Deborah, Can You Teach Piano Too?, Teaching second-study instrument Options

[Deborah]

Clarinet pupil turned up for a lesson this morning (completely unexpected - I thought he was on holiday :unsure:), and he said that he also wants to learn piano and could I teach him? He and his mother have been suitably impressed by my accompanying some of the pieces he's been working on, and whilst I'm sure I could teach him basic piano as well, piano is and always has been my second instrument. Does anyone have any further thoughts on this, particularly those who teach two or more instruments?

I left it as "I'll think about it", so I've not committed to it, and they really are on holiday for a couple of weeks now, so I have time to consider it.

I've read some of the horror stories that piano teachers around here have dealt with in the past (e.g. "why do we need a piano at home?"), so don't have my eyes completely closed to some of the horrors this might open up.

Suggestions for tutor books suitable for teenage boys would be particularly welcome. Based on his clarinet experience, he's not so keen on straight classical stuff, but acknowledges it has to happen.

But apart from my not expecting to teach this morning, the lesson went really well! Scales and aural were spot on, and passages in a couple of pieces which Pupil has stumbled over in the last few weeks just fell into place. Now I'm reminded why I do it :)

[maggiemay]

Good you had a positive lesson Deborah - your pupil is obviously keen!

I'm not sure I would worry too much about the second instrument thing - the nore important question is whether you feel comfortable teaching piano and to what level. If the answer is no to the first question, don't read on! Piano was my second instrument when I was at college, yet I've ended up teaching it much more than my first. It could be the start of a whole new strand of teaching for you.

If I were in your position I would rather give it a trial run with someone like this whom I already knew. In a way it's easier because he has approached you; it's not as if you're wondering about doing it and having to sell yourself to prospective pupils. I'd be totally honest that it's not something you've done before, and I would give it a go on the basis that if it didn't work out I would try to recommend someone else.

You could look at the Microjazz books levels 1 and 2.

[Katie]

The piano is my second instrument and I teach up to a certain level mainly because I had been approached by parents. I do make it clear though that I will move them on when I think it is appropriate.
It has given me an incentive to pracitise my piano playing again after many years and I do feel it has helped me! It is handy for accompanying my pupils and for giving them the aurals for the exams.

Why not try it on a trial basis for both of you?
I have quite a few piano pupils now and I do enjoy the variety that it gives me. They can't play out of tune!!

Katie

[elidatrading]

Piano is my fifth instrument but I taught it more than any other.

Liz

[barcarolle]

Hello. Just noticed your DipABRSM page turning note with a smile! Why not give it a go on a trial basis - if it doesn't work then you have at least tried it. Of course word of mouth may lead you to get more piano students... don't know if you'll think that's good or bad. The Alfred / Bastien books for adults are not bad and might work quite well for him - and since they are chord based he'd learn some basic harmony and be able to have fun messing about on the keyboard / harmonising tunes he already knows. If he already knows his way about the piano the Alfred book Martha Mier, Jazz Rags and Blues book 1 is the best fun I've come across recently!

[flutey toot]

Piano became my "second" instrument when the flute overtook it, but I too have more piano pupils than flute these days. I have one pupil who is working towards Grade 6 and I still feel comfortable teaching - if it ever got to the point where I felt I wasnt helping her develop futher then I would suggest she found a more advanced teacher. My pupils parents all know the flute is my first instrument but as I gave them a little demo to let them know I actually COULD play then they were fine!!
I was also going to suggest the Microjazz book - I only have one male pupil and he too isnt keen on classical and so have started him on Jazz grades (although Im not TOO familiar with this so need to teach myself!!!)

[SteveHopwood]

I am with the others on this one. Go ahead.

One of the great things about teaching the piano is that it is quite difficult to do any actual harm. Make sure the boy's posture is good and his hands, wrists and arms are relaxed and the rest follows quite naturally.

Repertoire: there is a 'Microjazz for beginners' - I don't think it is called that but you get the idea. If you think he can jump straight in at just pre-easy-grade 1, then Pam Wedgwood's 'Easy Jazzin About' does the trick - I have used this many times with 'second study pianists' in similar situations, with great success.

Steve :D

[musicmanNZ]

Absolutely
My son fell in love with the piano accordion and ( amazingly) his piano teacher could also play although not a PA teacher. She started him off, inspired and got him interested and keen and then, after about a year, passed him on to a qualified PA teacher and he has never looked back. Know your own limitations but you might be responsible for starting him with a love of another instrument that he wouldn't achieve with another person starting him off.
Mum of Musicman NZ

[oboist]

30+ years ago when I started out teaching I only gave oboe lessons - at that time I had a thriving practice of, on average, more than 25 oboe pupils and all looked well.

In case you haven't noticed, or don't live in the UK, oboe has, for many years, been a very "uncool" instrument :( and is now regarded as an endangered species! My teaching practise was getting smaller and smaller, no matter what incentives I offered. So, I had a choice - teach piano as well (I got to grade 7 standard myself) or struggle to meet the bills.

I now have 45 students in my practice and a large waiting list, mostly of pianists. About 25% of my students are oboists and all but three are adult oboists. I have a real struggle in this area to attract new, young oboists to learn. Various organisations are offering grants for endangered species instruments but it seems you cannot get them if you are a private teacher - they're all going to the music services, which irritates me greatly but that's another forum subject!

So, I'd say go for it. See how you get on with someone you know and learn with/from him too and, if you like it, there's a new angle you can offer in the future.

Best of luck. :)

[Symphony]

Flute is my first instrument, percussion second, although Ive played piano the longest, and I teach flute and piano ....

I would say go for it, if you can do the responsibility of teaching the piano, ie teach it well, then why not :D

[sarah-flute]

Piano was my second instrument when I was at college, yet I've ended up teaching it much more than my first. It could be the start of a whole new strand of teaching for you.

Being very nosey - what was your first, maggiemay?

Oboist - if I lived anywhere near you and had the money and time... :rolleyes: *wry grin* though I'd only add to your adult learner roster!

[maggiemay]

Piano was my second instrument when I was at college, yet I've ended up teaching it much more than my first. It could be the start of a whole new strand of teaching for you.

Being very nosey - what was your first, maggiemay?

Oboist - if I lived anywhere near you and had the money and time... :rolleyes: *wry grin* though I'd only add to your adult learner roster!

organ Sarah - it kind of took over from the age of 12!

[sarah-flute]

oh duh! of course - I was wracking my brains to try and remember what other instrument you have mentioned you played and totally forgot about organ! :rolleyes: sorry, I AM stupid sometimes! :huh: :)

[maggiemay]

oh duh! of course - I was wracking my brains to try and remember what other instrument you have mentioned you played and totally forgot about organ!  :rolleyes: sorry, I AM stupid sometimes! :huh:  :)

?? why stupid? I don't know why you would have known - I may have mentioned it once or twice but it could well have been on threads you've not read.
:)

[sarah-flute]

I was sure as soon as you said it that I have read elsewhere that you play the organ - unless I am going mad... :huh: - but when you said you had a different first instrument I was thinking "what on earth else does maggie play???!" - so it wasn't so much that I didn't know it was your first, just that I had entirely forgotten you played it at all! it's the sort of thing I usually remember I guess... and when I read your post my instant first reaction was "d'oh, of course... :rolleyes:" *grin*