Is it worth it? Options

[Misterioso]

I have been contacted (by phone) by a consultant from Pakistan who wants me to give his daughter some violin lessons during the holidays. He has been recommended by the father (also a doctor) of a girl I have been teaching for around 4 years.

I have to phone him back, but I'm just wondering: is it worth it? I know it's work, but I find it difficult enough to handle new pupils at first, because it takes a while to (a) get to know them, (b) find out how they learn best), ? work out how to help them most effectively, and (d) begin to build a relationship so that I feel comfortable with them. They are only here until the end of August, so I wouldn't have time to do any of those things. I'm assuming she has a teacher at home, but wonder what that teacher would feel if he / she knew they were going to someone else. I understand she's between Grades 1 and 2.

Any thoughts?

[Norway]

I have been contacted (by phone) by a consultant from Pakistan who wants me to give his daughter some violin lessons during the holidays. He has been recommended by the father (also a doctor) of a girl I have been teaching for around 4 years.

I have to phone him back, but I'm just wondering: is it worth it? I know it's work, but I find it difficult enough to handle new pupils at first, and it takes a while to (a) get to know them, (b) find out how they learn best) and ? work out how to help them most effectively. I understand she's between Grades 1 and 2.

Any thoughts?

Sounds harmless enough and it may turn into something more permanent, or get you other pupils by recommendation. Just as long as it isn't blocking a slot which could be used for a permanent pupil - I'd do it.

[sbhoa]

Have you asked if the regular teacher is ok with this?
A this level there is probably relatively little you can do as conflicting information which could easily result from different teaching styles would not be good.
Having said that I once gave a few weeks clarinet lessons to my daughter's nieces.
I didn't use any of the material they'd been using in lessons but similar things at the same level.
I kept any technical advice to good posture, fingerwork and tone production.

[BadStrad]

I would ask them to email me with some more info. What she's currently working on and whether they'd like you to continue with that, or just ask if there's anything specific that they'd like you to cover, what kind of music the child likes, what books she might have? you could suggest working on some repertoire, rather than syllabus music, or improvisation.

I think sometimes people find it easier to put the information into an email rather than answer off the cuff on the phone.

[miffy]

If you feel you might be treading on another teacher's toes you could ask them to send notes from the current teacher as to what s/he would like the student to concentrate on with you.
If you don't normally continue through school holidays it might be a nice little bit extra through August. Check they don't just want a 'practice buddy' or someone to nail the poor kid down to extra study in their holiday though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Norway]

Oh yes sorry - I didn't read the bit about there possibly being a regular teacher - is the regular teacher in Pakistan? If one of my pupils were off to a distant land to live for a few months, I wouldn't take offence (in fact I would be pleased) if they had lessons with another teacher to keep their skills going until they returned. I would think it weird however if they went to a teacher down the road for extra lessons in the holidays.

[icklechick]

It's a scam...a common one.

Avoid!!!

What happens is - they send you money for the lessons via bank transfer or something - but send a ridiculously large amount...and then ask you to refund them some...what really happens is you lose your money cos their initial payment is then cancelled

Something along those lines anyway...

Sorry...missed the bit about it being a recommendation - just sounds scarily like the common scam!!

not sure what I'd do in that case...but would want to discuss it via phone.

[edgmusic]

It's a scam...a common one.

Avoid!!!

What happens is - they send you money for the lessons via bank transfer or something - but send a ridiculously large amount...and then ask you to refund them some...what really happens is you lose your money cos their initial payment is then cancelled

Something along those lines anyway...

Sorry...missed the bit about it being a recommendation - just sounds scarily like the common scam!!

not sure what I'd do in that case...but would want to discuss it via phone.

I must admit the same thought occurred to me.
It might be ok if there has been a genuine recommendation, but all the rest sounds spookily similar to the scam you describe.
Proceed with caution!

[miffy]

It is almost identical to the scam and was my 1st thought, but you say you already teach his friends daughter so that's different.
All the same, maybe do it all by cash at the door.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[maggiemay]

It certainly does sound like the scam - although thinking about it, I haven't had any of those for quite a while.

Still - I would proceed with caution. I would want, if possible, to meet them before making a definite booking.

[lorraineliyanage]

Definitely sounds like a scam but you said there was a recommendation so I am not sure. Who is the parent that recommended them to you? Did they give the name of the parent? If so, it's less likely to be a scam.
Just don't hand over any bank details or accept a cheque for an overpayment of lessons. I would seal the deal with cash payment only at the door as miff says if it's a scam!

On another note, I have a new G5 student from another teacher just for a couple of extra Summer lessons. I did a trial lesson to hear where she is at with her exam work. I listened to her pieces and I would personally teach them very differently but I don't want to tread on her teacher's toes, so I suggested to the mum that we just concentrate on scales, sight-reading and aural in our extra lessons. I don't know if she has told her teacher she is coming here for extra lessons, I am guessing not...

[angelgirls29]

Maybe Daddy just wants some Supervised Practice?
Lots of parents throw money at ice skating coaches as they don't want their child on the ice on their own, so they pay a coach to "teach" their child.

Maybe it's also a "normalisation" thing?
The culture etc is different but she can still have music lessons so it feels more normal to the child and gives the child more of her normal routine?

[BadStrad]

Wow! I thought I was uber-paranoid about scams, but reading the original post it never occurred to me that anything was amiss.

[linda.ff]

OP: have you confirmed with the pupil referred to that this really is a friend? It's SO like a common scam that this "referral" sounds dodgy

[PianoNotes]

Dodgy came immediately to my mind. Even if it is a recommendation, it does not mean the person recommending knows everything about who s/he is recommending however long they may have known each other, especially if the recommended person is living abroad. Hope this makes sense.