Studio Management
Managing Fast-moving Students
I have an experienced student who is 9 years old and has been playing for about 4-5 years in a traditional method. Reading is fair, but he has been playing by ear for years and his overall ability and absorption rate, in this area, is…
When Students do not bring their Playlist to Lessons
I would like to know what do you say to students or parents when they do not bring their playlist or note books?, or and they bring it but they did not mark it but parents say they practice every day anyway? Also when students are in a…
Uncooperative Child
I’d like to know if you have any standard policies and strategies regarding uncooperative young children. I am dealing with a 5 year old boy who is very un-cooperative. He is in a class with another 5 year old boy. If I give him an…
Student Requests to Play Other Songs
I have a student who has just started F2, had done 4 arrangements. She is learning a few other instruments as well. She is a fast learner, able to play the new songs hands together immediately after I show her. She has asked me to…
Short Term, Struggling and Wishy-Washy Students
I have a student that I am not sure how to proceed with. Petey is 9yrs and was a good student and eager learner, always did his practice and had his playlist in great condition. His mom is very supportive at home and communicative with me. Petey…
One Student Demoralizing Another
I’m hoping someone has come up with a solution to this problem. I recently had a student leave because there was a student in her group who was able to pick up the songs right away due to her 2-years prior piano experience. The group…
Misbehavior in Class
I have an 8 year old boy who does things like sit in a chair that is not where all the other kids are sitting or he’ll get up when I turn my head and go down the hall way or he won’t watch as…
How Much Time before Refusing to Teach
I have a new sibling group of two consisting of 6 & 7 year old boys. They have had 2 lessons and they are Russian. The 6 year old has been totally uncooperative both lessons to the point of my wanting to refuse to teach…
Difficult Student
I have a question for you. I am teaching my brother, and he loves to play the songs he has learned, but he is very difficult to teach because does not believe he needs all the steps that the teacher (me) says must be done…
Comparing Students
I need your opinions/input as to how to intelligently respond to a parent who, after the recital sent an email asking me to share my thoughts: 1. I think my child is moving too slow, isn’t being challenged enough, child is very bright (agreed) WHY?…