Infrequent lessons and teaching multiple songs
Found in: Adult Students, Attendance, Scheduling
Jacqui G., Canada
I need some counsel. Earlier this year, three ladies signed up for lessons after attending a workshop together. They are close friends and want to continue as a group, but here’s the catch. They say that due to their varying schedules and frequent absences to visit their families, they cannot commit to regular weekly lessons; instead they want me to teach them a “clump” of songs at a time, that they can work on for 4 – 6 weeks. With great trepidation I agreed to try this, and gave them Honey Dew, Jackson Blues, and Chester. Now I am sorry I did!
One of the ladies ran into me the other day and asked if she could “have another lesson in June sometime”; she told me that one of the others does not intend to continue. The third lady (the keenest one) is gone for 6 weeks, helping her daughter with newborn twins. When she returns, I think I am going to have to draw a line in the sand and tell them that if they cannot make room in their busy lives for regular lessons and practice, there is no point in continuing. The tricky part is that I have know them for years, our children grew up together, and I don’t want to lose them!
Has anyone tried this multi-song approach? What to you think of the idea? Could it work?
Heidi M., Canada
In my view, I feel that a student needs to show commitment in order to take lessons. The regular lessons plus practicing is a big part of them having music as their lifelong companion.
I personally don’t think the multi-song approach would work well unless the person was highly self-disciplined.
Christine R., Kansas
Anything is possible with the commitment to play those songs almost daily! Without that commitment to practice, it’s not possible.
Cate R., Australia
I don’t think they’d really get the whole Simply Music way of doing things. Maybe limit them to two pieces only, charge them a casual rate, which of course is higher than usual. Each lesson do two songs and some variations and some improvisation. Not too heavy, make it fun, light and especially not too stressful for you!
Rochelle G., California
Is it better to lose them, or have them have a poor piano experience?
Sue L., California
When I have busy adult students who travel, have family responsibilities, etc, I sometimes offer them the 2x/month option. One student who sees me twice a month has been with me for 2 years.l She moves more slowly, but she has been consistent.
Maureen K., California
I had an adult student who came once a month because she lives rather far and has a busy schedule. I taught her 4-8 pieces at a time, including accompaniment. She was highly motivated and bright. She lasted a year until she got too busy. I don’t regret it, because she came at a regular time and did learn and was fun for me to teach.
Anna J., Canada
I feel a little selfish here to say this, but I’d also reflect on the repercussions to you personally. I find it incredibly frustrating to deal with a “flexible” schedule and wouldn’t have the patience for what you describe. I’ve had 2 students come once a month and for one of them it worked well. For the other, not so much. But it worked for me because I knew that during the first week of each month I tacked an extra lesson on to that day. I think students and the program benefit immensely from a regular, committed schedule whether that’s weekly, monthly, or whatever. But it needs to be something you can live with too.
Carrie L., Michigan
My advice is to treat your studio like you are full. You don’t have time when you are full for students to just come in and out. I have an adult student that comes every other week though and it works for all of us as it is daytime. We also tend to put adults or students wanting every other week at the beginning or end of the day.
Heidi M., Canada
I am grateful for what I have learned here as I had a similar situation (though simpler) and I have just offered this students lessons just once every two weeks, which she accepted! Since she is very self-disciplined I think it is much better for her than quitting for 3 months due to financial difficulty and then starting up again for another 3 months before quitting again. I realize this situation is not the same as Jacqui’s but still saying thanks for everyone’s helpful comments.
Terah W., Kansas
I have had several adults at different times sign up with a 2x/month lesson and done very well for a year or more. On their “off” weeks I just use that same window of time to either study or practice. It produces something good either way! I don’t, however, usually suggest it first or take on more than one or two students like that at a time.
And to be fair…I don’t even encourage it when it comes up or take on just anyone who suggests it. I am very selective about who is asking and their reasoning, etc. I actually had one lady who kept trying to get me to agree to this and that type of changes, scheduling, even prices. Finally she asked if she can “try it just for a month” and instantaneously, my 3-month commitment clause was born on the spot! It was in type and changed that night.
I tell folks it takes approximately that long to get through Level 1 and they can’t possibly have much of an idea of the magic even at that point, but it is my minimum and it will reflect poorly on the method as well as my studio to do less. My point is, regardless of what you choose to do, offer, or be, it should be your call/decision! Requirement based type stuff as opposed to request-based which related here in how you choose to handle the student/request–not the other way around.