Interview with Richard Rossicone
- I Love Music Lessons
- Aug 22, 2015
- 4 min read
Give us some of your background information? I have been studying guitar and music since I was 8 years old. I currently hold an Associates Degree in Fine Arts, a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree in Music Therapy and I studied classical guitar and music history for a number of years pursuing a second Masters Degree. I am formally trained with all the usual classes such as sight reading, ear training and keyboard harmony etc. My first guitar teacher stressed sight reading and we worked through the first 6 volumes of the Mel Bay Guitar Method as well as the first 2 volumes of the Berklee Guitar Method in addition to all the sight reading I did when I was studying classical guitar. I began teaching in 1993 out of necessity quite frankly. I needed to make extra money but I quickly found out that I really enjoyed teaching guitar and music in general. It became just a way to make quick cash to a full on passion of mine.
What are the types of services and products offered?
I offer in home guitar, piano and general and more advanced music instruction.
How did you land one of my first clients?
I advertised in the Village Voice and got my first student in Manhattan. I gradually advertised in local newspapers, continued to grow the business by word of mouth and built my business up to anywhere between 20-45 students a week depending on the situational factors; economy, summer vacations etc. I also worked part time at a few guitar stores giving lessons. At those stores I was teaching about 60 students a week in addition to my private business. When those stores eventually folded I was able to add a few students to my private schedule with the permission of the owners. A big lesson to learn is to never burn bridges and always do the right thing by your employers and students. This philosophy and ethic had served me well over the years.
What are some of the challenges you have faced in the industry?
I have encountered numerous challenges in the industry but the main challenge for me personally is how to keep in business with the current influx of guitar teachers via the internet, DVD and social media. Another major challenge on a more personal note is how to get the most out of a students ability and talent without losing my personality and keeping the lessons fun. I have developed a rapport with all my students over the years by getting to know them personally. There are certain students I can be more critical of and drive them harder and certain students I have to handle with kid gloves because they are a bit more sensitive. I am proud to say that I have definitely gotten the most out of my students utilizing this approach. And that's the difference between having the internet teach you and having a live teacher; the interaction and the inspiration. It's like watching a video on YouTube to learn how to drive. You can do it but nothing is better than hands on with a teacher instructing you live.
What do you feel has contributed to your success? I believe that there are a few factors that have contributed to my success as a teacher. Firstly, I travel to the students and teach them in their own homes. It's a great selling point and you have no overhead to pay with renting a space or a store front; electricity, insurance etc. Also since I travel, I am willing to hustle more. If a student wants a lesson at 7:30am on a Sunday I can and will do it. If a student works nights and wants a lesson at 11pm, I can do that also. If you want to be successful at anything , especially a private music business, I feel that you must be willing go where the money is at any time, within reason of course. Secondly, I feel that my success also comes from my varied knowledge of different styles and sight reading and ear training abilities. I can work on a jazz tune with a student as well as a Metallica song with another student as well as a Beethoven Piano Sonata with another student.
How are you currently growing your business? I am currently growing my business by advertising through word of mouth in addition to handing out business cards to all my current students and their parents. Having something tangible like a business card makes it easier for a new student to contact you. I also write blogs for guitarworld.com. Although there is no pay involved, they let me advertise my teaching business as well as push an ebook I wrote for amazon.comcalled "The Complete Guitarists Handbook Volume One". I write about something I love to do and get free advertising as part of the deal.
What is some advice for other musicians and music teachers who want to start a teaching business? My advice for other musicians and music teachers who want to start their own business is to really get their musicianship together; sight reading, ear training etc. If you do , you will be able to expand your business by being able to teach numerous instruments, not just one. Also, as I said before be willing to hustle and go the extra mile for students as far as accommodating their schedule. If you don't, somebody will. Trust me on that.
You can read more about Richard at http://www.axgrinder.com/
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