Simpedia

Victoria S., California

Five min. before class ends, just stand up at your white board and say, “Take out your notes book and write the assignment. Then I’ll take any questions.”

After they write the assignment, say, “We have time for one (or two – your call) questions.” If they have more questions, say, “We’re out of time. But we’ll cover that very first thing next class.”

Stephanie K. , Nebraska

I am glad to see this topic in the Forums. I want to say that just as deeply and profoundly as I feel music, I also feel people. I have two class slots that are at the end of the day for me. Both of these class slots have one lingering student. These students actually stay to chat. I allow it. I actually feel like I want to know these people, and their lingering is a sign to me that they have something to say. My studio is in my home, so the lesson usually ends naturally when my family emerges from the family room at the end of a full 60 minutes. This helps the student to naturally transition their way out the door. I am not an abrupt person. It hurts me to see people be unnecessarily abrupt. I understand if you do have a commitment that needs your attention. But I don’t want to brush people off if they just want to chat for a minute.

Some people may see this chatty behavior as a weakness. Maybe it is. But I do not rush people off after lessons. I also gladly welcome any and all feedback to my comments. Feel free to point out the potential pitfalls that I may be missing here.

Dixie C., Washington

I don’t see allowing students to stay and visit following a lesson as a weakness as long as there’s no resentment on the part of the teacher. I also don’t see “unnecessary” abruptness as being hurtful. Both have to do with whatever boundaries you are comfortable with. Every teacher is different, and what’s comfortable for me may not be for another. It’s not for me to judge the rightness or wrongness of someone else’s boundaries.

Jan G.

I am a very chatty person, Please don’t all jump up and down who know me when I say that!! But I also realize when the next person is waiting it can’t happen for more than a couple of minutes. On the other hand if someone can’t make the next lesson or they are the last student I enjoy having the chat with them and getting to know them.

An odd example last week – a young female student raced thru the door, lands on the piano and starts playing a hundred miles an hour while the father is still trying to park the car. We always have to slow her down!! She then went quiet, father ran to the car even though I offered water, to get her water bottle. Within seconds he was back she then said she felt sick, so I walked her as quick as I could to the toilet but we didn’t make it. Halfway down the passage (tiles!!!!) it all came up over her shoes, floor and into bathroom. When the motions stopped she asked “can I finish that song”. Very politely I said “don’t move!!. Father asked me for the mop and bucket. He cleaned everything up while I tried to hold her down in one spot. She was ready to play again. Apparently she vomited all night. I was given a bottle of wine the next week and a referral which I am hoping is good and not intending to be “you can be sick here anytime!!” Judgment call for these events.

Madoka N., Florida

I first got to know Simply Music method through my son’s piano teacher (Mrs. Kallesen) and I feel so blessed to actually teach piano by this unique method, which is totally different from how I learned and taught piano before.

As I started teaching both private and shared lessons, I had a concern if I can end the classes on time. So I kind of copied my son’s violin teacher’s way of ending the lessons – Both teacher and students stand straight up. Teacher bows and says, “Thank you for coming today.” and students also bow and say, “Thank you for teaching me today.” — This way it’s very clear that the class has ended and even if there’s nobody coming for lessons after that, they know it’s time for them to leave. Parents (and students) ask me questions during the note taking. It really worked for me so I thought I’d like to share…

Joy V., Texas

Although I agree with the other teachers who have given ways to end the class, I also agree with you, Stef. I also have a class of five adults who come at 7:00 p.m. We always go an entire hour, sometimes a hair over, simply because we’re chatting. After about two months of teaching this group, I came to realize the real reason these people were here. Of course, their premise was that they wanted to learn piano, but literally they are using my class as an escape from the “real world.” So much so, that I put on my lesson plan for that particular class each week “Get away from troubles” just to remind me to make it light and warm and inviting.

Crystal H., Alberta Canada

When class time is over, I simply and cheerfully say, “Okay, that’s all we have time for today. Good (great) class everyone. See you next week.” Ideally, there will not be many last minute notes as that slows down the class transition. Everyone knows their class is for a set amount of time so there aren’t any complaints when the class is over….like a school class, ballet lesson, hockey practice, theatre movie, etc.

Elaine F., South Carolina

I say, with complete sincerity- “I’m sorry, but we are out of time.” If I am not feeling professionally strong that day and the “wanting to be liked ” syndrome is getting to me, I might add I have another appointment and need to go. It’s true, I have an appointment with myself to have some alone time.

This has gotten easier for me after the following happened:

I noticed that one of my favorite students who has an immaculate playlist, always prepared for the lesson etc was staying longer and longer, with my implicit permission. After she had 2 or 3 lessons that were nearly 45 minutes I told them I had noticed the pattern– not blaming, and no anger whatsoever involved here– I asked them if they wanted to have a 45 minute lesson on a regular basis. They said they’d think about it. The next week they said no– and since then I feel COMPLETELY comfortable ending the lesson and they seem that way too.

I was initially a bit shocked at their response till I recognized that I’m the same way– I like getting things for free and may happily accept things that I may not be willing to pay for.

Kerry V., Australia

It can be difficult to have them finish, especially when they ask questions as to ‘how do you do this?’ etc. Lately I have surprised myself, as well as the parent, and simply said, “No, we have finished the lesson now so we’ll have to deal with this next week”. Or, “Okay, that’s the end of the lesson …..” I have noticed this has helped my students as their questions at the beginning of the lessons these days instead of forgetting until the end of the lesson.

Ever since I started teaching 10 years ago I ask my students “What is the most important thing for you to do until I see you next?” and the answer from them is “To Go Forth Into the World and Be Wonderful!” This is a great way to finish up. I find this helpful for me, especially when you have students waiting for their lesson, that I feel the sense of ending the connection with that group to go onto the next. I don’t just say okay see you later, and this is a way for my students and families to know that this is it for this weeks lesson. ( It’s funny too as I see the waiting group starting to prepare themselves, and eager and happy to know, as they are about to start their lessons. )

Mary R., Michigan

I recap assignment and then say ” I love you, goodbye.” Seems a bit abrupt at first, but now all are used to it, laugh and leave. One boy refuses to budge until I utter those exact words!

Sue C., Australia

You could say that you have an appointment in ten minutes. They don’t have to know that your appointment could be that you have booked yourself to do something in your kitchen or garden, or your hair or exercises. You need to say it right at the end of the half hour lesson or even after 20 minutes of lesson so it doesn’t look like you have made it up as an excuse.

Terah W., Kansas

How about:

• “Well, that’s all for now. I have some paperwork that needs to be tended to before my next class so I need to get going.”
• “Don’t mean to run you off (smiling, of course) but I have some phone calls to return.”
• “That’s it for now, I have more studying to do before____ (‘I fix dinner for my family’; ‘my next lesson’; ‘I have to run errands’)

You can verbally create a picture of the next item on your agenda. If you say, “I have a 4pm appt (say it’s 3:15 when your lesson is finished) that I have some preparation to do for. (This could be dinner prep, or a shower or ‘me’ time. The point is, tho you don’t say exactly what the issue might be waiting for you, it IS waiting and you have committed yourself to ‘their time’ and ‘your time’ as well.)

It’s taken years for me to learn not to apologize for protecting my time or even reminding folks verbally about paying when you know they intend to write you a check and it slips their mind. But being the Studio manager, on some level they expect you to be ‘in charge’ so just lay things out in that same context. They will probably keep moving in the right direction with a little verbal clue/ guidance. Don’t know if this helps, but hey, it’s a place to start. Blessings to you!!