I really thought it was going to be a little easier than this to find a piano teacher.

The links provided to teacher organizations in another thread were a great start. Until I started calling. The first teacher I spoke with described herself as "laid back." She doesn't do recitals unless the student really wants them. Lessons are done out of her home (half an hour away) and when I said I'd have 2 smaller children with me sometimes she said, "Oh. I'll have to find a place for the dogs then." She didn't recommed I take lessons, but just sit in on my 6 year old's lesson and see what I could pick up. My daughter is a beginning reader and the teacher wasn't crazy about that either. "It's too hard when they can't really read."

The next teacher I called had rock music playing loudly in the background. When I asked what style of music she teaches she said, "Whatever you want." She didn't inspire confidence.

I have high hopes for the last message. He works at the local university. Although his message machine (if it was actually his) was of children singing, so presumably he likes kids.

:D

That is awesome.

Keep looking. You might have to call 20 teachers before you find a good fit for your children. Best of luck to you!

You may have to say "excuse the call, wrong number" a few times!

I'm glad you are getting a picture before proceeding far - we give off these clues and have an image without knowing it - and some of the things we say and do, put our prospective students off.

You haven't found any "winners" or "keepers" yet, but there are many, many teaching piano who are not really teaching piano, make that, capable of teaching piano. It's your goal and satisfaction to find a good one.

I'm afraid the experienced, reputable, productive teachers are not being found as easily, especially when there are so many who are competing for the client base.

Let us know how your search is going, please.

You have given me a few laughs here, I'm sorry to say, but it's a pleasure to know that you are not 'biting'.

Be selective!

Good luck!

Betty

Its tough to pass judgement, based on a 3-minute phone call.

I think if it were me, I'd at least schedule an appointment to talk to them (unless, of course, they sound "really" horrible over the phone). Some piano teachers offer a free first lesson - sort of a get to know each other type deal. Even if not, it's well worth it to interview as many qualified teachers as possible before making your final decision. I interviewed five teachers before I found the right one. Keep at it.

When looking for a teacher I think its important to explain your situation as a parent or student. I think its important to ask a few questions that allow the teacher to think. Open ended questions where you can peer into the philosophy of what the teacher values and weather they match up with yours.

I think at first lighter questions such as:
Where is your studio located?
Do you prepare students for exams?
Do you organize recitals?

Then later ...
What do you think of the exam board system?
What musical genres and styles do you teach? And why?
What are the fundamental areas you perceive to me as most important in regard to piano learning?
(that one is really philosophical)
Do you follow a methodology or an approach to teaching? (Orff, Dalcroze, Suzuki, Kodaly, etc)

Then ... you can ask : How much do you charge?

Some of the best teachers (in my opinion) are the ones that really know how to answer those questions ... they also give their honest insights as to why they think this way and often refer to their own experience. Some teachers seem to be wishy washy to how they approach things. Its from these questions where you can often gain insights into a teachers opinions and values and later make a conclusion.

As a teacher, I love it when a parent Grills me with questions, then lets me know that she is interviewing 3 other teachers.

That way, if she chooses me, we have a good precedent.

Good post Rebekah

Thanks Pianoexcellence, because you enjoy answering it tells me you are one of the better teachers on the other side of the line

Its very easy to sort the good from the bad I find when asking such questions. Some teachers are lost, really really lost. They give blunt remarks and don't really know what exactly they are teaching ... "for other genres like jazz I just get students to follow a book" ... "I follow the exam board I think it is good because then students can get an award" ... "I like to teach according to what I see is important" ... (that one got me lost)

... There is the other side to it when you have these well thought questions. I also think a good teacher allows a student/parent to express themselves because it is a conversation ... not a dictation.

You should like a really good teacher pianoexcellence.

I wouldn't bother with those first 2 you mentioned, vk, simply because the impression they gave you was not along with what you're looking for. It's nothing against them or you, there's simply no reason to waste anyone's time. Keep looking and asking the questions to determine if the teacher is the right fit for you, and you'll find them.

Rebekah, thanks for the suggestions. I have already been asking variations on some of your questions. Not about exams though.

I spoke with another teacher last night. She doesn't take children under 8 and doesn't teach adults. Such narrow parameters. Sheesh!

Today I'm calling the university, again.

Or you could say she's "focused." In my earlier years of teaching, I didn't take children under 8 because I lacked experience, and I needed to gain it with 8 - 16 year olds. Now, I have no problem with talented younger students. But 5 is my lower limit. If she knows her limits, it may be a good thing!

Glad to be a help! Tell us how it goes!

This was something I always wanted to ask teachers:

"what do you feel you are creating? A musician, pianist, performer, listener? ..."

I've always been reluctant to really ask because it seems kinda interrogative. What does everyone think?

I think the first teacher sounds alright. She was probably telling you she'd need to find a place for the dogs as a joke. You shouldn't expect her to accomodate you and your two other children during a lesson. She probably didn't recommend you take lessons for good reason; mothers with three small children have no time! I taught one mother of three small children who could only practice a half hour every two weeks. She quit after a few months. Finally, it IS easier to teach a seven or eight year old than a six year old who can't really read. She probably just has a preference for slightly older beginners.

Plus, I wouldn't worry too much about recitals at this stage.

I'd probably ask a few more questions of her though.

Good Luck.