5 Ways to Maximize your Child's Private Lesson Experience

5 Ways to Maximize your Child's Private Lesson Experience

1. Be present 5-10 minutes before the lesson starts. If the instructor comes to you, then the student already should have been warming up or at least have their instrument out when the instructor arrives. If you go to the instructor, then arrive to their studio with enough time so that the student can walk into the lesson relaxed and not rushed.

2. Make sure that your student is prepared. The student should always arrive with a sharpened pencil with a clean eraser, their music neatly organized in a book/folder, and all of the parts to their instrument. You would be surprised how many students may forget to bring a reed, mouthpiece, cleaning cloth, etc.

You wouldn’t let your child arrive to school without a writing utensil or their books so maintain the same standard for lessons.

3. Make sure your child practices daily. Nothing drives an instructor more insane than a student who hasn’t looked at the music since their last lesson. If you expect your child to complete their homework assignments for school or workout daily for a sport the same rule MUST apply to music lessons.

4.  Encourage your child to write down any challenges or questions they may have had while practicing at home so they can ask their instructor during lessons.

5. Pay the instructor on time. Most instructors will cancel a lesson if you missed a payment. This only hurts your child. Inconsistency is the enemy of proficiency.

Follow these practical tips and you will a see a return in the investment of your child’s music education.
Author: Alissa Gittens is a musician services consultant and private flute instructor. Like “the Urban Flautista” on Facebook and email info@theurbanflautista.com