term, attend or not--and received a regular paycheck-- I wouldn't have survived on my own, since I am very bad at the multitude of non-musical skills that it requires to do the "lessons" business as others have outlined so well above--

I did had a slightly different way of working with my relatively few private students--which was that I generally had a close-ended, objective oriented arrangement--i.e. I'll teach you to play x,y,and z in x number of lessons, over x amount of time, for x amount of dollars.

The big problem that private music teachers have is that you have only so much time, and there is only so much that you can charge, so, unless you have another source of income, you eat or starve, depending on how you manage your no-shows--

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08 Nov 05 - 06:17 PM (#1600273)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: M.Ted

Oh, and my no-show story isn't even an excuse--I had an adult student who sat in his car, in front of my apartment, talking on his cell phone for the entire lesson period,then came in and proceeded to complain because he didn't feel like my lessons were getting him anywhere. Funnily enough, that was his last day.

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09 Nov 05 - 12:01 PM (#1600705)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: GUEST,*daylia*

Ooo Ted, I bet you lost a lot of sleep over that one!   ;-)

One little girl once described herself to me as "stupid". She has proven to be honest, hard working, and loves her guitar. Stupid she is not, and every lesson that I am able to find something to praise just makes her work harder and happier. In the process she is teaching me something of human nature. It's a humbling experience to learn from a nine year old who describes herself as stupid.

Mooh, sounds to me like she's found the perfect teacher. What a heartwarmer .... may you have many successful years working together!

Many moons ago, when I was young and inexperienced, a bright-eyed 7-yr old boy arrived at my studio for his very first lesson. I'd spoken to his mom on the phone, explaining times, fees, practice requirements etc, but I'd never met the child before.

Well, 5 minutes into the lesson I was shocked to see the child was missing part of the middle finger on his right hand. :-O    HIs mom explained he'd got it caught in the clothesline wheel as a toddler - sliced off everything from just below the first knuckle. As I sat there on 'stun', all I could hear was my own teacher's voice, and what I imagined my fellow "registered" qualified piano-teaching colleagues would have advised: "Forget it. This kid literally doesn't have what it takes to ever become a decent pianist. Show him the door right now. instead of wasting time and money and risking your reputation as a teacher ...."

But I just couldn't find the heart to stomp all over that child's bubbling enthusiasm and obvious desire to learn music. So I shut my mouth, swallowed my shock, stifled all the objections in my head, and carried on as if he were any other student. Knowing all the while that he certainly would not have been welcome in the studio of a "higher calibre" teacher than myself.

Well, he proved all those pre-judgements wrong in the long run! That child had a fine natural "ear", loved his music with a passion and turned out to be one of the most faithful practicers I ever taught. It was wonderful to watch how easily he compensated for that missing "part"! By the time he was 12 he'd finished his grade 6 on the piano, including all the technique I'd feared he'd never be able to handle at all - never mind perform up to speed with even a passably smooth tone!

Then he decided to follow in a folkie cousin's footsteps and learn
guitar as well as piano. His family moved, and the last I heard he's been writing his own material, formed a rock/folk band of his own and is now playing the local venues regularly.

If I'd turned that child away at age 7, he might have been scarred for life, musically speaking. He might have labelled himself "less than" or "handicapped", and never have found the confidence to approach another teacher. I'm so glad now that I handled it my own way; overlooking those apparent 'shortcomings' and relating to him on a caring, and yes "personal" level, rather than as a cold but "qualified" studio professional with impeccably high standards for accepting students!

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09 Nov 05 - 06:40 PM (#1600995)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

Here I sit waiting out a last minute cancellation...

I certainly wouldn't turn away a student for a physical limitation, that smacks of elitism, never mind prejudice. Had a gentleman take lessons for two seasons with no expectation of a future. He literally said he didn't think he'd live too long as he was missing various organ parts. He was right. However, with his very limited finger use he played one finger chords in open tunings on his resonator. His fingers just didn't move well, but he loved to get together with his old chums and bang out country tunes. I coached more than taught, and learned something of helping the disabled. I hated taking his money as it felt like "professional development" for me, but he wanted to be treated like everyone else. Another student who taught me more than I taught him.

This year's challenge hasn't been as great, but a father and son from Belguim have been both fun and enlightening. Language barriers fall fast and hard when music is the common goal.

Seriously, the world needs more musicians and fewer warmongers. Help turn the tide.

Peace, Mooh.

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11 Nov 05 - 10:01 AM (#1602323)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: *daylia*

Another student who taught me more than I taught him.

I love this!

Seriously, the world needs more musicians and fewer warmongers. Help turn the tide.

I agree. I WANNA SEE DUBYA ON MY ROSTER!   I'd even offer him a discount ... hey, here's a deal! He cuts the military budget by 50% and funnels those excess billions into medicare, education, job creation and environmental "repairs" instead, and I'll teach him for free! :-)

But to change keys a bit here, just gotta share this ... last night I had one of those "weird" experiences that feels like the "divine Powers that be" are giving me a message through my students. I was going over practice requirements with an 11-yr old, hyping up the many benefits of regular practice - sounding better, faster progress, more productive, enjoyable, and stress-free lessons.

Well, as soon as mentioned "stress", the kid started chuckling. Said one of his schoolteachers - one Mrs "Wannawitch" (the name had him laughing harder) - was told by her doctor last week that she has to quit teaching "because the stress is making all her teeth fall out." By the time he finished the story he was just about falling off the bench, tears rolling down his face in hysterical laughter ....

I admit I was chuckling too by then - his hilarity was infectious - but I cut it short with a heartfelt "Y'know, Neal, that's just NOT as funny as you think!!!"   

Strange how I'd had 2 teeth give me their notice just this year, for the first time in my life. I actually lost the first one last Feb - right when I was coping with 3 families "on extended vacations" and docking my cheques accordingly, plus at least 10 calls/week asking me to reschedule lessons for sports, dances, school trips etc etc etc ....

The other one started acting up the very week I went back to work in Sept, during that initial period of "scheduling stresses" at the start of a new term. It's on probation right now - if it acts up again it'll have to go    :-(

Hey, implementing Mooh's studio policies after Xmas, as I'm planning, might just save that poor tooth's life! So again, thank you very much Mooh - from me and all my teeth too!

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11 Nov 05 - 11:47 AM (#1602387)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: M.Ted

Daylia, and Mooh, as the parent of a special needs child, let me tell you how much appreciated your efforts are--the truth is that the most difficult barriers to overcome are in the minds of those who won't give them a chance--

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11 Nov 05 - 01:17 PM (#1602473)
Subject: RE: Private music teachers - your policies?
From: Mooh

M.Ted...Look for a PM. Thanks.

Stress sucks. Been there done that, and talked at length about it on the Mudcat. Don't wanna go there again. I do everything I can to prevent and avoid stress now, hence the policies. Much more time for real learning and just plain fun.

Peace, Mooh.

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