TubeNet

I thought it might be a good idea to have a section on the site for people offering/seeking lessons.

Teachers could post their rates, experience, and contact information.

Yes? No? Horrid idea?

In my experience both in my own local community and on TubeNet, I have not seen firsthand nor heard of any professional player who was explicitly not interested in teaching private lessons. I'm sure there are some out there, but I believe that this is not the majority. If someone is interested in lessons, I agree with BierGeek in contacting a local pro(s). If lessons can't be taken with them for whatever reason, they can probably direct you to someone else.

For researching purposes, there was megathread in the TubeNet section not a while back about teaching private lessons. It had some very nice discussion in there.

The Jackson wrote:I have not seen firsthand nor heard of any professional player who was explicitly not interested in teaching private lessons. I'm sure there are some out there, but I believe that this is not the majority.

Oh, they are out there.

adam0408 wrote:I thought it might be a good idea to have a section on the site for people offering/seeking lessons.

Teachers could post their rates, experience, and contact information.

Yes? No? Horrid idea?

This is probably best done locally, as most students and teachers will not drive far to teach/study. There is an exception, and that is with the most notable teachers, and they have no problem keeping all the students they care to keep, I am sure.

Contact your local schools and music stores. Some areas even have a teacher/student finding "service," though they will take a cut of your fee (so will music stores). Visit some local schools and give a free masterclass. Show off a bit, and the students will think "Wow, I can play like THAT if I study with him/her." Then you get them hooked into lessons. Then they will wonder why they aren't becoming amazing even after 4 weeks of lessons with you and probably quit, totally oblivious to the suggestion that it takes time and WORK to get good at ANYTHING....

I haven't had a good student since I left Texas in 2001. NOT ONE. I let them all fade away and quit, as many do as they approach high school, and I have no desire to start again. I won't say that I am "explicitly not interested in teaching," but I am pretty darn close. I certainly don't miss it, especially the students I get around here...

bloke wrote:I don't appreciate ... (in particular) no-practice.

You hit the nail on the head. I don't deal well with laziness.

Even someone as low-ranking as I was on the totem pole of playing ability grew tired of giving lessons. My story parallels Dean's with the exception that when I moved from Florida, the kids just didn't try. I had a few students up here who basically didn't understand what practicing was. On the flip side, they really didn't have as many local playing "goals" in terms of regional bands and competitions.

To the OP:

Just put out a general posting if you are looking for a teacher. You will get plenty of references. If you are looking to give lessons, I think the "old" approach works best:

-Get a listing of all middle and high schools in the area. Do not overlook private/charter/religious schools. Put together a comprehensive list that includes these schools and the name of the band director. If you cannot find his/her name on the intarwebz, use a telephone and ask, and get the proper spelling. If there is no band/music person, get the name of the principal.

-Once you have this list, put together a well worded and brief summary of your skills and background. This needs to be succinct. Google "executive summary" for examples. The term for this is a "cover letter" but many examples on the web are less than eloquent. You should also include rates here. I would suggest 30/60 minute lessons. 45 minute lessons seem to be a little too complex to schedule if you are going back-to-back.

-Put together a resume. List only relevant skills. This needs to be one page. Not two. Definitely not three. One page. Do not list fast food restaurant experience. Contrary to some folks, I would also recommend to skip the objective. The cover letter overrides this.

-Send these out at appropriate times. Before the academic year, before holiday vacation/beginning of calender year are fairly decent times. I would avoid "contest" seasons whether it be marching or concert band.

-Use a phone number with a good recording service (electronic voice mail/no tape machines). I would avoid a cell phone number, but if needed use that. Make sure your outgoing message includes your name and number (Hi you've reached ____ @ ###, please leave a message). No goofy messages, nothing cryptic.

-Return all calls about lessons within 24 hours. Simple enough concept.

-Find a good place to teach lessons. If you're in college, don't use your dorm room. Try to go to students houses if you are in college. Parents aren't too fond about bringing their kids over to a college apartment for lessons. Check with your music department, they might have no problems letting you use practice space if enough is available.

If you can do the above, you should be able to build a decent studio if you are diligent and are good at articulating pedagogy. I was getting an extra $5K per year in 1999 while teaching for a few hours on Saturday mornings.

Sorry if the unsolicited advice is redundant.

Matthew Gilchrest wrote:Even someone as low-ranking as I was on the totem pole of playing ability grew tired of giving lessons. My story parallels Dean's with the exception that when I moved from Florida, the kids just didn't try. I had a few students up here who basically didn't understand what practicing was. On the flip side, they really didn't have as many local playing "goals" in terms of regional bands and competitions.

To the OP:

Just put out a general posting if you are looking for a teacher. You will get plenty of references. If you are looking to give lessons, I think the "old" approach works best:

-Get a listing of all middle and high schools in the area. Do not overlook private/charter/religious schools. Put together a comprehensive list that includes these schools and the name of the band director. If you cannot find his/her name on the intarwebz, use a telephone and ask, and get the proper spelling. If there is no band/music person, get the name of the principal.

-Once you have this list, put together a well worded and brief summary of your skills and background. This needs to be succinct. Google "executive summary" for examples. The term for this is a "cover letter" but many examples on the web are less than eloquent. You should also include rates here. I would suggest 30/60 minute lessons. 45 minute lessons seem to be a little too complex to schedule if you are going back-to-back.

-Put together a resume. List only relevant skills. This needs to be one page. Not two. Definitely not three. One page. Do not list fast food restaurant experience. Contrary to some folks, I would also recommend to skip the objective. The cover letter overrides this.

-Send these out at appropriate times. Before the academic year, before holiday vacation/beginning of calender year are fairly decent times. I would avoid "contest" seasons whether it be marching or concert band.

-Use a phone number with a good recording service (electronic voice mail/no tape machines). I would avoid a cell phone number, but if needed use that. Make sure your outgoing message includes your name and number (Hi you've reached ____ @ ###, please leave a message). No goofy messages, nothing cryptic.

-Return all calls about lessons within 24 hours. Simple enough concept.

-Find a good place to teach lessons. If you're in college, don't use your dorm room. Try to go to students houses if you are in college. Parents aren't too fond about bringing their kids over to a college apartment for lessons. Check with your music department, they might have no problems letting you use practice space if enough is available.

If you can do the above, you should be able to build a decent studio if you are diligent and are good at articulating pedagogy. I was getting an extra $5K per year in 1999 while teaching for a few hours on Saturday mornings.

Sorry if the unsolicited advice is redundant.

Fantastic advice, even if it was unsolicited.

You gave me some ideas that I hadn't thought of before. Any ideas of how to drum up business? Band directors don't like to return my calls.

Also, as nice as it is to have motivated, practicing students, I must say I don't care all that much as long as they fork over the cash.

The whole point of this exercise is to:

*Gain teaching experience
*Be involved in the community
*Supplement my income

BierGeek wrote:When I wanted lessons, I would look for the local pro or someone who I knew could show me something. I don't see how having that kind of information for the entire public to see would be any good. Someone wanting/wanting to give lessons should do the time-honored tradition of researching and asking around on their own.

A large majority of small communities and locales in more rural areas don't have a "local pro" and a lot of kids don't really know where to look or ask for lessons.

I couldn't help but notice, "adam0408," that you give your location as "in the back row, playing wrong notes." Why would anyone want to take lessons from you? They can probably do the same with absolutely no help from you.

adam0408 wrote:You gave me some ideas that I hadn't thought of before. Any ideas of how to drum up business? Band directors don't like to return my calls.

Show up to a concert, compliment his/her band, hand them a business card with your name and phone number on the front, and rates on the back. This doesn't guarantee anything, but someone who does this will at least earn some "top of mind" the next time the band director or on of their students is looking for a tuba instructor.