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Gary-- This emoticon is better. I like it!!! I see what you're saying, but it wouldn't be just to find the teacher you want - you'd also be getting the actual lessons. I charge for trial lessons. Most of my new students don't request them, but some do. The amusing thing is that while they think they are "auditioning me", I'm making up my mind about whether or not *I* want to continue. I'm auditioning the student.
Last edited by Gary D.; 09/01/09 07:09 PM.
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I see what you're saying, but it wouldn't be just to find the teacher you want - you'd also be getting the actual lessons. I charge for trial lessons. Most of my new students don't request them, but some do. The amusing thing is that while they think they are "auditioning me", I'm making up my mind about whether or not *I* want to continue. I'm auditioning the student. [/quote] Gary, how do you gracefully get out of taking on a student with whom you do not want to teach?
Blues and Boogie-Woogie piano teacher.
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"Gary, how do you gracefully get out of taking on a student with whom you do not want to teach?"
Yeah I'd like to know that too!! I'd like to do that, if I can figure out an inoffensive way to do it.
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Hey teachers, I found a teacher who's charging $20 for half an hour and $25 for 45 minutes. Well, she is new to my area so surprise, surprise, later on she tells me that she only has a digital piano at home, Yamaha Clavinova. I go to her house and the keys are so damn hard to hit, the action seems to be much heavier. She tells me she feels bad all the time because she only has a digital piano and right now can't afford an acoustic. She seems to be a depressed, jaded soul who's been through much hardship and I want to at least take a few lessons to see how it pans out, if not to help her out a little. I've played on an acoustic all my life and now I appreciate it because I always thought I was missing out by not having a digital piano. My question is, "Can digital pianos actually deteriorate the technique of someone who's been play since they were 6? if I take lessons from her, will I be able to adjust to this super heavy action? Or should I stop being a cheapo and find a teacher who teaches on a grand? Btw, she does have a masters degree in piano performance and studied under the tutelage of some famous concert pianists. She does know her stuff. Oh yeah, the standard rate in Honolulu for most lessons are around $60 an hour or $30 for 1/2 hour. I'm a little surprised that you find it particularly heavy. I have a CLP370 and would prefer considerably more weight to the action. It barely feels like I'm moving anything, when I play loud.
Last edited by Nyiregyhazi; 09/01/09 08:17 PM.
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Gary, how do you gracefully get out of taking on a student with whom you do not want to teach?
The talk was about trial lessons. If someone comes in, thinking they are going to "try me out", I don't see any problem saying, "I don't think we are a good fit." But I'm not unpleasant about it. Now, people I've agree to teach and have taught for awhile, who turn out to be totally irritating, present a very different problem. To be honest, unless I get very angry, I'm probably too patient and too forgiving.
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The talk was about trial lessons. If someone comes in, thinking they are going to "try me out", I don't see any problem saying, "I don't think we are a good fit." But I'm not unpleasant about it. Now, people I've agree to teach and have taught for awhile, who turn out to be totally irritating, present a very different problem. To be honest, unless I get very angry, I'm probably too patient and too forgiving. I think it's a bit harsh to show a prospective student the door on the first lesson because you never know the type of student you are getting. He/she could be really nice and polite, but turn out to be irritable and hard to teach later on with some emotional issues which reflect in their piano playing. On the other hand you could also have a seemingly "bad fit," but later on that student might blossom to be one of your most promising students in which your achievements are inextricably linked to. And there is everybody in between as well so... assuming your trial lesson isn't free you'd still be making money so it'd be win/win for both parties.
"...music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." -Ludwig van Beethoven
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[
However, I did learn a lot from her on the first day, but she just has this eternal jaded sadness when I look into her eyes that I can't shake. She sounds interesting, sounds like an artist, she might be a great teacher.
I left the lesson feeling, "how sad... I feel like helping her out."
Be careful, friend, if you look down at her you may discover that behind her sadness the fire of life is still a-burning.
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The talk was about trial lessons. If someone comes in, thinking they are going to "try me out", I don't see any problem saying, "I don't think we are a good fit." But I'm not unpleasant about it. Now, people I've agree to teach and have taught for awhile, who turn out to be totally irritating, present a very different problem. To be honest, unless I get very angry, I'm probably too patient and too forgiving. I think it's a bit harsh to show a prospective student the door on the first lesson because you never know the type of student you are getting. He/she could be really nice and polite, but turn out to be irritable and hard to teach later on with some emotional issues which reflect in their piano playing. On the other hand you could also have a seemingly "bad fit," but later on that student might blossom to be one of your most promising students in which your achievements are inextricably linked to. And there is everybody in between as well so... assuming your trial lesson isn't free you'd still be making money so it'd be win/win for both parties. I understand what you are saying. After reading many of Gary’s posts I sure he is a very qualified and intuitive teacher. When you have been teaching long, you quickly recognize red flags. I hope for the best with a new student, however I find my first impression of a student is usually correct. I can tell in the trial period how a student learns, how easily they are going to understand piano, how organized htey are and what their strengths will be. I also get a clear idea of who will consistently have poor practice habits, missed lessons, lost books and so on. Those patterns manifest early and don’t change.
Piano Teacher. Church Music Director. Kindermusik Instructor. Mom to four boys.
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