I always know a student, or parent of a student needs some help and understanding when they ask me the question “How many lessons will I/they need to take? If you’ve never played a music instrument or taken music lessons, it’s easy to understand how someone can ask. If you’ve played an instrument you know the question has no answer, or at least a specific one.
The short answer is learning to play guitar, piano, sing, or even play tuba takes time, and how much depends on how much you enjoy learning and playing your instrument. We often think of learning to play as a mental operation, if you know where the notes are on a staff, know how to play that note on your instrument of choice, then you can play. Not true.
Emily (LIYH director in Seattle) explained it to a parent when asked the question about starting piano lessons in Seattle in a very nice way. What would your results be if you went to work out at a gym 3,4,8,12, etc times? You can expect the same from music lessons. The more you put in the more you get out. It’s also safe to say that most people wouldn’t start working out unless they were ready (at least when they started) to go the distance.
This shouldn’t scare you from taking music lessons though; in fact I think it should comfort you. It’s comforting to know that there is no rush or set time it takes. No grade that specifically tells you where you are in your progression. Music is art, everyone is different and everyone will enjoy, share, and appreciate his or her art differently. To lesson the pressure, you’re never required to take lessons for a certain amount of time with LIYH and other well thought music teachers. You should take lessons as long as you want and need.
The ultimate goal from a teaching perspective is for a student to have the ability to teach themselves. Good music teachers start developing this skill from the very first lesson.
Dear LIYH Representatives,
I would like to know what is the best route for an emerging artist (myself) to begin teaching, even though I am still developing my own performing skills. I have a degree in Music Education, and would like to teach private lessons, but have no performance degrees. I am proficient, yet not advanced piano and enjoy teaching piano lessons to beginners. I am intermediate on flute, and also enjoy teaching music to beginners on flute. I worry about where my “competency” level should be before I teach for $$. Yet, I know that teaching is one of the best ways to learn, and everybody can teach somebody something.
Yet, I want to be credible, and look towards the long-run for my students, not just give them a good start.
Do you have any advice for me in this regard? Or, do you know a good direction to point me for further information?
With much appreciation for your aid,
Christina