This probably sounds like a mad question from someone in my position, but how do you look for a teacher when you don't know anyone? I got my first teachers at school, then they passed me on to other people who recommended others, then at uni I was allocated teachers, I've never had to look for one out of the blue before. I tried the ISM website, but it seems there's not a lot of ISM members about up here! There were 2 piano teachers listed in my city and one recorder teacher listed within 100 miles, and I am just not looking to travel 54 miles for lessons, even if they would be occasional! I suppose they are nearer and cheaper than the residential master classes, but still...

I see little cards up in the library and things, but I'd have to call each one and I don't even know what to ask them to decide whether or not their teaching will suit me. I'm new to the area and don't know anyone at all in music to take a recommendation from, so where do you start?

Thanks.

For recorder, you could do a lot worse than contact your local SRP group, there is a good chance there'll be a member or two there that will be a suitable teacher.

Otherwise, have a look at your local music service, and local schools : there'll probably be some top teachers amongst the contacts you find there.

Good luck in finding a new teacher!

Hello,

I found my teacher music teacher in UK webside.
Is that we talking about same web?

It is very precise and shows teacher by instrument, by area. and shows lesson fee as well.
I hope it is helpul.

I found my current teacher from this web - she is fantastic!

If you have a list of names, either from local shops/magazines or from www.musicteachers.co.uk, you could try putting each one into Google to see what comes up. I did this when I was looking for a new clarinet teacher, and I came across an article from a local magazine which had been put online. The article talked about how she'd organised a concert for students, and that was a big plus point because my previous teacher had never encouraged me to take part in concerts and didn't support me organising them. When I rang her, she invited me to go round for a no-obligation no-charge chat and she turned out to be lovely

If I had to look for a teacher again, I would probably start the conversation by asking if they had a web site I could look at it. That would break the ice and at least give you an idea as to whether you liked the first sound of them or not.

If they didn't have a web site, I would probably ask if they could tell me about themselves and maybe what a typical lesson would be like - anything to get them talking. If they asked "well what do you want to know", that would put me off. A "Question & Answer" conversation isn't really a conversation at all, and I don't think I would warm to a teacher who used this approach, although of course you may be different.

I would also expect the teacher to ask me about myself - why I'd taken up the instrument, what I wanted to do with it in the future, that sort of thing.

I can't quite remember now how long the telephone conversation was before my clarinet teacher invited me for an introductory meeting, but it was another "plus" point that she did suggest this.

I think by the time you've made a few phone calls, you get a feel for who is going to be suitable for you. The most recent teacher I've looked for was my Alexander Technique teacher. I'd telephoned three already, and wasn't particularly struck by any of them, but the fourth teacher I 'phoned sounded lovely, and so she turned out to be when I started having lessons with her

Good luck with your search - I know it can be a bit daunting because it's so important to get it right, and I hope you find the right person soon

The musicteacher.co.uk website is good.
Also ring your local County Council and see if they have a County Music Advisor on the staff - ours has- and he/she will keep a list or have some suggestions. Also ring your local Music Centre, some of their teachers may do out of hours private tuition.

I'm dreading it when I move, I don't want to have to go through the hassle of finding another teacher. I think I will probably end up travelling a fair bit and sticking with the same teacher for my lessons, as it's taken me years and a few attempts to find one I get on with

I would try the local music schools and musicteacher.co.uk I know many of the boroughs in London have one so try there as many of the teachers usually do private teaching.

Good luck

[quote name='skylark' date='Oct 15 2009, 09:43 AM' post='884446']
If you have a list of names, either from local shops/magazines or from www.musicteachers.co.uk, you could try putting each one into Google to see what comes up.

Precisely what I did. The local music shop had 1 oboe teacher on their list (who happened to work in the shop) but I found 6 nearby on www.musicteachers.co.uk. A quick Google then brought up information on some of them which helped narrow down the choice.