piano lessons w/ parent required!(long)

[Rock'n Robin]

I have been checking into piano lessons for DD#2. DD#1 took for 2 years but does not like her teacher and is now going to play saxophone in the jr. high band.
One place was highly recommended and they sent me their brochure. They use group lessons for ages 3-9 and it is called "music for young children". $102 for 6 weeks plus a $61 startup fee for books, binder, etc. The kicker was "one parent is required to stay for the 55 minute class".
Well folks, DH runs his own business and as far as transportation goes, it's mostly me. He can't build it into his schedule to be home one certain night every single week--if something big comes up he has to go. For example, last year I dropped DD#1 off at 6:30 and he picked her up at 8 about 75% of the time on his way home since the dance studio is 20 min. away. Other times he may have been running a lead on the other side of town and I'd either have to sit at the studio 1 1/2 hours with the other two kids, or drive home, stay for 40 min. and drive back.
There were 3 available times for the piano class--DD#2 has brownies one time, one is Sat. AM when the other two both have soccer (DH is home that day but I still have to drive at least one of them, they play on different fields) and the other one is DD#1's dance night. I called and asked if there was any way I would not have to be there--sorry, no. How about individual lessons then? No private lessons for children.
I was a little perturbed at this point. I did my 5 years of piano. He was acting as if I wasn't being supportive. I am, but not by making the other girl quit dancing. He told me flat out that if I couldn't be there with her, she could not attend that school.
I asked him for recommendations for other local teachers at that point. He gave me two names, with the caveat that he was sure no one was accepting new students (in other words, if your kid can't play here, guess she won't be playing piano).
Guess what? The first name he gave me is accepting new students for $10 a half hour--$5 less than I was paying for DD#1. So the piano stays in use and I am actually saving $$. I know private lessons are a shot in the dark quality wise, but it is an older woman and I think DD#2 will respond to that better than the teacher DD#1 has (an older man with time management issues).
Robin M.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

I like the idea of having a parent there mandatory. I would never leave my child alone at a practice or an event, especially 1 on 1 with an adult. Too many bad possibilities. For our daughters' dancing school, we both stay (when I am coaching, just my wife) for the entire time. It is for safety, & to let our kids know that they are important. As a teacher & a coach, I see how many parents see activities as babysitting, and do not get involved to make it rewarding for the whole family. It saddens me when I see the kid whose parents don't show up (not putting you automatically in this category).

When they are 16 or so & can drive themselves and are looking to spread their wings, I might consider it, but I have almost a decade to wait for that.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

My problem is not using them as babysitters, but the fact that usually I have two kids in different places and they have to get there. Somehow all the activities will be at the same time--and then we will also have a weekday or two with nothing.
My girls have been at the same dance studio since DD#1 started in 1995 and I trust these women with my life. The girls also know karate and if someone got funny with them they would be sorry.
I think of these activities as growth opportunities for the kids, not time to get away from them. Unfortunately I can't be in 3 places at once--and DH, bless him, can't always help out since he works so hard. I want the kids to try things and see what they like--which is why both girls dance, one plays soccer, one plays softball, all 3 do karate (and actually I started karate with the youngest so we are both white belts and we all do class together), they are all musical and in the summer one does swim team. I am never home and the house is rarely spotless. But they have a good time.
Robin M.

 

[Talking Hands]

The man does not have time management issues, he has a certain schedule he has to fill and your needs don't fit his schedule. He obviously has a very full studio, He is using a Suzuki like technique for teaching which does require a parent present for lessons. My daughter's did not have lessons without me until they were in 8th grade.
I would be very leary of someone charging only $10 for a half hour lesson. Very cheap. My 25 yo professional violist/violinist charges $20 for 1/2 hour and $35 per hour and is easily books as many hours a week as she wants. Cheap often means poor quality no matter what the age. My youngest chages $15 per 1/2 hour and she hasn't graduated college yet.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

like I said, I wasn't lumping you in with the "babysitting" group. I know it will be tough when my littleuns get older. I'll probably have to give up coaching to be there for them. I just don't want to leave them. It is why we don't do day care. We decided (before marriage & kids) to have my wife stay home during the week & work weekends, and vice versa for me. We figured we'd go without things to always be there for the kids. It is tough, but it is the path we chose.

 

[damo]

Fees for lessons usually depend upon the qualifications and experience of the teacher. My daughter,17, who is working on her piano teaching certificate and will go to university next year for piano to study to be a concert pianist, charges $30/hour. Now, on the other hand, her teacher, a concert pianist who has toured the world, charges $90/hourwhen she teaches out of her home and $180/hour when she teaches out of her Toronto studio. Now since DD has 4 hour lessons each week, piano is VERY EXPENSIVE and studying at university will be cheaper!!!

When she started out, we did the Music for Young Children and I was required to stay. . It is part of their program which is offered worldwide. It gave a very good base. I think I stayed with her during lessons until she was in about second grade.

 

[gepetto]

I don't see why you are upset. The teacher requires that a parent be present at the lessons. You don't have time. That is not his fault.

 

[dbond]

It does sound like the Suzuki method of teaching to me. They have strict rules about that. I ran into that same situation when my DS was younger. He wanted to take violin lessons and they required the parent to be at the lesson and required the parent to sit in and take notes on all practice times. My DS spends every other weekend and every Wednesday with his father, my ex. Although I could be at the lesson and most practices, I couldn't be with him to practice every day like they required. They refused to allow him into their program. I was diligent and found him another teacher that was more friendly to our needs. Don't despair, you'll find a teacher that will work for you. Ask around your school (music teachers usually know piano instructors), call local churches (Our minister's wife and organist both teach), check your local paper classifieds, does your community have a children's publication (We get a magazine in our area Dallas Child, they have classifieds). Although, the best referrals come from other Mom's. I understand your time restrictions. I have 3 kids and a very busy taxi schedule. Timing is critical. Good luck!

 

[Poohnatic]

Most instructors will want a parent to stay if the child is younger.

I had a heck of a time finding an instructor willing to teach my then 4 yo son. My mom insisted on lessons for him, since she felt she wasted the opportunity with me (my lessons started at 14, and I already had diagnosed wrist problems, but I still played, pain and all).

I finally did find an instructor who would teach private piano, and the reason why she took under 8 is because I had played and could sit at the piano with him each night. You may want to explain that with the gentleman offering the group lessons.

I know my situation is a little different than your scenario, but perhaps he's basing his requirement of parent being present on ensuring that the lesson taught and the assignment for the week is known to parents.

BTW, $10 a hour is extremely inexpensive. My son's worked out to 38 per hour (1/2 at piano 1/2 in computer lab). My lessons (20+ years ago) were $15 an hour. I guess it depends on the part of the country you are in, but you will want to know how long the teacher has been playing, what their credentials are. Since you've played before, you do have a clue as to what is expected and what isn't.

Also, DD #2 may not have the same issues with the teacher that DD #1 did.

Good luck.

Suzanne

 

[aahmom1]

I would be more concerned if he said you weren't allowed to stay. I'm just one of those parents that would rather stay, it's less than an hour.

I like the idea of having a parent there mandatory. I would never leave my child alone at a practice or an event, especially 1 on 1 with an adult. Too many bad possibilities.

That makes 2 of us.

 

[disykat]

It sounds like you have found someone who meets your needs. That's terrific. Everyone likes something a little different - I'm sure there are many that are happy with the other arrangement which is why he didn't have to bend his rules for you.

 

[nanalisa]

I don't know where Perrysburg is but if you have a university close by, you can usually find a teacher there, especially if they have pedagogy classes. I work in the music department of a University and we have a program where our piano pedagogy students (thats a class where we teach students to teach piano) teach community children. They do a great job. The students pay 82.00 for the semester which is 13 weeks, this includes their packet of materials and piano books. We don't require the parents to stay, but most do.

I think what you pay for lessons depends on the area in which you live. One of our piano professors graduated from Julliard and has a doctorate in piano performance and he only charges 25.00 per hour. Same thing with our strings, woodwind, brass, etc...

 

[peg2001]

Wow! We wouldn't consider just leaving one of our children at a lesson or event. We stay and watch: swimming, gymnastics, soccer, storytime at the library, etc. While the instructor is teaching, they are not there to babysit. If your child has any other needs during that time, it is up to the parent.

Perhaps it is more of a problem with overscheduling.

Peggy

 

[damo]

Robin, maybe you can find someone who will come to your house to teach. That may solve a lot of the scheduling issues.

 

[SoonerKate]

I've played violin for about 18 years now (I was one of those baby Suzuki kids), and I've played viola for 8 years. I'm not a music major, but I do play violin in my university's orchestra and viola in a quartet, as well as private lessons for both. I teach both instruments, charging $15/half hour and $25/hour. I don't charge more because I am a college student -- but if the opportunity for Suzuki certification comes up, you can bet I'll be there.

I realize that everyone has a different teaching philosophy, but I require parents to be there when I'm teaching younger (up through 6th grade, usually) kids. Maybe it's something from all those years of suzuki lessons, but the kids progress much more quickly and are often more disciplined when the parents are not only at the lessons, but participating in them -- taking notes, discussing at-home attitudes with me, that sort of thing.

When a parent knows each week exactly what their child should be working on, trouble spots, what it should sound like, and how long and how often their child should be practicing, usually the child is going to be held to whatever is written on their practice chart, they'll get it done, and they'll learn and improve. Parents also are essential in some age groups to keep their kids focused in group lessons.

I agree with damo -- maybe someone who will come to your house to teach would be a good solution if this piano teacher doesn't work out. Definitely check out any local colleges with music programs -- they're usually filled with undergrads and grad students who would love to teach.