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music teachers, anyone?


lovelandpiano

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Hi --

I am a new member and the director of a piano studio in Colorado. I would love to chat with other teachers/music school directors, and wondered if this was the right place. Hope to hear from you soon!

Karen :)

 

Hi Karen, and welcome to the Keyboard Corner!

 

Although we're glad to have you here, you will probably find more people like yourself on The Piano Forum here:

 

The Piano Forum

 

Best of luck to you.

 

Tom

 

 

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo
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Thanks, Dan.

 

Welcome to the forum, Karen. Good to have a fellow CO person here.

'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo.

 

We need a barfing cat emoticon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I'm a teacher in Rome's biggest school of music, with two main ramifications, Jazz and Pop/Rock.

I'm very much involved in the didactic/teaching part, not so much in the organization side of things.

I'd be glad to exchange ideas and experiences.

 

 

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Welcome, Karen! A number of us on here teach as well as play (I don't teach anymore, but used to give private lesssons). I'm sure any topics you bring up or insights you want to share will be appreciated!

Original Latin Jazz

CD Baby

 

"I am not certain how original my contribution to music is as I am obviously an amateur." Patti Smith

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Welcome. Music teachers are a good thing...... :cool:

 

My students have fallen off substantially because of the economy, I also don't really hustle it too much. I'm not too good with little kids, I think it takes a certain kind of person to do that, in fact a lot of "teachers" go to school to study just "how" to teach children.

 

I think I do ok with more advanced players. Also with singers just starting out that want to learn some voicings, develop good time and accompany themselves on piano.

https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris

 

2005 NY Steinway D

 

 

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HI, Karen. I've got a pretty full teaching schedule. For me, that's around 24 students. That leaves evenings free for rehearsals and gigs, and allows me to take Mondays off. Having Monday free is important because I usually gig on weekends (and more).

 

I teach kids, mostly, from 6 right up into the teens. I only have 1 adult student at this point, and she's been with me for years. I'd like more adults, but I don't really advertise, and all my new students are word of mouth from other parents.

 

For some reason the Piano Forum stresses me out. Not enough beer talk, maybe ;)

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Welcome, Karen!

 

I'm not a music teacher in the sense that most people think about. However, I am a special education teacher that happens to co-teach a bell choir with my students for one period out of the day. I have severely developmentally delayed students, and I teach them Life Skills Math, Life Skills English, anything to get 'em more independent, and the music class, which involves color-coded bells along with correspondingly colored paper. Lots of fun!

 

I'm sort of sporadic with my posts here despite the large post count, unfortunately, so if there's a specific question, PM me and I'll answer...or draw my attention to the thread at hand.

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I make more money teaching than performing these days (which is not a lot). I'm not very professional -- I'm out of business cards, don't advertise, just word of mouth. Most people my age, 20s-30s who want to learn some Amy Winehouse or Rolling Stones tune or just some blues licks or how to get by on Hammond, or a couple of singers who are trying to learn to accompany themselves playing torchy songs. I don't teach kids (except my 3 year old nephew when I babysit him once a week -- even then, he just gravitates to the Rhodes when I'm on the piano next to it. If I start playing along to an Aretha record (he loves Aretha) or just start a groove, he usually gets in the right key and everything. And of course, he loves the glissandi.

 

It's fun, makes some pocket change (although I occasionally barter for beer), and gets me sometimes learning tunes I didn't know before (some friend wanted to learn to play "Jessica," so I figured out the two main rhythm parts Chuck Leavell played and some little ideas from the solo -- a few weeks later she switched to accordian. True story. It's like finding out a woman turned lesbian after dating you! Still good friends, though!).

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I make a big chunk of my income from teaching. If you have a good balance of students, teaching can be awesome. By a good balance I mean a nice mix of students learning different things at different ages. I have a great balance of students right now so I enjoy it. Most of my students are adults, just because the way I've advertised tends to attract adults. Mostly players with some experience looking to learn a bit of jazz or play the rock or blues licks they find so elusive.

 

There are many benefits to teaching, but one that I've been especially enjoying recently is being exposed to great songs I wouldn't have otherwise bumped into. I discovered Burton Cummings this way, as well as some Santana B-sides and Elton tunes that I wouldn't have ever come across. You get paid for a hang and to learn about music. Nothing wrong with that, I would have been doing that anyway.

Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37

 

My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section

https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native

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  • 2 weeks later...

Sorry guys... thanks for all the warm welcomes! I've been crazy busy with the studio. I'm excited that there are a few other teachers here. I have been excited that my studio has grown a ton this last year even with the economy! I have doubled my students in this last year (I have over 40 students and a waiting list right now).

I love that there are a variety of different teachers here in different situations. I teach students 7-adult, with the occasional 5-year-old thrown in there. I love teaching older kids and adults especially, and have been experimenting with various arenas to reach new students.

 

(apparent marketing spam removed by moderator)

 

Thanks and I wish you the best!

karen :)

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Awww, from such a nice introduction to what looks like something we'd normally flag in a NY second as spam.

 

Hope I'm wrong . . . .so, welcome to the forum but please take a peek at the policy regarding advertising products and services.

 

We're happy to hear about all things beneficial to musicians (and keyboard players in particular), but usually when someone we don't know, posts a link to a service they're "endorsing" on their first or second post, we get a little suspicious.

 

 

Yamaha C7 Grand, My Hammonds: '57 B3, '54 C2, '42 BC, '40 D, '05 XK3 Pro System, Kawai MP9000, Fender Rhodes Mk I 73, Yamaha CP33, Motif ES6, Nord Electro 2, Minimoog Voyager & Model D, Korg MS10
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While I understand the concern for sticking with policy, and don't agree with 'targeted promotions' of companies/services here, I feel - from rereading Karen's post - that the intent was that of offering a resource to fellow teachers, not a blatant endorsement to sell a product. I've seen that attempted here, and this just didn't bear that sort of resemblance.

 

Private teaching can be a tricky market. And historically artists sometimes haven't been the best business people, to which I can well relate. So I'd take a look at something potentially helpful that was passed along.

'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo.

 

We need a barfing cat emoticon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Not convinced.

 

#1) Fill in your info and get sent a free report? Cheeseballs

 

#2) Blast us with this website in your second post? Spend no time creating a relationship first and actually discussing teaching a little bit?

 

Sorry but that's lame.

Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37

 

My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section

https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native

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Awww, from such a nice introduction to what looks like something we'd normally flag in a NY second as spam.

 

Hope I'm wrong . . . .so, welcome to the forum but please take a peek at the policy regarding advertising products and services.

 

We're happy to hear about all things beneficial to musicians (and keyboard players in particular), but usually when someone we don't know, posts a link to a service they're "endorsing" on their first or second post, we get a little suspicious.

 

+1

 

 

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I am teaching online masterclasses via Skype when I am not on tour.

 

Please go to dereksherinian.com for info

 

Thanks,

Derek

Hi Derek, we're glad to have you on the forum... however... read the previous few posts please.

 

 

 

 

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Started as a commercial marketing thread, imo.

Harry Likas was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and also helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 350 of Harry's jazz piano arrangements of standards, for educational purposes, and tutoring at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas

 

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+1 to all expressions of suspicion, and what a bummer. It is quite possibly not even "Karen" being Karen on this board.

 

"Karen," if you are Karen, contribute and build a bit of a camaraderie with the folks here if you're sincere. If not, a moderator will probably disable your link and justifiably consider your posts spam.

Original Latin Jazz

CD Baby

 

"I am not certain how original my contribution to music is as I am obviously an amateur." Patti Smith

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+1 to all expressions of suspicion, and what a bummer. It is quite possibly not even "Karen" being Karen on this board.

 

"Karen," if you are Karen, contribute and build a bit of a camaraderie with the folks here if you're sincere. If not, a moderator will probably disable your link and justifiably consider your posts spam.

 

 

I understand the need to keep our forum clean from spam, but need to add a couple of thoughts:

 

Fortunately, this isn't a case of disguise in order to promote a product/service. Being a fellow Loveland, CO piano teacher I've been able to confirm this. Loveland Piano Academy, and its' owner, Karen, are both legit. Other than a reference to a separate business service, we were not directly invited by our new member to 'fill in info', etc.. (I've seen much more blatant misuse, both here and elsewhere) Possibly she didn't understand the rules of the forum ? IDK... Heck, I was referred here by Tony O back in early '09, and one of the first things I did was put two items up for sale. Dave Bryce called me on that, right away; I fixed the matter. IIRC though, due to my work schedule and being new, I didn't post much in the first couple of months either. I suggest we give the matter time, with regard to passing judgement. I agree though that it's wisest for the moderators to err on the side of caution when it comes to 'third party' business suggestions offered by members.

As the section of 'marketing' info presented has since been removed, I believe we can continue here, or in future threads, with discussions about music education: teacher discussions (quite a few of us here now, including Karen), or specific technique issues, etc. that may come up as questions. Hopefully, as members with some history here, we can offer occasional 'tools of the trade' suggestions (books that have been helpful, or even a service that has been useful) without feeling that those comments are suspect. If new members take the time to read the forum policies, and develop a little history, it will hopefully not be a problem for them either.

 

 

 

 

'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo.

 

We need a barfing cat emoticon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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