Ask The Right Questions About Music Lessons New Jersey Teachers Offer Their Students

By Enid Hinton


There are times when it is simply not possible for families to drive far distances for lessons. It is possible to find quality instruction nearby. Before you go, you will want to have the right questions to ask when you attend an interview with the prospective instructor.

Excellent instructors in Paramus, NJ are waiting to meet new students, from children to adults. There is a high level of competence provided by music lessons New Jersey instructors offer families in the area. You can schedule an appointment to meet them, knowing you will be prepared to ask the right things.

You will want to know the educational background of the persons who interest you. Asking about their teaching experience is also helpful. Some families will enjoy the enthusiasm and up to date educational philosophies of recent college graduates. Others will prefer the experiences of an older teacher who has worked with young people over many years.

Ask the prospective educator what will be taught during the learning period. Technique, repertoire, theory, sight reading skills and even some music history are all things that should be included, though exactly how much and how frequently will depend upon the age and development of the student.

Request a list of teaching materials and methods proposed for study. Some teachers prefer to use only one method. Others use many, tailoring each to the particular needs of the individual learner. Most important is that the methods allow for gradual learning of basic fundamental concepts in a sequential and cumulative fashion. Books leveled this way give a better chance that each student will advance with no learning gaps to an advanced level of ability and function.

Many instructors offer free demonstration lessons. Bringing your child to have one is a great way to learn two things. You will discover if the two personalities in question get along, or clash miserably. You can also see how skilled the adult is in terms of engaging the child in the learning process. The teacher has the opportunity to evaluate musical readiness during the time allotted.

Recitals are a common part of learning an instrument. Some studios make them mandatory. Finding out how many times they are offered is an excellent question because your family may be essentially shy. If so, you will want to avoid so called competitive schools. Playing for a group of listeners can be very satisfying or very frightening. It is better to know where and when any performances will take place so that you can mentally prepare for them. Some require extra fees and bringing refreshments or helping with set up and clean up duties.

Do ask about fees and how they are handled. This varies widely. There are music schools that expect tuition for an entire semester in advance. Some private studios ask for monthly tuition in advance. Still others require hourly tuition payable at the beginning of each scheduled lesson. If you are prepared, you will know which of these options you are willing to use.




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