5 Things to Consider When Looking for a Violin Teacher for Your Child
When it comes to learning a new instrument, nothing will make a bigger difference in your musical experience than your teacher. A great teacher is worth their weight in gold!
The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to have your child work with an AMAZING teacher. Today I’m going to share with you the essential 5 things to look for in a violin teacher, as well as questions to ask to help you feel confident in the process of choosing one for your child.
Hi, I'm Melodie with the Violin Practice Partner, and I've been teaching violin for 25 years. It's my mission to help light the world through music by helping children learn to play the violin, while also gaining confidence, learning important life skills, and improving their academic achievement.
Other than the obvious point of making sure that your child connects with their music teacher, there are a few other things to research when finding someone to teach your child the violin.
- Location:
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 would do anything for your child, but there are a few ways to find an awesome teacher right where you live.
Asking friends who they recommend is a great start, and usually gives the opportunity to learn a lot before you even talk to the teacher!
If that doesn’t work for you, the Suzuki Association also has a directory of teachers you can use as a resource: https://suzukiassociation.org/find-a-suzuki-teacher/
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.
In this situation, virtual lessons might be a better fit for you and your family. This can open up a world of possibilities, as long as that format works for you!
- Practice Support:
The way you use the time in between your music 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 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 an instrument.
The opportunity to be in a community of other parents of violin students is incredibly helpful when trying to help keep your child motivated, overcome common obstacles, and buy secondhand violins that another child may have outgrown, but would be perfect for yours!
For example, at the end of every group lesson in my Violin Practice Partner Program, there is a quick “Parent Nugget” video to help you support your child’s learning, development, and musical ability. I’ve found that parental support is crucial to a child’s success in their lessons!
- Group Lessons versus Private Lessons:
Depending on your prior knowledge about music lessons, you might not be aware that some teachers utilize group lessons, and others solely use private lessons.
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.
Because there are positive things about both styles of lessons, finding a teacher that incorporates both of them is a HUGE advantage!
- Tuition:
Last, but not least, tuition is a very important consideration. It can vary slightly from teacher to teacher, and it’s important to keep in mind that higher tuition doesn’t necessarily translate into the best experience for you or your child.
When you’re comparing rates, it’s important to remember that 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 beginner phases, you can expect to budget between $80 - $160/month for the lessons. However, if you look for virtual lessons, you can often save a bit of money not only on the lessons but also on gas and wear on your car.
I have compiled a specific list of questions for you to ask potential teachers, as well as a recap of today’s video to help you choose the best teacher for your family. If you’d like to access those resources for free, you can check them out here.
