When a parent contacts me to get more information about starting piano lessons for their child or teenager, I always emphasize the free initial consultation available to them before deciding to move forward. I do this for three reasons.
Peace of Mind for Mom/Dad
I try to put myself in your shoes. As a parent, I know the importance of meeting any stranger who claims to be an expert at anything; but I am especially interested in a face-to-face introduction when the situation involves my children. I know that setting up that meeting will give you the chance to see if you feel comfortable with me working with your child.
When meeting with a teacher for the first time, the parent should feel that their questions are welcomed and that their involvement is encouraged in the process of helping their child on the journey of music education.
Comfort Level For Your Child/Teen
While it is most important for the parent to feel comfortable with the piano teacher working with their child, the next issue to be addressed is the comfort level of your child.
- Does your child seem to feel at ease talking with me?
- Is your child able to express what he/she would like to learn without feeling afraid of speaking their mind?
- Does he/she seem to feel comfortable in the environment?
- Is the teacher able to provide the kind of instruction that works best with your child's learning ability?
While the parent may be thrilled about a particular teacher, it is essential for the child to feel the same level of comfort (if not more) since he or she will be spending the most time with that teacher. You want to maximize their desire to pursue music - connection with the teacher is of utmost importance.
Is It A Good Fit All Around?
This free initial consultation gives me, as the potential teacher, time to assess whether your child is ready for piano lessons, whether he or she is able to comprehend and move forward at a pace that will help them experience success.
What I'm looking for is a child who is ready and motivated to learn - but motivation comes in different forms. Some children are motivated by being able to choose a favorite song to learn, while others are motivated by learning how to do ear training rather than sight reading right off the bat. There may even be a child whose motivation needs to be discovered by both parent and teacher.
What you are also looking for is whether I'm the best teacher for your child's learning style. The worst thing any one can possibly do is to a child's musical journey is to kill the desire to learn it at all. This is why setting up an initial consultation is so critical in assessing these areas - ultimately for the benefit and success for your child's musical experience!
