I was just wondering how many teachers you tried out before deciding which one is the best for you.

My violin teacher has left the UK and I need to find a new teacher, so far I've seen 2 teachers but I don't feel too comfortable with their teaching style. There are so many adverts on the internet for violin teachers, it's a matter of luck in deciding which one to contact and in finding the right teacher. I don't know what to do...

Can anyone recommend a good violin teacher in London? Or any hints and tips on finding a good teacher?

Prices seem to be increasing each year, last year the standard rate was £25 or £30, now it looks like most teachers are asking for £30 to £35. I hope it doesn't increase again next year or else I can't really afford any lessons.

Just wondering, do many adult learners have lessons or are you're teaching yourself?

I have a very good violin teacher.

If you're South-West of London, let me know and I'll pass on the details.


Cheers


Katyjay

I found my tutor via the ISM website. She's in North London - and I go for the option of a 45 minute lesson which makes things slightly cheaper.

Good luck finding someone that suits you,

Lis

I know who katyjay is talking about - and yes, if you are in the SW corner of London, definitely, definitely do consider them!

To add to the two suggestions above, I know of a very good violin teacher in the SE corner of London, if you're interested, PM me.

I telephoned around and had a chat to see if I got on with them which was a good start.

I called one and she couldn't hold a conversation - this was important to me because I find if someone cannot chat freely then they wouldn't be able to make me comfortable in a lesson.

The second teacher I tried said she needed to see what her schedule was shaping up like and then didn't get back to me for a month and a half - by which time I had found someone else

My new teacher was really bubbly on the phone and really enthusiastic about teaching so I went and tried a lesson and we get one well she puts me at ease and is keen about music.

I think first impressions can be really useful, gut feeling, call around for prices and see what kind of reaction you will get to the person. I know it wont have a direct impact on their ability to teach but even if you had the best musician in the world if you can't get on or don't like them then you won't learn well from them!!

Thanks for the advice
That's a good idea to have a 45 min lesson to cut costs!
I live in Central London, so South West or South East might be a bit too far out. I've looked at the ISM website and some others, and I've arrange to have a trial lesson with 2 different teachers next week. I'll see how that goes...

My current piano teacher and my current flute teacher both came to my attention by word of mouth: So far I haven't seen the need to change them - they both seem to be doing fine by me. However, the flute teacher is the second in a year: The first one found young motherhood and evening teaching to be incompatible so we parted company and with regret (but good results) I looked for another one.

I think you should look at / try out as many as you need. It's a bit like buying shoes - when you find a pair that suits you, fits and is the right price, why look any further? If it happens to be the first pair you try on in the first shop you visit - great.

Try the site www.musicteachers.co.uk. Lots of teachers to choose from depending on which area you live in.
I found it quite difficult to find a teacher who would teach a post grade 8 pupil, but it was helpful to meet and try a lesson with a few teachers and see which one suits you.

I decided to learn the flute last summer, and with 60 years of piano playing behind me thought I could do it myself with a tutor book. I was just able to grasp the basics and play the middle part of the lower register, but then I reached a learning plateau and the middle register was a disaster! When I went into my local music shop for my second basic tutor book, the assistant kindly printed out for me a list of flute teachers in the area around Kenilworth where I live. The only problem was that staring at about 16 names did not help me to choose one.

Then my wife remarked that the daughter of a friend was having lessons with a lady in Kenilworth and they both thought she was very good. So with some trepidation I telephoned this teacher and asked if she taught adults. "Yes, I do have a few adults" came the reply. My next question was "Ah, but would you teach a 67 year old adult?" There was a sort of non-committal chuckle at the other end, so I quickly added that I would have no problem with the reading and interpretation of music - it was getting the notes on a flute that was the problem.

She asked me if I would like to go for a trial lesson, which I did, and at the end I asked her to be frank and tell me if I had a chance of learning to play the flute properly. Well, she was happy to take me on, and I am currently awaiting the results from my Grade 4 exam which I took a couple of weeks ago. So I was very lucky and found an excellent teacher at the first attempt.

So my answers to your questions would be that probably because I live in a small town, my local music shop was very helpful. Secondly, I would definitely recommend getting a teacher, and having a trial lesson.

to the forum! Sounds like your fluting's going really well - hope it continues in a similar vein!

This is good advice, though I would say there are music shops in larger towns and cities that are just as helpful.

I recently started singing lessons. The teacher I liked the best from the music teachers was quoting a price I could not afford. The first teacher I tried I liked but was not bursting with excitement as I normally would be. It turns out she felt she had over-stretched herself and could not take me. The second teacher was equally nice and helpful but as a beginner I was unsure of the things she was trying to get me to do in the first lesson and did not come out as excited as I expected. Teacher No. 3, the one who I could not really afford, turned out to be the best and I come out of the lesson feeling I have achieved a lot as well as thoroughly enjoying it. As I cannot afford to go every week, I go for half an hour a fortnight. Surprisingly, we manage to cover quite a lot of ground in half an hour. Good luck in your search.

So, any feedback on how the trial lessons went? I'm keen to hear how you got on.

Lis

Thank you for your nice welcome! Just got my result in - I passed with Merit! So now I am a Grade 4 flautist - I can't believe it!

very well done!

I know a teacher for you. 5 mintes walk from Waterloo station. £27 per hour.


Best use of my money ever!

That's so good! Well done


I think I might have found a good teacher. I had a lesson with her last week and it went quite well, so I'll be going back for a second lesson next week. She seems very experienced, critical but in a nice and friendly way. It has been such a nightmare trying to find a teacher! There are a lot of bad teachers out there. Last weekend, I went to see this teacher who charges £30 per hour. On the phone, he sounded really good and told me that all his students get distinctions in exams. He turned out to be a real disappointment. We spent 30 minutes trying to perfect one scale, I wanted to do something else but he wouldn't let me. Then I played a bit of my grade 5 piece and he stopped me after 5 bars and we repeated those bars over and over again because my dynamics wasn't good enough but he didn't show me how to do it properly. Argh. I came out of my lesson thinking "I'm so terrible at the violin, why do I bother learning it?" Then I came to my senses and realised I just had a mad teacher, violin is my hobby and I'm not that bad at it.

It's difficult to find a good teacher, some are too strict and some teachers are too nice. I think my old teacher was too nice and encouraging. It's been an interesting experience trying to find a new teacher and getting different opinions on my playing.

It totally depends on what you want in a teacher. I gave up with my first piano teacher cos she was too strict, second because he was too laid back and i didn't feel as though i was progressing. They were both allocated through school so pot luck. Third was recommended by frinds and she is perfect for me, critical but not too pushy and always tries to get the best out of me. With he I just got through my grade 8 with the highest mark I've ever had in a piano exam.

Violin, both teachers I've had were allocated through school, first one went insane, second I've been with ever since and get on with her fantastically. She's exactly what I need in a teacher.

Clarinet will also be allocated through school so fingers crossed.


What I'm trying to say, is that you wont necessarily get on with teachers that other people do, its personal preference.

Hope you find the perfect teacher soon
x

Anzac Biscuit jumps on the bandwagon...

I've got a trial lesson booked for tomorrow and am waiting to hear back from another teacher....

Very excited!