8 Steps to Choosing the Perfect Music Teacher for Your Child

With a myriad of choices out there for music teachers these days, from the page after page of independent music teachers on Craigslist to local music schools and stores to nationwide databases of music teachers, how do you sort through all of these teachers and find the perfect one for your child? And more importantly, how will you know if you are investing in someone who will help your child realize their musical goals and who you also feel safe leaving your child alone with for between 30 and 60 minutes every week? Here are 8 key steps to finding the perfect teacher for your child.

Choose a Reputable Company

These companies have already screened, background checked, interviewed, and sorted through music teachers to hire the ones that are the best of the best to work for them. If you choose to go through Craigslist (a free posting site where anyone can add a listing) or the local newspaper listings, you really don't know what you are going to get and it could potentially be dangerous if you are inviting them to your home. Choose a company to go through to ensure that you receive a quality instructor who has been screened and background checked. All instructors at www.ilovemusiclessons.com are background checked prior to stepping foot in any student's home and we also go through our database regularly to ensure that only the best, most qualified, and most responsive instructors are the ones that you see on the site.

Find Out About the Instructor's Education/Certifications/Awards/Performances

The higher the instructor's education level and their certifications, the more serious they are about music and are much more vested in what they are doing vs. someone who has not spent time and money on educating themselves in music and theory. Oftentimes instructors will list performances on their websites or profiles online, and this is also valuable information as it shows that they also "practice what they preach" and that there are people who actually wanted to hear them play their music.

Have Your Child Meet the Instructor

It is important to make sure that the instructor and your child's personalities are compatible. Purchase a few sessions to start with so they can try a few sessions together; some instructors even offer a free assessment session, so that is something worth taking advantage of if offered. Do their personalities mesh well? Does the teacher show respect to your child and to their individuality? Is the teacher's style compatible with your child's learning style?

Request a Background Check

If you choose to not go through an established company to hire a music teacher, be sure to ask for background check. This is important, especially if you invite the instructor into your home for in-home lessons. Oftentimes, instructors will have a recent background check or you can perform one yourself.

Find Out if the Instuctor is Structured

It is important to know that your instructor is professional and organized about conducting lessons, not just during each individual session but in regards to the bigger picture of your child's lessons. What the teachers does over the long term and the goals that they set and help your child achieve are what separates a quality instructor that will help your child learn and progress from one that will still have your child playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" after 2 years of instruction. Things to look for -- Is the instructor organized? Do they structure each lesson for maximum learning or do they waste a lot of time on chit-chat? Ask them how they will help your child to achieve goals and see if they have a good plan. Are goals set? How will the teacher report to you on progress? How is progress measured? And what curriculum is used?

Ask About Rates

Asking about a teacher's rates is often very revealing in terms of finding out if they are a qualified instructor. We all want to save money, but it is important to remember that a good teacher that returns value and is qualified will command a higher rate. And of course, who shouldn't be paid what they are worth? Good quality teachers are not easy to come by, so one who is good knows it and will charge more. Someone right out of high school and/or is not highly trained in music or theory will not charge as much, but remember what you may be sacrificing in value if you choose to hire someone who is not as qualified because they charge a lower rate. Your child may develop poor habits that are very hard to undo and you will need to hire someone more qualified to help them learn the proper way anyway down the road. So, it is best to remember the old saying, "You get what you pay for" and select a quality instructor from the beginning.

Evaluate Communication Skills

Initially, a good indication of quality communication skills will show before you and the instructor actually meet in person in how quickly and how professionally the instructor gets back to you when you first contact them. A true professional will get back to you promptly and will speak to you respectfully, listen to you when you speak without interrupting, and will also ask you questions about how they can best serve you. When meeting with them for the first time, watch how they speak to your child. Are they respectful to them? Do they explain things well? How do they speak to your child when she does not understand something? Do they come up with different, creative ways of explaining or do they get frustrated?

Find Out What Styles of Music Are Taught

Some parents want their children to be classically trained or to use the Suzuki method and others just don't care as long as their child is having fun and learning. If you have a specific style you want your child to learn, be sure to find out what styles the teacher teaches and more importantly make sure they were also trained in that particular style. There is nothing worse than a teacher who claims to teach a particular style yet was never trained in that style themselves. This is especially true when it comes to classical music as this style takes many years of study to master and is complex in nature. Since children will develop bad habits and ideas that can take years to undo with improper instruction, it is better that they learn the right way the first time.

Search for a Music Teacher Here!