PPP099: How to know if your teacher is effective, and what to do it they're not.

02Jul 2018 by Shelly Davis

On this day: July 2, 1956 Elvis Presley records “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel”

Every piano teacher is as uniquely different as each child they teach. Teaching methods, learning styles, personalities and more all interact and impact the effectiveness of your piano teacher, your piano kid, and the lessons that they share.

Today, I want to talk about a few ways you can determine if your piano teacher is the most effective for your piano kid.

Listen to the full episode here

Goal Setting as a Tool for Gauging Effectiveness

Last week, we discussed “exit strategies“. Now that you’ve had a chance to think your exit strategy for piano lessons, what are some goals you have in mind for you child? What does effective mean to you? Are piano lessons recreational, social, or is it preparing them for a musical future? Determining your goals will help you find a teacher that will help you reach those goals.

When setting goals, use the S.M.A.R.T. method – Is your goal Specific? Is it Measurable? Attainable? Relevant? Timely?

Examples of some goals:

number of pieces learned each semester
getting to a certain point in a book
sight reading at a certain level
higher theory score or rating
reaching a certain level on ‘NoteRush’
any other combination of measurable goals!

Does your piano teacher support your goals? Do they have different goals in mind that don’t align with your motivation for piano lessons? Are the goals you have set for your student being reached? Measuring your goals can help you assess if your teacher is effectively teaching progress.

Recitals and Studio Performances as a Gauge for Effectiveness

I am not recommending that you compare your piano kid to other performers. That is unhealthy and unproductive. Every child is different! I am saying that you should observe your teachers recitals and performances as a way to gauge the effectiveness of the studio as a whole and how that aligns with your goals. Observe type of music being performed, the anxiety level of the students, how the teacher engages with their students, and whether or not the studio is showcasing the skills you want your piano kid to learn. If not, what are the steps you need to take to help make your piano lessons more successful.

You’re not making a determination of whether the teacher is “good or bad”, rather you’re determining if they are able to help your piano kid reach their musical goals.

Study Your Child to Gauge Effectiveness

One of the best ways to measure the effectiveness of your piano teacher is to study your piano kid!

What is their attitude toward piano lessons – not practice, lessons? Are they excited to see their teacher? Are they making excuses to avoid the lesson? Is their reaction based off their lack of practice and preparedness that week, or is it indicative of a personality clash?

How are they when they leave lessons? Do they feel successful, happy and enthusiastic or do they feel stressed, anxious, or upset over something that happened?

What to do about it...

If you notice something is off, or that your lessons are not as productive as you had hoped, first and foremost, you should communicate your concerns with your teacher. Communication is vital! Avoiding confrontation, and gossiping with other parents does not resolve the situation. Make sure that you and your piano teacher are on the same page. If you’re not, why not?

Secondly, carefully observe your child’s lessons. Make your presence known. Is your child and teacher interacting well? Is your child an active participant, or are they really making the teacher work throughout the lesson?

If you’ve communicated your concerns, and you’ve observed your lessons and have still determined, for better or worse, that the studio is not a good fit and you decide to leave, I recommend that you let your child see the end of the professional relationship. There’s no need for harsh words or hurt feelings, we simply learn from this experience and move forward. Let this be a positive lesson for your child, letting things just end.

Final Thoughts

Not every piano teacher is going to be a perfect fit for every student. Knowing how to tell when it’s time to switch teachers or stop lessons takes discernment. If you do need to leave your current studio, do it with grace – and use the opportunity to teach you child an important lesson!

My favorite form of advertising is word of mouth. If I hear about a book or movie or podcast from a friend, I am more likely to read it, watch it, or listen to it. If this episode has been helpful for you, would you consider sharing it with your friends? They trust you and value your opinion. Thank you.

Thanks to ChrisPkkk for this five star review, “As a parent I appreciate the advice from Shelly. I consider musical education a foundational part of every well-rounded education for a young adult.”

Shout out to Texas Music Teachers Association for their excellent convention enjoyed by teachers, parents, and students this last weekend. It is a highlight of my teaching year to see my students perform in the massive ensemble concerts, digital keyboard orchestra, All-Star Festival, and serving as convention pages. I even got my picture made with the Piano Maestro Mascot!