Sharp Piano Teacher » become a piano teacher

Becoming Wealthy Teaching Piano Lessons?

Sheryl — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:24:59 +0000

Ask the average piano teacher how to become a wealthy piano teacher and you’ll probably hear “you can’t” for an answer. The general consensus is that teaching piano is a labor of love that happens to also pay the bills, but not much more. But that’s not true. I know how to become a wealthy piano teacher. And you can discover how to become a wealthy piano teacher too. The answers are right here in this article.

It’s all a matter of perception.

You see, most piano teachers don’t think of themselves as entrepreneurs. They don’t understand that they are actually in two businesses. Sure, they are in the business of teaching every budding Ludwig van Beethoven how to tickle the ivory and how to tell a treble clef from a bass clef, but they are also in the business of being in business.

That means that besides cracking open the music books, they also have to crack open the accounting books. They have to make time to separate the black and white keys from the black and white numbers. They have to learn how to run a profitable business LIKE it was a business and not a hobby.

If you want to learn how to become a wealthy piano teacher, you have to learn how to run a successful business. This means that you need to run a profit and loss statement, identify your overhead, analyze your rates, and determine what you need to do to raise your standard of living without working yourself into an early grave.

Does that sound impossible? It isn’t. In fact, the only thing I’m asking you to do is what every other successful business person in the world does every day — run your business at a profit. Want to know how to become a wealthy piano teacher? Make believe you’re a lawyer, or a doctor, or a plumber instead. No, I’m serious. Here’s what I mean.

No matter what business you are in, even teaching piano, you’re selling something. Shopkeepers sell merchandise, lawyers, doctors, plumbers and, yes, piano teachers sell their skills. And they sell it by the hour. If you aren’t getting top dollar for the time you spend teaching your students how to boogie woogie, you’re leaving money on the table. That’s money that should be in your pocket instead.

One of the keys to earning top dollar for your classical, concert and jazz piano skills is to raise your visibility in the market and make yourself appear to be more exclusive than your competitors. People with money in their pockets are willing to pay for exclusivity and the benefits that come with learning from the best of the best.

That’s only one trick you need to learn in order to discover how to become a wealthy piano teacher. There are so many more.

Technorati Tags: piano teaching business, teach piano lessons, teaching classical piano, wealthy piano teacher

how do i become better at sight reading piano music?

Sheryl — Mon, 03 May 2010 07:33:00 +0000

Hi-
I’ve been taking piano lessons for five years, and the lessons were unconventional…meaning the teacher taught me to play by finger numbers and using my ear before reading sheet music. i can play songs such as bach’s 1st invention and i’m learning grieg’s notturno, but to make a long story short…i SUCK at reading sheet music. my question is, am i behind on my piano abilities…should i be able to do more than i can at this stage? how do i get better at reading sheet music? thanks so much =]

The key to better sight reading is to keep learning unfamilliar pieces that don’t take too long to finish. Obviously, you’ll need to use the sheet music and not just rely on your ear. If your piano teacher is spoon-feeding you the correct notes or finger numbers instead of helping you figure it out yourself from the music, you may need a new teacher.

My suggestion is to get a book songs that aren’t too difficult for your ability, and just start learning them. You don’t have to learn them perfectly. In fact, once you sort of know a piece, practicing it further won’t improve your sightreading much, so just move on to the next song.

Of course, it’s good to also be working on a harder piece that you plan to learn thoroughly, because this will advance your playing ability and technique.

So, this question has probably been asked a lot. But how do you become a music teacher?

Sheryl — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:32:31 +0000

An elementary/middle school music teacher.
I’ve been trying to find out what i need to become one, but im having no luck.

I know some theory, I definitely should learn know more.
I’m self taught at piano and I play my flute religiously, and i know how to play clarinet .
I can pick up any instrument if i put my mind to it.

But What i really want to know is what classes should i take in high school to help me get into that field.

im in grade 11 second semester.
First semester i took
Band
Math
English
Socials

this semester i am taking
Bio
Chem
band/ work experience (the switch everyday)
C.A.L.M

what is a good collage / university for becoming a music teacher? (in Canada)
what are the requirements to get in?

if ANYONE knows pleeaaaseee I need some help!
thanks!!

Go to college. Earn you Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. This will have all the requirements you need to teach in your area.

How long will it take to learn the piano?

Sheryl — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:07:02 +0000

I’m 16 and have always wanted to play the piano but have always put it off. I am now considering becoming a music teacher and need to be able to play the piano. I would probably have a year and a half to two years. I play 2 other instruments and take music in school so I know the theory part of music. I am also quite good at keyboard and am willing to practice a lot. Would I be able to do it?

i started when i was 4 and i am now 16, and on grade 8, so yes i would say it takes quite a while but its not too late.
if you play keyboard then this will help you but sure give it a go!
im not sure if you will be able to have it up to a high enough standard in 18 months for music teaching but if you put in enough work and effort then you never know.
i wish you the best.

What should I be when I grow up?

Sheryl — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:26:53 +0000

I’m 13, and my parents told me I should decide what I want to go to colege for.
At school, I suck at science.
I’m pretty good with Math.
English is my best subject.
I love Music.
I play the piano, so I would like to be a piano teacher, but I don’t know what classes i would take to become a piano teacher.
I love all kinds of arts.
I also like history a lot.
And I have OCD, so I am very neat, and organises.
But what I like a lot is also helpinh people with Mental Health.
And even though I’m young, I answer a lot of questions in the Mental Health section.
So what should I be when I grow up?

Airline Pilot. Travel the world.

Activities Director on a Cruise Ship. A great life.

teach piano to poor kids in a school.

Be a doctor and save lives.

Own your own restaurant.

I want to become a music teacher.?

Sheryl — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 09:37:02 +0000

Im good in piano and guitar. but i want to teach so what is going to be my major. i dont understand how it works. i have some people telling me i have to major in an instrument and others telling me otherwise. which is it? please i really need some information.

You need to find a university that offers a degree in Music education. Most every university that offers a degree in music, will also have one in music education. For the most part, you’ll take all the same classes as the other music majors, with just a few differences. If you decide you want to teach instrumental music, you’ll need to audition on an instrument which will be your primary instrument which you’ll focus on in the university, but you’ll also learn to play most the other instruments through classes. If you decide you want to focus on vocal music, you’ll sing for your audition and focus on voice and choir directing. Since you’re a pianist, you’ll want to audition on the piano. You’ll take lots of piano lessons (all students will but you’re will be more) and then you may take some voice lessons or band instrument lessons depending on what type of music you want to teach. It is possible to teach both types, it normally takes a semester longer.

The important thing is to practice your specialty instrument a lot now, which I’d suggest it be piano over the guitar, and start looking at universities with music programs. Once you get into the university, they will advice you on all the classes to take so that when you graduate, you’ll be certified to teach music.

Help with college…. !?

Sheryl — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:12:41 +0000

I have no idea where to go for College.
I want to be a high school English teacher.
I would find that job very fulfilling. On the side though, like during summer, or whenever I wanted, I would want to write, or be an author.
What classes do I need to take?
What would I major in?

And after I retire from that, I would like to become a piano teacher.
I love the piano, and I would love to teach it.
Would I minor in music?
What is a minor, exactly?

Haha.

think
Major = important, vigorous
Minor = unsatasfilling, un-urgent

so a minor class is kinda liek an elective in high school ormiddle school

for example, biology is mandatory in college,
so if you dont’ want to become a biologist when you grow up, biology will be your minor class

About……………………………………..?

Sheryl — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:07:47 +0000

I’m learning Grade 7 piano and I will soon be learning Grade 8. I heard that Grade 8 is teaching level. So does that mean I can teach AFTER I learn Grade 8 or WHILE???

Also in Australia do you have to apply for some sort of license to become a piano teacher? And do you have to be a certain age? Because I’m turning 13 but I’m not going to be a paino teacher, I’m just curious…

you can teach.. but you have to choose which books you want to use for teaching.. BUT!!

you have lots of rivals out there.. people usually choose people who did master degree in music [piano] to teach their children.. but people who want cheap prices will look for a teacher who only completed grade 8 or any other tuition..

good luck..

anyone else think that this is unfair? 1O P!?

Sheryl — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:16:46 +0000

um yeah i don’t know what category this is… lmao =1

Well ive been going to piano lessons for like 7 months now cuz i took piano this semester. Outside of school my extra piano teacher now says that I have to perform one piano piece for a concert that’s going to feature all her students. I told her that I don’t wanna just because I have stage fright and I am gonna be busy studying for exams the time I would be preparing for the concert. Now she’s all up in my case saying that I have to play and crap like that. But I really don’t want to and I even told my parents and they said I have to help my confidence and crap. Well I have good confidence and I am not going to become a piano teacher and crap so I don’t get why I have to do this. Its not even for school just for random ppl at some place to show of the piano teachers work and stuff. Seriously does anyone else think that its unfair how she’s forcing this on me?

and i pay that piano teacher i don’t have to do anything =p….

Best thing to do is tell your parents you need that time to be studing for classes and exams! If worse comes to worse you can always fake sick

Anyone else think that this is unfair? 1O P!?

Sheryl — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:02:35 +0000

um yeah i don’t know what category this is… lmao =1

and i pay that piano teacher i don’t have to do anything =p….
26 minutes ago – 4 days left to answer.

You’re right if you’re paying, you don’t have to! But it sounds like your parents are paying, so it’s the other way around haha if they want you to play you have to – sorry!

But it’s not so bad. You really should get used to playing in public, it’s a great way to improve confidence, and ultimately very rewarding.
Everybody who starts out is scared of performing in public, everyone I know anyway – it’s natural to have nerves and it’s like a rite of passage for anyone learning to play any instrument to go through their first public performance. Better to do it while you’re a t grade one so you’re used to it than wait to a higher grade where the performance expected is greater and so the nerves are that much more.

It may seem very bad, but it’s not, you’ll be pleased when you’ve done in and gotten over the fear – or at least proud that you’ve managed to grit your teeth and do it anyway!