What to look for when choosing a violin teacher for your child

Depending on where you live, a high-quality music teacher may be an hour away or more, which is very important to consider if your child or children are involved in other extracurricular activities as well as music.

I don’t know about you, but the idea of spending an additional 3 hours in my car driving to and from the lesson and waiting for my child while they’re in their class doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.

I know you’d do that for your child - but other options, like virtual lessons might be a better fit for you and your family.

Practice Support:

The time spent in between the lessons is just as important if not more important than the lessons themselves!

A comprehensive practice plan can take an hour or two to create, so finding a teacher that also provides a practice plan to build on what was taught in the lesson is going to save you a ton of time while also making it easier for your child to learn.

Another benefit that some teachers offer is the option to send a recorded video of your child practicing and get feedback and corrections in-between lessons so that mistakes and unwanted habits don’t go on for too long.

Parent Support:

The idea of getting some support as a parent is often overlooked when choosing a music teacher.

The truth is that you, the parent, still play a very large role in the success of your child even if you don’t know how to play a musical instrument.

The opportunity to be in a community of other parents of violin students is incredibly helpful when looking for ideas to help keep your child motivated, how to overcome common obstacles, as well as buying second-hand violins that another child may have outgrown, but would be perfect for yours!

At the end of every group lesson in the Violin Practice Partner Program, there is a quick “Parent Nugget” video to help you support your child’s learning, development, and musical ability.

Group Lessons versus Private Lessons:

There are positive things about both group and private lessons, so finding a teacher that includes both in your monthly tuition is a HUGE advantage!

Group lessons allow the children to learn from each other, feed off each other’s energy, and celebrate each other’s wins!

Private lessons give your child that specific, one-on-one support to help them overcome any particular obstacle that may not have been addressed in the group setting.

Tuition:

And last, but not least, tuition is a very important consideration.

Tuition can vary slightly from teacher to teacher, and higher tuition doesn’t necessarily translate into the best experience for you or your child. 

The length of the lesson also affects tuition. As your child progresses in their training, more time is generally required to maintain momentum.

But starting out with a shorter, 20 - 30 minute lesson can keep costs low.

Typically violin lessons start at about $20 - $40/week and increase from there. In the early, beginner phases, you can expect to budget between $80 - $160/month for the lessons. However, if you look for virtual lessons, like what we offer, you can often save a bit of money not only on the lessons but also on gas and wear and tear on your car. 

I have a list of questions for you to ask as well as a recap of today’s video to help you make the best decision for your family. If you’d like to get that for free, go to violinpracticepartner.com/teacher