How Do You Find Music Students?
This post grew out of a question from a reader in Australia.
Rachael asked:
"I'm a guitar and piano teacher too… Just recently moved to do an artist residency in the country, so I am trying to build local students. Do you have any tips on running a successful business when you're living in a small town?"
I replied:
Hi, Rachael,
That’s a very big topic. What I’ll do is give you suggestions on how to FIND students. Here is my two cents' worth...
Call local kids' organizations
Call the local Parks and Recreation people (usually a city entity) or Boys and Girls Club (non-profit charity, I think), and ask if you can offer classes through them, at their building. I'm talking about group classes, here. If they take you on board, they will do all the advertising (which may include announcements/brochures at the local school and also at the radio station!) It is a great partnership, and also a good way to attract private students, ultimately. This is something that I have done.
"I was thinking of doing introductory group keyboard classes for beginners... just 8 weeks... 10 weeks... I was thinking of a Summer Music Camp..." etc. Think LOW PRICES for group classes, but not for private!
Guitar, private or group
It's great that you play guitar -- guitar classes are VERY popular, though I don't recommend group guitar classes for young beginners, nor for large groups - you will spend half the lesson time or more tuning the guitars, especially if one of the students has a cheap guitar with a peg that keeps sliding. This has happened to me!
If you can keep the class size small, it might be a good way to let people know who you are, by offering guitar lessons as a "set" of lessons that would wind up and be all done in 8-10 weeks, for example. In that amount of time, kids can learn to understand reading tablature, and how to build chords. See my beginner guitar page to peruse different chord template sheets, and lots of songs for beginners.
Choir! Start some singers
How about offering group singing classes or a choir, if your skills lean that way, and you enjoy groups of chattering children?
If you have that ability, there will be parents DESPERATE to get their children into a choir. Singing rounds are an excellent vehicle for teaching kids to listen to themselves and others; you’ll find lots of rounds, vocal warmups, and songs for singing on my free vocal sheet music page.
Piano classes for groups
As far as piano classes go, you call it "Keyboard Classes," and tell them they must bring their own keyboards! (Unless your students’ keyboards have killer batteries, you would need to have a good set of electrical plug-ins and an extension cord that you could bring with you -- my husband made me a fancy one years ago that I used weekly for group keyboard classes. You also need a portable keyboard of your own.)
Many, many families have keyboards, forgotten in the closet, or friends from whom to borrow them. No, they're not ideal instruments, but many children just want a "taste" of the piano, so it can be a great introduction for them. And in point of fact, the keyboards keep getting better and better. If you're looking for one for yourself, try to get one with weighted keys (the Yamaha keyboard shown above does NOT have weighted keys - that will cost more).
One year, I bought eight or so inexpensive keyboards at Costco, and "rented" them out to students as part of their class. It was a good investment.
Some of these students will "stick" after the group class is finished, and will wish to continue on with private lessons. On my page “Beginner Piano Music,” you’ll find PLENTY of music to keep beginners busy.
Music Stores
Get to know the people at the local music store -- IF THERE IS ONE in your small town -- and leave your cards there, if you have a business card. Or drop by frequently and ask if they have any requests for guitar and piano teachers, and a list of teacher names. It’s also possible they have small piano rooms just for teachers such as yourself to make use of!
Other teachers' recitals, & concerts
Attend local recitals that you hear about, and introduce yourself to the teacher, group leader, or organizer. Offer to accompany for a struggling choir, or even just be a substitute from time to time, whether a community choir or a church choir.
Public & private schools
Visit the local schools and introduce yourself to the band and choir directors, or such music teachers as exist. Ask if they need any accompanying done from time-to-time. They will doubtless be delighted, even if they have a current accompanist. Some of the kids in that group may wish to take lessons from you; this has happened to me.
What about churches?
Lots of churches also need back-up pianists, (though I would personally not attend a church just to play the piano, unless I was paid, because church attendance is an important priority for me, and I don't go to church just for the music!).
Homeschool families - they may become your primary student population
Find out who homeschools, and call parents up and chat with them. Most people are pretty friendly, and homeschool parents' ears perk up when they hear the word "teacher;" don't assume that they want to do all the teaching themselves! Homeschool kids will often be your best students, and their parents are very dedicated.
Where do you go to find homeschoolers?
Frequently, churches. Call the pastors or secretaries and just ask if they have a group of homeschoolers and if so, is there a group leader or a mom in particular who wouldn't mind chatting with you about the need for more teachers in this group? There are many play groups/shared classes among homeschoolers.
Local school band & choir teachers. In a small town, they may know who homeschools.
Dance studios, maybe. And a dance studio may just yearn for a real-to-goodness piano player, also!
The local Boys and Girls Club, if there is one. When my oldest daughters were little, the homeschoolers kept that place busy the first half of the day, before public school got out for the day.
Even if you have only 3 students, give special recitals, because they will invite family and friends, and word will get around!
GOOD LUCK!!
Dianna:
Your website is a light in the darkness. THANK YOU for all you do in helping to spread the love of music. It matters!
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All the first-year material I give my beginner students.
Piano keyboard sheets, scales, chords, note-reading exercises, and over 256 pages of music!
This beautiful song book for piano & voice "Esther, For Such a Time as This", available as a digital download, tells the riveting story of the time when Jews in ancient Persia faced a foe named Haman, and how a brave young queen risked her life to save her people.
A good choice for a singing story-teller, an operatic group, a short theater production, or a class of children!
This book is also available from Amazon as a paperback.
This book is available as a digital download from this site. Visit this page to see some free examples from the book.
It is also available from Amazon as a paperback!
This is the perfect easy start for little pianists.
And when they start reading white-key notes on the staff, this is a fun easy resource to say each week, "Choose a new black-key song at home this week and figure it out to show me next lesson!" They will be spending more time at the piano.
A perfect read aloud storybook
for little boys or girls.
The Adventures of Tonsta highlight the travels of a very young boy with a good heart, who goes about helping folk in trouble.
With a red cap on his head and a sack of tools slung over his shoulder, Tonsta seems to meet people in distress wherever he goes.
Lots of trolls in this book - including one who gives him a Christmas gift!
Your second block of text...
About the Author
Hi, I'm Dana! (Say that like "Anna".) I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, and a newer site, SingTheBibleStory.com.
Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.
You can find out more about me and the reason for this website at my About Me page.
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Free Irish sheet music, the beautiful White, Orange, & Green tells the story of a daring young Irish girl, who defends her country's flag!