Making Music: How to Discover the Perfect Teacher for Your Child

​One bad algebra teacher can doom a child to a permanent dislike of mathematics. A boring, dry history teacher can turn a child off to the fascinating events that have shaped human culture. In the same way, a bad music teacher can negatively affect your child, perhaps completely discouraging him from playing an instrument altogether. In short, a bad experience with a teacher can affect a child for the rest of his life.
 
Finding your child the right music teacher can be overwhelming. How do you know what to look for? Where do you find a teacher who will meet your child’s learning needs and will inspire your child to enjoy playing an instrument and develop a love of music? 

Word of Mouth

​The infamous parent network is often a great place to start when looking for a music teacher. Ask your friends, coworkers, and neighbors for their recommendations. Find out what the overall impression of the teacher seems to be among parents, as well as how much he or she charges. Make special note of teachers who are recommended (or not recommended) by multiple people, and compile a list with several candidates.

Use the Internet

​Many local music schools and private teachers have websites that promote their services. Use the Internet to find nearby instructors and research their rates and schedules. Check out performance videos, look for testimonials, and see what experience the teacher may have. 

Go to College

​Contact the music department at local college or universities. While the department chair may not give lessons, they may be able to refer you to graduate students or other musicians in the department who will.

Find a School

​Many communities have music schools that offer lessons in various instruments. They may teach music theory as well as individual lessons, and some may have performance options such as ensembles, bands, and orchestras.

Attend a Performance

One of the best ways to evaluate a teacher’s abilities is to see how their current students perform. Spend an evening at a recital, paying particular attention to the students at your child’s level. Are there students at different levels? Do they have a good repertoire with the teacher? Do the parents appear happy with the evening’s performance? If possible, speak to a few of the attending parents to get their perspective on the teacher.

Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential candidates to a select few, set up interviews with each of them. Prepare any questions ahead of time to ensure that you find out the most pertinent information. Take your child with you to the interview so he can meet the teacher and ask any questions he may have. (In all reality, the teacher should be interviewing you and your child, too, ensuring a good fit for all parties involved.)
 
Possible questions may include:

• What is your availability? Are you retired and travel frequently? Do you work a full-time position that has variable hours? (Missed lessons means less practice and less consistent learning.)
• What professional music experience have you had? (While it is not imperative for a teacher to have been a recording artist, it does speak to the caliber of their musical ability if they have experience in a professional setting.)
• What outside exposure do your students participate in? (Does the teacher arrange workshops, ensembles, camps, or other extra-instructional activities that students can take advantage of? Do they take their students to concerts or musical performances to enhance their exposure to music?)
• What level of students do you accept? (Some teachers prefer to work only with beginner-level students, while others accept students of varying levels.)
• What teaching approach do you use? Do you follow a set curriculum? Have you developed your own system?
• What is your policy regarding missed/cancelled lessons? 

Add any questions you and your child may have. Don’t be afraid to inform them that you are interviewing other teachers and will let them know when you have made a decision.
 
After you’ve made your decision and the first few lessons have passed, make sure to evaluate if the teacher is a good fit for your child. A good teacher will inspire students to achieve more and will nurture a child’s natural desire to excel. Your child should feel comfortable with what is being required at each lesson and should clearly understand both the lesson and what is expected. There is a difference between struggling with a skill because it is new and struggling with a skill because you don’t understand how to master it. A good teacher gives students the skills necessary to accomplish their lessons and encourages them to work through the struggle.
 
Music is an important part of life, and can benefit children for years, long after they’ve stopped taking lessons. Finding the right teacher can have a lasting effect on your child’s development, musically and otherwise.