Re: Building up a teaching business

I've NEVER played a live piano gig, yet I've taught hundreds of piano
students. However, can read "Three Blind Mice" and everything up to about
an advanced student level; I know a lot about phrasing and dynamics that
tightass classical types don't know, and I can play easy rock stuff like
"Home Sweet Home" or a blues to impress the kiddies.

I've also taught beginner guitar at various points too.

The kind of students you get for these lessons will be kids and rank
beginners. I'd be very honest with any advanced players that they should
look elsewhere. If you are honest with YOURSELF about your abilities, you
will attract the people suited to your level.

However, there are ONLY two things most students need to know about you: 1)
Is he a cool guy? 2) Does he like the same music I like?

If you have good student retnetion and positive feedback on the bass front,
#1 is covered.

For #2, you just need to be interested in what THEY are interested in. You
don't have to like it. I used to retch when people would bring in "Phantom
of the Opera" books for piano, but I was very enthusiatic because learning
"Music of the Night" made THEM play better than if they palyed "The Old
Grey Mare" out of the book.

Hate to sound like a lazy ass, but teaching piano and even guitar is too
much like a job. There are too many young kids for my liking, and it's too
structured around the parents need for graded books and achievement. At my
store, I see all the instructors kissing parental butt, with stickers and
practice scedules and whatnot, while my guys drift in and out with nary a
word. And that's the way I like it.



--
Lessons, music and more at www.jmsjazz.com

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid,
but most stupid people are conservatives."
- John Stuart Mill








"Jonathan" <jonathan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ebat6r0206@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Brian Running" <brunning@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:bz5Cg.3267$1f6.1024@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I think I'm done with this topic.

Okey dokey. Then, I'll start. I know you've all been waiting
breathlessly for my opinion.


Thanks for all the advice everyone! It's very helpful to hear
different
approaches and experiences, this is one weird business we're all in.
I do have one other question. Bass is my main instrument and all my
gigs are as a bassist, but I have also played the guitar for almost as
long,
and I have the skills to teach at least intermediate-level guitar. I'm
not
going to teach people to play Steve Vai solos, but I can teach advanced
chord theory, structure, jazz tunes, etc.
So my question is, how do I promote guitar lessons as well as bass,
without making one sound unappealing? I do want to focus on the bass
since
it is what I'm best at, but as John S. pointed out, there is a lot more
work
teaching guitar. I have felt insecure about teaching guitar because I
don't
really gig as a guitarist (except for small casual events), but after
meeting some of the "guitar teachers" around town I realized "Hey, if
these
guys who have never played a gig in their life and only know 2 scales can
teach 10 students a week, why can't I?"
I have taught both bass and guitar before, but I haven't found a good
way to promote them both together.
Thanks again for all the great advice.
-Jonathan




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