Why Private Lessons?

So, your child participates in classroom music at school.  Maybe he or she is in the school band.  That’s wonderful!  But will it be enough for your child to reap the full benefit of what a music education can offer? (See blog article “The Value of Music Education”)

As wonderful as school music programs are, they cannot replace extra-curricular lessons.  Group music programs can be a great introduction to music lessons for very young children.  However, when your child is old enough to get a little more serious about learning to play an instrument, private lessons will provide greater benefit.  A study of 900 musicians found that the most successful musicians receive individual tuition. [1]  Perhaps most importantly, teachers can more-easily develop close relationships with their students in a one-to-one setting that allows them to tailor lessons to the child's interests and needs.  Children thrive on what may too often be rare, undivided attention and having close relationships with teachers inspires children to want to learn.  

Every student is unique.  They bring their unique backgrounds, knowledge, abilities and interests to the learning environment.  Even if several students are playing at a similar level, they will have different learning needs.  One might need help with rhythm, one with note identification and one with the physical technique required to produce a desired sound.  If a teacher in a group program address one child’s specific needs, the rest will be just waiting, and will likely tune out.  In a private studio, the curriculum, tasks and teaching approaches can be tailored to each child’s current ability and interest, increasing interest and success. And success is what we’re after as it provides the motivation to continue. 

The private studio is an intimate setting -- much more conducive than group classes for getting to know students well.  Donald Hodges, Covington Distinguished Professor of Music Education and Director of the Music Research Institute at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, tells teachers “The most efficient way to teach someone is to start with his or her natural gifts and proclivities. The more familiar you are with your students, the better you will be able to accomplish this.”[2]  

Another benefit of private studios is that students can ask questions as soon as they occur and have them answered immediately.  Award winning teacher, and professional brain trainer, Brian Thwaits, says, “Probably the easiest and fastest way to learn is to be placed in a situation that involves two-way communication, where we can ask for clarification as soon as something doesn't make sense to us.”[3]  The private studio offers an improvisatory environment that can attend and adapt to students’ needs as they arise.

Understanding how each child learns and using that knowledge to tailor lessons to children’s interest and competencies increases students' enjoyment and success.  The personal one-to-one individualized attention, and a shared goal between student and teacher creates a special relationship that goes beyond learning music, enhancing a sense of well-being that helps both student and teacher be better versions of themselves.

References

[1] (DeCarbo, 1990 in Zhukov 2009, p. 4).  Zhukov, K. (2009). Effective practising: A research perspective. Australian Journal of Music Education, (1), 3-12.  Retrieved from: https://goo.gl/gsEfd2

 [2] Hodges, Donald. Hodges, D. (2010). Can neuroscience help us do a better job of teaching music? General Music Today, 23(2), 3-12. doi:10.1177/1048371309349569

[3] Thwaits, Brian (2011). The big learn: Smart ways to use your brain.  USA: Trafford Publishing.