Contents
Introduction
When you make the decision to get music lessons, you will need to choose an online music teacher. This requires preparation and you’d better get ready to do some homework, and that’s before the first lesson even starts!
This article is focused on the questions you need to ask yourself and the teacher, to ensure that you choose the best possible online music teacher for your music lessons.
Ask: How much experience in music does your teacher have?
Finding an online music teacher with the right level of experience is important. You certainly do not want to learn from someone who is still learning at the same level as or lower than you themselves. A good five years playing music is a minimum for a serious teacher. If they have less than these, you should be a bit wary and really ask some hard questions.
Ask: How much teaching experience does your teacher have?
This question might seem obvious. However, it is essential to not overlook the specifics of their teaching history besides how long they have been teaching. You won’t want to look at just how long they have been teaching, but also at the age group and the skill level to which they have been providing lessons.
A teacher who has done nothing but teach absolute beginners may not be as good with someone who is a bit more advanced. If your teacher has spent the last 5 years teaching teenagers, and you’re in your adult years, you may want to explore your options a bit more and find someone familiar with adult learners.
Ask for certificates
This is important as it solidifies your teacher as a professional. Nearly anyone can give guitar lessons out of the back of their car, but a real teacher will be certified. Do not be afraid to ask to actually see the certificate and then take the time to research the institution that issued it.
Ask: What teaching style works for you and what method does the teacher use?
Your teacher should know what their teaching method is called and be able to relate it to you in the following key areas of learning:
- How the teacher evaluates students
- What materials the teacher uses to help instruct students
- The specific types of music and music theory the teacher uses to impart knowledge
- The lesson plans that the teacher has prepared for various levels
If you teacher plans to just wing it, you should plan to find another teacher!
Get an idea of what your teacher expects
Your teacher might be a hard charger who demands 20 hours of practice a week, while you only have time for 10. This is why it is important to get expectations worked out and managed between the two as you will likely have different ones. You will also want to know how long the lessons will be, how frequent they will be and if the teacher will expect you to attend recitals or performances.
Ask for references
All of the above-mentioned questions are important. However, asking for references may be the most essential requirement from you to the teacher. References give you an opportunity to find out what your teacher is really like and see first hand what you can learn. If their referral can’t play a song…you know it’s time to move on!
This is what we did to get our teacher at Musika!