Being a piano teacher myself, you can imagine my expectations when it came to finding the right piano teacher for my children. What? Why don’t I teach them myself? If you have tried to teach your child ANYTHING, you know exactly why I am looking! So what should a parent look for when finding a music instructor? Here are some guidelines:

Choose a teacher that focuses on the instrument you wish to learn.
Yes, that’s right, I am saying that a piano teacher who really has a career as a drummer may not be the best teacher for your child if he wishes to play the piano. Just because you can “play” the instrument should not necessarily qualify you as the instructor. Each instrumentalist usually focuses on one instrument. She may be proficient in many instruments, but her knowledge is on her main instrument. The vast knowledge in that one specific instrument will affect her way of teaching the instrument to your child.

Educational background is not everything.
Sure, an instrumentalist from one of the top music conservatories seems more ideal as a teacher. However, chemistry and personality is extremely important too. If your child is extremely shy, an equally shy teacher may not bring him out of his shell. You know your child the best, so a matching personality is also key to your child’s playing success.

Ask the right questions.
An experienced instructor should be well prepared with different teaching scenarios. Throw some of those teaching scenarios at the teacher, and see how he or she responds. If someone is indecisive, or sometimes even seems overly confident, that may be a sign of a teacher that is inexperienced.

What is your goal for having your child take the music lessons?
It is important that you know why you are having your child take music lessons. This will help you find a teacher who shares the same values, or teaching philosophy. If having structure and encouraging self-discipline are reasons you want your child to take music lessons, then a teacher who is frequently absent from lessons may not teach your child that.

Go the distance and value the instructor’s time.
Being a parent means constant juggling and trying not to stretch yourself thin. So of course teacher A who is in your neighborhood is more attractive than, say, teacher B whom you had to spend at least twenty minutes to get to. However, from the initial contact to the trial lesson, teacher B is obviously a better fit. Please go the distance and choose teacher B if you want your child to enjoy his lessons. As it turns out, teacher B also charges a higher fee. You should ask questions if a teacher is not charging the going rate in your neighborhood. It may indicate a lack of qualifications or perhaps, inexperience. In either case, please do not choose your child’s teacher based on convenience!

Do your research and ask around for referrals. Ask for trial lessons (and be prepared to pay for the trial lessons because the good teachers value their time) whenever possible. When you find the right match for your child, the payoff is rewarding for years to come!