When searching for music lessons, many begin with phrases like “piano lessons near me” or “music lessons in Nashville.” However, the closest or cheapest option isn’t always the best. Quality piano education offers cognitive and social benefits, enhancing skills like spatial-temporal reasoning, verbal memory, and language development, while also fostering discipline and a deeper appreciation for music.
To help you make the best choice, I’ve outlined the different types of music teachers and what to consider when selecting one for your child.
Types of Music Teachers and Organizations:
Professional Musicians as Teachers: These musicians may have successful performance careers but some of them might lack formal teaching training. While they bring valuable real-world experience, if teaching is a side job, their methods may lack structure, potentially limiting a student’s development and leading to incorrect techniques that can take months to correct. It’s important to research their teaching methods and proficiency.
Private Music Schools: These schools offer a range of instruments and services, providing diverse musical experiences. However, some organizations hire budget-friendly teachers without extensive vetting, leading to frequent turnover that can disrupt a student’s continuity. This high turnover is often why many private music schools don’t list their teachers on their websites, making it difficult for parents to assess the instructors’ qualifications. Parents should focus on finding an instructor within the school who offers long-term guidance, rather than relying solely on the school’s reputation. Many parents have shared that they experienced rigid teaching methods as children, leading them to stop music lessons. These same concerns can arise when schools prioritize profit over the quality of education.
Traditional Private Music Teachers: These experienced teachers often focus on valuable old-school, emphasizing technique, theory, and discipline. While this structured approach is effective for students pursuing serious performance careers, it may feel restrictive for others, especially in today’s generation. Not every student thrives under strict discipline; some require more engaging, modern techniques that foster enjoyment and creativity. Balancing traditional methods with these modern approaches can keep students motivated. Parents often recall their own experiences with rigid teaching during their childhood, which sometimes led to a loss of interest in music very early. It’s crucial to find a teacher who understands when to apply discipline and when to adapt to the student’s needs to help them engage with curiosity.
Progressive or Modern Music Teachers: These educators nowadays use personalized, innovative approaches and research-based technology, blending cutting-edge techniques with solid classical training. This method engages self-motivated students interested in contemporary music and nurtures a lifelong love of music. Modern teachers are ideal for young musicians in the digital age, offering a balanced and enduring education.
With over 30 years of teaching experience, I’ve always advocated for methods tested by academic research. I apply these approaches in my private practice, even in higher education. I instill the same techniques in my team of degree-holding colleagues at Dr.Tem Music & Arts Academy.
Conclusion:
The right teacher can profoundly impact a student’s musical journey. Selecting a teacher who aligns either with your child’s or your unique needs, goals, and learning style as an adult student is essential. A qualified, experienced, patient, and engaging teacher can ignite your child’s passion for music and set them on a path to lasting success.
As Sir Ken Robinson, a visionary leader in modern teaching, once said, “Curiosity is the engine of achievement!” Parents and teachers must work together to awaken this curiosity in our children. I’ve seen so many university freshmen lose interest in learning from middle school onward due to outdated methods. We need forward-thinking teachers to help our children learn in ways they enjoy most.
Dr. Tolga Tem
Dr. Tem Music & Art Academy