Five ways to choose a music teacher who is perfect for you

With September now upon us, the start of the school year brings about feelings of newness and a desire to learn. 

Whether you’re heading back to the classroom this month, or your school days are firmly behind you, it’s never too late to pick up a musical instrument for the first time.

Contents

• Choose a teacher who fits your specific needs and circumstances
• Try lessons with multiple teachers 
• Ask questions!
• Avoid booking lessons based on a big name
• Speak to other students 
• So there you have it…

Once you’ve ticked off the obvious points at the start of your musical journey - mainly which instrument is right for you! - the next task to come is picking a teacher. 

While it sounds like it should simply be a case of opening Google and finding teachers in your area, there are several important factors that you may want to consider before committing to that person. 

MusicTeachers.co.uk spoke to Callum Smart, acclaimed soloist and professor at the Royal Northern College of Music, about his top tips for receiving the most out of your musical education - and how to pick a teacher who is the right fit for you. 

Choose a teacher who fits your specific needs and circumstances

Before selecting a teacher, think about what you need from your lessons. Do you learn best via certain teaching techniques, are there physical barriers that may affect your lessons, or will it be difficult for you to travel to an in-person class? All of these things are important factors to consider while choosing someone to study under.

Callum says, “It is very important that the teacher's technical focus or style gels with the student’s vision of how they want to play. It is also crucial to search for a teacher who shows an adaptability of technical styles which will fit the student’s particular set-up or body, as everyone is different. 

“This will enable the student to feel as though they are shaping their own style of playing, and the teacher will have helped to shape a more complete and well-rounded artist.”

And while Callum recommends that music lessons should be taken in person, he recognises that this is not always practical.

“Although, in my opinion, whether or not a tutor can teach remotely should not be the priority, I do think it speaks to their flexibility and adaptability to deliver the education at all costs, which is a valuable trait.” 

Try lessons with multiple teachers 

While it may be tempting to just run with the first teacher you meet, they may not be the perfect fit for you - so trying a few different teachers before you commit to a block of lessons can be very beneficial. 

“This is absolutely vital,” agrees Callum. “It’s so important to try different teachers, as everyone has different ways of communicating and working. Trying lessons with different people also allows you to identify what information resonates the most with how you’re hoping to improve in your playing. 

“It is also crucial for teachers: I personally recommend and ask all prospective students to take at least one lesson with someone else, so that when they come to study with me, they know they have fully explored their options. This leads to extremely little turnover in my classes, giving me the chance to build wonderful relationships with a stable and core group of students.”

Ask questions!

Sometimes, continuously posing queries can feel intrusive or pushy. 

But when it comes to learning an instrument, there’s no such thing as too many questions - whether that’s prior to the lesson, or during it.

“It is common to feel slightly intimidated when taking a lesson with someone new for the first time, and this can lead to the student not always getting answers to the questions that they need,” Callum explains. “But there is really no such thing as too many questions! They will help you fully understand what that teacher can do for you and how they work.

“It also leaves a good impression on the teacher, as they will see how much you care about getting the best education.”

Avoid booking lessons based on a big name

Of course, it’s only natural to be drawn into booking a lesson because the teacher is a famous musician in their field.

But that doesn’t necessarily make them the best teacher for you, Callum warns. 

“It can be easy to be impressed by the largest CV or biggest name, and whilst that is often an indicator of success, don’t be so quick to rule out someone you have not heard of,” he encourages. “Again, it all comes down to the lesson. 

“If you feel that the teacher is bringing something out of you that no one else has, and that they are able to identify how best to help you, then trust your gut!” 

Speak to other students 

Another great way to find out if a teacher will be a good fit for you is to speak to those who have played under them. 

Perhaps this is in person, or by reading the references and reviews underneath their MusicTeachers.co.uk profile - however you choose, getting feedback from other clients will help you find your perfect match. 

Callum agrees. “It’s always good to speak to students who have studied with that teacher, whether that’s in the past or if they are a current pupil. They can speak directly of their style of working and their experience, and offer key insights to the culture and environment of lessons.” 

So there you have it…

Although it may be convenient to go with the first teacher you stumble across, there are actually many avenues to investigate when it comes to finding a teacher who is perfect for you.

By really taking the time to explore your options, figure out if their teaching styles are suited to you, and chat with a handful of their past and present students, you will be closer to finding the person who will unlock your full musical potential.