Sharp Piano Teacher » teaching piano

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 you start teaching a beginner piano?

Sheryl — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:32:26 +0000

I’m 16 and kind of want some money, i’m going to teach some kids beginners piano but I was really young when I started so I can’t remember the first things my teacher every taught me.
Should I just get some beginner piano books and go through it?

Yes, definitely get the books, they’ll guide you into anything you may miss out.

is teaching yourself to play electric guitar of piano easier?

Sheryl — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 09:36:56 +0000

i really want to teach myself guitar or piano and i was wondering which is easier. i get money on my birthday and i already have some and i found a guitar i want so i might get it. but we already have a piano. so yeah i could teach myself and everything but which one is easier to teach yourself??

I honestly think it’s easier to teach yourself how to play the piano. Just get a really in depth book on the correct ways to play. I bought an electric guitar during Thanksgiving Break about 4 years ago, and I tried SO hard to learn. I didn’t get a teacher, but I printed out guitar tabs from online. I learned a few songs I knew, but I couldn’t keep up with it. Once school started for me again, I gave up. I still occasionaly pick it up and play, but it mostly just stays in the corner of my room and collects dust. The piano is easier for me to remember how to play. Anyone can start, since it only requires finger movements, and counting. But the guitar requires more training of your fingers, since you have to stretch them. I HOPE THIS HELPS!

Are there any truly effective self-paced piano teaching programs available for beginners?

Sheryl — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:12:37 +0000

I have always wanted to learn how to play piano, but have very limited time and an erratic schedule. How can I go about learning at my own pace and in the privacy of my own home?

Try the faber Piano Adventures series for Adults. You can ask for it at your local sheet music store, or find it on http://www.fjhmusic.com/piano/apa.htm

I would suggest you to look for a teacher who might let you come to a lesson once per month. Not many teachers would allow, this but some may. And it is crucial you have some instruction from a professional. You may not realize some bad habits you may develop (incorrect hand structure, posture issues, rhythm issues) and you’ll need someone there to correct those before they become permanant problems.
You may like to search for a teacher on one of these sites:
http://www.musicstaff.com
http://www.pianoteachers.com
http://www.mtna.org

Good luck to you, and enjoy the piano!

How far could my son get self teaching piano ?He is quite dextous and has been playing the same tunes awhile?

Sheryl — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:07:38 +0000

I offered to pay him money instead of getting a new teacher .
He has already started learning the next two songs in his book

H is 11 years old.He has been playing about 2 years
maybe I will let him try for a few months and then get a teacher ,and see how it is .

it depends, actually.
I’m 14 years old, and I’ve been playing for the past 10 years. And in my opinion, getting a teacher is the best way to go. Even at $1 a minute, it is still worth it, because the teachers help a bunch with technique and other things. hah, my dad never offered ME any money, hmm…

Is teaching yourself piano hard to do?

Sheryl — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:16:39 +0000

I would like to play piano and think that I can teach myself to play……is that a good assumption

You can teach yourself to play only if you have drive. However a teacher, "quickens" the learning pase. So yes it is a good assumtion. But you wount learn THAT quick

i want to start teaching piano lessons, what do i need to do?

Sheryl — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:02:31 +0000

im just about to finish my 8th grade ABRSM piano exams and im in need of extra cash, so i thought id give piano lessons..please tell me what i need to do and how much i should charge.. im a college student and i have classes till 5 every day, but im free on the weekends..i dont want alot of kids either, that would be too much work, i was thinking maybe 10 kids max. thanx in advance xx

Have you thought of working at a local music store that offers private lessons to their kids? I don’t know how readily available they are in your country, but many of my peers, while I attended college, taught at local music stores.

#1) Create a syllabus of expectations and have both the parent and child sign it. Make it clear that if a child does not practice, you have the right to send them home and still will be paid for your time. Secondly, also include that if a child does not show up to a lesson and doesn’t notify you in advance, you will still be paid.

#2) Decide *where* you’re going to give lessons. Your place? Theirs? On your college campus? In any case, make sure it’s an open and public area. If possible, ask for the parent to accompany the lesson (if it’s not at their place), or, ask for permission to videotape the lesson. This is to protect you from legal problems (accusations of harassment and related) – make sure to include on your syllabus that, if you videotape the lesson, it will solely be used for educational purposes and legal purposes.
I’d suggest you give the parent the videotape/DVD when the child no longer takes lessons with you – that way the parent feels a little more comfortable.

If they don’t agree to a videotape, ask if you can just record the lesson on cassette tape or any other recording device you prefer. This prevents any legal problems from arising, as you have proof of what goes on the lesson.

#3) Decide a flat rate. Personally, as a music teacher *now* and a college graduate, I charge $25 per 30 minutes, but I will go as low as $15 for some students. I keep rates to myself and only discuss them with the people who pay, or on a need-to-know basis. I keep flexibility depending upon the student – some families won’t have that much money, so I adjust depending upon the situation. I don’t want to deprive a child of lessons. BUT, I do this because I teach in a low-income area.
While I was in college, I charged $10 per half an hour. Relate your charges to your experience – if you’re fairly new, start with a medium rate of maybe $10-18 per 30 minutes.

#4) Make the needed materials CLEAR in the syllabus and make sure the students know they are responsible for their materials, NOT you. Obviously they will need a piano, but you decide what kind of piano they need. Make sure to include recommendations for brands and *where* to purchase them.

#5) Keep a lesson plan log for EVERY child. Decide what pieces you want them to achieve after a certain amount of time and document what you do to get there.

#6) Don’t expect to get 10 kids right away. That’s actually quite a lot of lessons right there – try 2 or 3 at first. That way you can test the waters and see how it goes.

Good luck!

I am teaching myself piano and i need help?

Sheryl — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:17:37 +0000

I am trying to teach myself how to play the piano and i know the basic notes and everything but i was just wondering what would be the best way to learn

The local library may have some videos that may help.
My library had this Piano For Quitters and it was good:
http://www.pianoforlife.com/connection.html

Best method for teaching piano to adult beginners?

Sheryl — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:51:55 +0000

I have played piano all my life (mostly classically trained) and have been asked to give piano lessons to an adult beginner. There are so many methods out there (and many of them are specifically for children), I was wondering if any of you have had experience teaching piano to adults and what method you used. For instance, when do you introduce reading notes? Or do you wait so the student can learn to rely on his ear? Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Take a look at the Adult Piano Method by Faber and Faber. I believe it is titled Adult Piano Adventures. I have used almost every adult piano method on the market, and this is by far my favorite.
You would still want to supplement with other books, particularly a genre of music that interests the student, but this series would provide a wonderful foundation.
You can learn more about this method on this website: http://www.fjhmusic.com/piano/apa.htm

Feel free to contact me with other questions that may come up during the course of your teaching.
Good luck to you and your student!

i am going to start teaching piano classes and i need to make a contract, but i’m not sure of what to put!

Sheryl — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 06:51:46 +0000

My program is for six months and after six months if the student wants to continue then they need to renew the contract. I charge $80.00 a month for an hour of class each week.

Okay!
1. You need to have a form that icludes personal information.
2. You need to have a signed contract.
3. Figure out the rules: If you don’t come. Canceling. Any make up days?
4. Make a contract that icludes the charge or fee, how long the class is for, when it is and any other information regarding the class.
5. You need to have a receipt that iclude the person’s name, date, cost and your name.

Here is a good website that can give you some more information:
http://www.allbusiness.com/3470951-1.html?yahoo1=contracts&OVRAW=making%20a%20contract&OVKEY=a%20contract&OVMTC=advanced

I hope that I helped!