Tag Archives: first lesson

Forum Q&A | When to Say “No” to a Potential Student

By joy (admin) | Published: 14 July 2011

For our previous Forum Q&A, I asked about the legal side of being a business – becoming a Sole Proprietorship or an LLC, dealing with taxes, etc.  My previous private teaching has mostly been as an employee of the university’s Community Music School.  I find all the legal stuff for getting set up on your [...]

Posted in improving as a teacher, studio business | Also tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Rethinking The Student’s First Lesson

By joy (admin) | Published: 21 April 2011

Okay, so I’ve been thinking about this topic for a few weeks now, and today I’m spilling all!   Sorry about the length. =) Don’t Make My Mistake! When I first began teaching, I created a mental list of all the things I felt were essential for a new student should know.  I thought very [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, improving as a teacher, motivation, musings, private lessons, settings:, studio business | Also tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Teaching With the Student’s Goals in Mind

By joy (admin) | Published: 28 January 2011

This week I gave a few first lessons to some new students.  One of the things I always ask during the first lesson/interview is: What are some of your goals in taking piano lessons? Here are some examples of answers I’ve received from students: I want to be able to play classical pieces that everyone [...]

Posted in improving as a teacher, motivation | Also tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Building Your Studio: Offer Free Trial Lesson, and Have References Ready!

By joy (admin) | Published: 7 May 2010

A few months ago, I received a call from a parent who was looking for lessons for her two daughters.  She was a little reluctant to commit to lessons because of a past experience with another teacher: the teacher was an excellent performer, but unfortunately not as great of a teacher.  I chatted with her [...]

Posted in improving as a teacher, settings:, studio business | Also tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just Added: Navigating at the Keyboard Worksheet

By joy (admin) | Published: 22 April 2010

A new free worksheet has just been added to the Printables page: Navigating at the Keyboard. This worksheet is for young beginners who have only just recently been exposed to piano.  This worksheet is designed to help them become familiar with the layout of the keyboard so that they can locate and identify the keys [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, by student's level, music theory, printables, worksheets | Also tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

3 Printables for Interviewing New Students

By joy (admin) | Published: 5 July 2009

Just added: THREE new printables on the Printables > Other Resources page: Beginner Student Interview Form Transfer Student Interview Form Student Information Form These resources are useful for conducting student interviews at the first lesson with a new or transfer student.  The interview forms help evaluate the student’s musical aptitude and background, to help the teacher determine [...]

Posted in advanced level, beginners / elementary Level, by student's level, intermediate level, lesson plans, printables, settings: | Also tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments
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