These 8 Freebies Will Help You Organize Your Piano Teaching Studio
As you’re starting out your piano studio, there are some important things to do to help things run as smoothly as possible. Of course you’ll want a studio policy and you’ll need to figure out all of the business logistics (like your tuition rate, how you want to be paid, how you will keep track of things, etc.).
I believe there are also some really important things you can do to set your new students up for success!
4 Ways to Set Your New Students Up For Success:
- Get to Know Them + Make Goals
Whenever I start a new student I give them a get-to-know-you form to fill out. This is important for helping me to learn things about my new students, including their musical background, other hobbies and things they like to do, contact information for the parents, and most importantly – WHY they are taking piano lessons and what they hope to accomplish. When we are not only upfront about OUR goals for our studio, but about what the student’s goals are, then we can get on the same page and everyone can know what to expect.
2. Communicate Responsibilities of Student, Teacher AND Parents
Piano lessons are a commitment, and particularly when the student is a child, it is a three-way relationship including student, teacher and parents. Students do not succeed without positive parental support at home. It is so important to communicate this to the parents right from the beginning to help set your student up for success. Follow up with regular and frequent communication with parents.
3. Get Students Excited About Music
Music is about joy and expression! We should always strive to get our students excited about music. I love to encourage my students to LISTEN to music, especially classical music, because music appreciation is SO important in the development of a musician. As students discover piano pieces that they simply LOVE and would like to learn someday, encourage them to start a “Repertoire Wish List.”
4. Teach the Importance of Practicing
Of course, one of your main jobs as a piano teacher is to teach your students HOW to practice. There are many things you can do to encourage great practicing at home, but sometimes a simple practice chart is what a student needs to be motivated. They can mark off how many days they practice in a row, they can put stickers on the days that they practice, or they can write how many minutes they practice. (But just remember – quality is much more important than quantity!) My teacher had a sign hanging on her door that said, “You only need to practice on the days that you eat!” She thought it was hilarious and I came to appreciate it as well. Now I have a similar sign hanging in my studio!
Would you like me to email you 8 FREE Resources (including the ones shown above) to help you get your studio all organized and all set-up for student success? The Studio-Starter Pack includes the following:
- Get-to-Know-You Questionnaire for New Students
- Parent/Teacher/Student Contract
- “Piano Notes” Page for Newsletters or Weekly Assignments
- Blank Stationery for Notes to Parents
- Repertoire Wish List
- Monthly Practice Chart
- Tuition Reminder Sign (3 Choices)
- Practice Reminder Sign
There are TWO different styles of every form, so in total you will get 16 freebies! Click the button below and let me know where you want me to send your Studio Starter Pack.
