I know a fellow teacher who does not answer the “rates question” - even when specially asked about it - until the end of the phone call, after she has told them about everything her studio offers.  She chooses to emphasize the quality of the music education she offers in her studio before informing the parent of the rates.   Not a bad idea!

Other teachers are very upfront and prefer to tell parents their rates first thing.  There is no harm in either method.  Personally, I am somewhere in the middle.  Unless specifically asked, I save the rates information until the end.  Regardless of where you stand, it’s a good idea to plan in advance how you are going to deal with the “rates question” when the potential student calls.

How do you like to handle the “rates question”?

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/publicdomainphotos/ / CC BY 2.0

Related Posts:

• 3 Printables for Interviewing New Students
• Building Your Studio: Offer Free Trial Lesson, and Have References Ready!
• Conducting Student Interviews
• Dealing with Performance Anxiety
• Music-Related Pet Names

[Visit Building Your Studio: How to Inform Parents About Your Tuition Rates to view the original blog post at Color In My Piano.]

At her daughter’s lesson this week, the same parent kindly offered (with no request on my part) to be a reference or write a letter of recommendation should I ever need one.  When she said this, I realized that having a reference or two (from other happy parents) ready to give her would have been a another great way for her to learn about my teaching style and personality — and it would have been much more convincing than hearing it from me!

Lessons learned: DO offer a free interview/first lesson, and DO have references ready to give out!  =)

Click here to read ideas for activities to do with the student at the first free trial lesson and click here for some free printables for use during the first trial lesson.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenliveshere/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Related Posts:

• 3 Printables for Interviewing New Students
• Conducting Student Interviews
• Building Your Studio: How to Inform Parents About Your Tuition Rates
• Rethinking The Student’s First Lesson
• Building Your Studio: What to Say on the Phone

[Visit Building Your Studio: Offer Free Trial Lesson, and Have References Ready! to view the original blog post at Color In My Piano.]

Just added: THREE new printables on the Printables > Other Resources page:

1. Beginner Student Interview Form
2. Transfer Student Interview Form
3. 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 what level repertoire the student should be playing, as well as what technique exercises should be assigned.  The student information form is designed to gather basic contact information from the student — as well as some information from the parent regarding the child’s personality/learning style and musical background. Read on….

Read more about these forms below…

1. Beginner Student Interview Form:

This form is designed for use during the interview or first lesson with a new beginner student who the teacher is planning to accept into their studio.

The first part of the form asks for basic information, which the student should be able to provide.  The second part of the form gives a number of activities that the teacher can conduct with the student, in order to evaluate the student’s musical aptitude and background.

Click the preview image to view it large.

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2. Transfer Student Interview Form:

This form is designed for use during the interview or first lesson with a new transfer (i.e., non-beginner) student who the teacher is planning to accept into their studio.

The first part of the form asks for basic information, which the student should be able to provide.  The second part of the form lists a number of activities that the teacher can conduct with the student, in order to evaluate the student’s previous training and musical ability.

Click the preview image to view it large.

* * *

3.  Student Information Form:

This form is designed to be used during a student’s first lesson with the teacher, to be filled out by the parent while the teacher is working with the student.

The form collects contact information as well as other valuable information, including questions about the child’s personality and musical background.  This form may then be returned to the teacher when completed, and filed for later reference.

Click the preview image to view it large.

The ideas for these forms came largely from reading How to Teach Piano Successfully by James Bastien (which is a wonderful book that I highly recommend), and from my piano pedagogy class during undergrad.

• coming soon! a sample Studio Policies handout

Related Posts:

• Building Your Studio: Offer Free Trial Lesson, and Have References Ready!
• Building Your Studio: How to Inform Parents About Your Tuition Rates
• Conducting Student Interviews
• Just Added: Navigating at the Keyboard Worksheet
• Just Added: Musical Leaves Matchup game

[Visit 3 Printables for Interviewing New Students to view the original blog post at Color In My Piano.]

It’s difficult to know how to spend the first lesson: should you buy a book in advance for the student, and jump right in?  Should you hold off on the music books, and first teach them the musical alphabet, some simple tunes, and maybe some five-finger patterns?  Maybe.  

But what if you spent the first lesson (whether it’s a beginner or transfer student) getting to know the student?  It might sound like a waste of time, but, as you know:

You have to take time to save time.  

If you could gain a better sense of the students’ musical level, wouldn’t it be so much easier to plan the student’s repertoire?  (Why didn’t I think of this sooner??)

James Bastien’s book contains some great suggestions for how to conduct student interviews.  Here’s my summary:

Purpose of the Interview

• To inform the parent(s) and student of the studio’s objectives and policies.  
  • This may include information concerning: length of lessons, tuition costs, cost of books/materials, accepted payment method, recitals and other performances, participation, etc.
  • It is advisable to type up Studio Policies handout for the parent/student to refer to as needed.
• To allow the teacher to gain information from both the parent and student, so as to better teach the student.  
  • It is advisable to type up a Student Information Form for the parent to fill out.  (to be blogged about soon!)
  • It may also be helpful to create a form for yourself to fill in as you interview the student.

Questions to Ask the Student

The first part of the interview should be completed without the parents’ presence in the room.  Politely ask the parent to fill out the Student Information Form in another room (dining room table or living room couch is fine).  You may also give them the Studio Policies at this time, so they can start reading it through if they have time left over while waiting.  It is likely that the student will relax more without the parents’ presence.  Besides, it is important to see whether the student is able to answer the questions without the parents’ help.  

1. name?  can you spell your last name for me please?
2. address?
3. telephone?
4. email?
5. parents’ names?
6. grade?
7. can you read?  do you enjoy reading?
8. what school do you attend?
9. do you like school?  what subjects?
10. do you want to take piano lessons?

Activities to Conduct with the Student (Beginners Only)

Before asking the parent to return to the room, you may wish to ask the student to perform a few simple musical activities, so you  can better assess the student’s level.  

1. Sing a simple melody with them.  Drop out and let them finish on their own.  
2. Ask the student to match a few pitches within their singing range.
3. Show him/her the black key 2′s and 3′s.  Ask them to cover the 3 group (fingers 1, 2, and 3 are fine; or 2, 3, and 4) and to copy simple patterns that you play.  
4. Ask the student to clap back some short rhythms.  Or, ask him/her to clap the rhythms to familiar tunes, like Row, Row, Row Your Boat.  
5. Tell the student that the Musical Alphabet contains only the letters A through G.  Ask the student to try reciting it backwards.  

Assessing Transfer Students (Intermediate or Advanced)

For older students, here are some more suitable questions to ask:

1. What music have you been studying with your previous teacher?
2. How long do you practice each day?  Do you like to practice?
3. What recitals, auditions, or contests have you participated in?  
4. Were you taught theory?
5. What did your teacher assign you for technique?  (ask student to play some scales, chords, and arpeggios.)
6. What were some of your memorized pieces?
7. Ask the student to play a piece for you.  Listen for the student’s rhythm, fingering, and dynamics.
8. Ask the student to sight-read for you.  Ask the student what key the selection is in.  
9. Test the students ear.  Ask them to identify whether a chord is major or minor.  Ask them to identify some intervals.  

Discussing Studio Policies

After assessing the student’s musical level, you may ask the parent back into the room.  Now is the time to discuss the Studio Policies and to address any questions or concerns the parent/student might have.  The major points to hit:

1. Scheduling.  If you have not already set a regular weekly time for the student’s lesson, you may do so now.  
2. Payment.  Inform the parent of the tuition rate, and tell them the proper payment method (by the month, by the semester, etc.).   Inform them of the late fee policy (if you have one).  Make sure they know about how much to expect to spend on books/materials, or whether that is an expense that you cover.  
3. Attendance.  Inform them of your policy regarding excused and unexcused absences.  
4. Practicing.  Make sure both the parent and the student understand how much time they need to devote to practicing.  Make sure they understand that lessons will be much more progressive and enjoyable if they practice regularly!  
5. Contact Info.  Let them know how they can reach you and when is the best time to call. 
6. Questions/Concerns.  Ask the parent and student if they have any questions or concerns.  Encourage them to read the rest of your Studio Policies on their own.   Bastien recommends this book to parents: A Parent’s Guide to Music Lessons, by Vera G. Wills and Ande Manners (Harper & Row, 1967).  (I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but I thought I’d pass along the information!)

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So there’s some ideas to get you started with conducting your own student interviews!  I’ve typed up some forms for myself to use in my own studio, and plan to blog them soon.  Check back soon and have a peek.  :]   

• coming soon: example New Student Interview form
• coming soon: example Transfer Student Interview form
• coming soon: example Student Information form
• coming soon: example Studio Policies handout

Related Posts:

• Building Your Studio: Offer Free Trial Lesson, and Have References Ready!
• 3 Printables for Interviewing New Students
• Building Your Studio: How to Inform Parents About Your Tuition Rates
• Example Studio Policies handout
• How to Give the First Music Lesson: Interviewing the Student

[Visit Conducting Student Interviews to view the original blog post at Color In My Piano.]