Lessons: Getting the job/ tips

[M__]

So, this thread is made with the intention for those of us who wish to start teaching lessons or already are. Hopefully people will chime in with tips on auditioning for a teaching position at a music store and tips once you have the job dealing with students and any troubles you may be having as a teacher.


This summer I want to get a job a couple days a week teaching. I'm going to type up a resume of how long I've been playing, what instruments I've played, where etc. Hopefully that will get an audition that will lead to a job so I can make a little more money.


Any thoughts/ideas/tips?

[Left Shoe]

its not as easy as you think, to teach that is, for the audition show different aspects of your playing, show them something technical, play some jazz, offer to sight read something for them etc etc etc

[HaVIC5]

^ They don't give a crap about what you can play, they give a crap about how well you can explain what you play.

My advice actually isn't auditioning for a music store if you have no music teaching experience, because chances are very likely that you won't get the gig. I would just freelance yourself, passing out flyers, making listings on craigslist.org, and doing things like that advertising yourself as a private teacher and providing brief information to passersby about your playing/etc and contact information. Once you're in dialogue with someone you can "audition" or pitch yourself to them more in detail.

[EADG]

All I have to say is, good luck establishing yourself as a music teacher (in a store or freelance) with no formal education (post secondary, conservatory).

[Left Shoe]

^ They don't give a crap about what you can play, they give a crap about how well you can explain what you play.



i got offered a job in a local music store while i was trying out basses, i wasnt shouting out how to remember flat or sharp key signatures, i was just playing.

[HaVIC5]

Must be a pretty shitty private lesson program there, then. That would never happen around here.

[Scott01]

Or he was just playing extroardinarily well that the music shop felt compelled to take onboard his skillz.

[HaVIC5]

Again, playing well definitely does not equal good teacher. Matt Garrison here is easily the most techically and musically accomplished faculty member at Berklee, but he's a pretty mediocre teacher.

[EADG]

Again, playing well definitely does not equal good teacher.


Agreed

[BassVirtuoso]

Again, playing well definitely does not equal good teacher. Matt Garrison here is easily the most techically and musically accomplished faculty member at Berklee, but he's a pretty mediocre teacher.

Have you gotten to touch Matt Garrison?

[White_Summer]

i have never auditioned for a teaching job, always get them through connections, best and easiest way, little to no interview, no real requirements as your connection has recomended you, thats the easiest way to get a teaching gig, as for just on your own, try to get on the sub list first, then try to get a job

[Left Shoe]

Must be a pretty shitty private lesson program there, then. That would never happen around here.

it is, but the point is i got the job. =P

and as far as matt garrison goes, the people who go to berklee and get him as a private lessons teacher get screwed over, his modus operandi for lessons is either to not show or just reschedule them all the time, or so i hear from members of the faculty