Simpedia

Carrie L., Michigan

Typically students often move faster in shared lessons. There’s more pressure to keep up. It’s also way more fun and a much better experience for everyone! There are special needs students that may be better served in private lessons. But not all.

It can be tricky and it’s definitely more energy, but for me I prefer it. It’s worth the headache for many reasons. I’ve found that a good matched shared lesson means students stay longer and enjoy it more. It means I teach less and make the same amount of income. It means that piano becomes a social event and they can participate in social events. It’s one of the reasons I teach Simply Music and have for over 13 years.

Kym N., California

There is no doubt that there are many good things with shared lessons that private lessons can’t easily offer. However, how fast the students learn mainly depends on how well they practice at home. It doesn’t matter whether it is a group or private. But there are more things for teachers to manage with shared lessons. So more brain work for the teachers. Shared lessons are wonderful only if every student in the group has the same mindset and they are all practicing relatively well. However, there is a lot of headache for teachers when students are not moving at a similar speed for various reasons.

Heidi M., Canada

Initially I started with private lessons because most of my students didn’t seem to fit each other or were extremely shy (from other cultures), and I continue to enjoy teaching them. But now for a number of reasons (I am living closer to town now and there is a larger pool to draw from, so to speak), it seems the right time/situation for me to also start shared lessons. I am quite excited by it and will go over some of the videos/audios about shared lessons once again.

Cheri S., Utah

Shared lessons are totally worth it, for all the reasons Carrie mentioned. As far as your original question, my experience is that it’s rare for students to do better in private lessons. Almost all students can find a good group fit, as long as you have enough classes going. People think private means faster progress, because they can totally go at their own pace, with a private tutor. But there’s no substitute for the group synergy, fun, and accountability.

I’ve had a few students in private because of extreme learning challenges. Without the group accountability, they tend to practice less and find more reasons to miss lessons. They’re almost always legitimate reasons, because in my studio you still pay. But it seems like students in groups more often find ways around even the potentially legitimate absences.

Also, shared lessons are just tons more fun for everyone, a social event students often look forward to (or, for those reluctant musicians, at least resist less!). That keeps students in your studio longer.

Jacqui G., Canada

Whether group or private, regular practice is the key. I have only had two groups: 1) three very musical preteens with extremely different personalities and goals, but one thing in common: none of them ever practiced. The group fizzled out after three months; and 2) three very keen committed ladies (close friends) who can only come as a group once every six weeks or so. Despite this, they make steady progress because they practice!

Laurie Richards, Nebraska

I absolutely love teaching groups. It is sometimes a challenge with different personalities, learning styles, and learning paces. But I like figuring out how to make it work. I’m in the process right now of shuffling some students around to get them into more appropriately-paced classes. Private piano lessons put music in a very isolating environment for the student, in my opinion. They practice alone, they go to their lessons alone, and have no musical interaction with anyone on a regular basis.

I have found the group dynamic fascinating – one student in a group can impact everyone else, for better or for worse. For example, I have these two sisters in a group of five that is now finishing up Level 7. Their mom is the PERFECT coach – she totally gets it. They do absolutely everything I say to the tee, playlists always stellar, and mom is not overbearing; just very patient. The rest of the class has risen to the challenge naturally – they see the results from these two, and the whole class is motivated to do the same.

On the flip side, one person can also be a drag on the rest of the class. I’ve seen where the other students get into a mode of ‘I don’t need to practice that hard to keep up with so-and-so”. Momentum goes out the window. Unfortunately I think this tends to be more common than my first example.

I’m grateful to have experienced both scenarios – it has made me realize that it is SO worth it to have a requirement-based studio, to communicate that right up front before anyone even enrolls, and to know without a doubt that this curriculum is fraking amazing. I can attest that the stronger your communication and follow-through regarding requirements, the lower your attrition will be.