amateur musician

Before writing this guide I carried out some research on the internet. I wanted to find out what kind of online advice there was already available for an adult taking up or returning to a musical instrument, to help choose the right music teacher.

Almost all the web-sites I visited were in agreement. When you find the right teacher you find a new friend who shares in all the magic of your passion every step of the way. I must admit, I was entertained by some of the various suggestions I came across of how to make this happen. 'Sit in on another pupils lesson to gauge how the teacher performs, mark them out of 10 for motivational skills' one such site recommends. 'Ask to see a written monthly 'goals' sheet and weekly lesson plans etc.' While I understand this advice is well intentioned I feel it overlooks some straight forward practicalities.

With these points in mind the following guide is designed to offer honest advice to a beginner about the reality of finding a good music teacher.

Firstly, there is a major logistical consideration. You are likely to want to have a lesson for your chosen instrument at least once a week. Ideally you'll want to find somebody local to make the commute as easy as possible. Lugging your E flat bass across town on the number 39 every week is going to wear pretty thin in time. It's true some teachers will come to you but of course this will cost extra and makes your search that much harder.

The internet, local directories and local music stores are all excellent sources for finding local teachers (try searching our database Find a teacher). Local high schools also work well for this purpose. Private teachers of a broad range of string woodwind and brass instruments are usualy involved in extra-curriculum activities during term time. If they can't help you themselves they will almost certainly know someone who can. Piano teachers are much easier to find as many music teachers will be proficient in teaching more than one kind of instrument of which one will usually be the piano. Any personal recommendations from friends, family or colleages are worth their weight in gold. Word always gets around about a good teacher and they are always in demand.

Once you've identified a couple of teachers, telephone them to see if they have any vacances. If they can take you on, arrange an initial lesson to meet the teacher. This initial meeting should be a relaxed affair but social etiquette will figure. This will not be an opportunity to grill your prospective teacher or demand documentary evidence of qualifications or conduct biometric personality tests as some web-sites suggest you do. Instead, discuss what you would like to get out of your lessons. Do you want to simply learn fun pieces or strive for external examinations? Do you want to learn music theory at the same time or just practical musicianship?

Be honest about how much practice time you can spare yourself and ask what the teacher thinks you can realistically achieve in your playing. This conversation will define your needs and how the teacher best thinks they can be met. Bare in mind, good teachers get to choose who they teach so in addition to getting the answers you need it's important you sell yourself as a keen learner with patience and, critically, an even temper.

While of course it is preferrable that you identify any personality clashes or conflicts at the start, the reality is that you are unlikely to be able to do so as these things usually only come to the surface over time. Try to avoid paying up front for block lessons. Most teachers run their bookings on a week to week basis so if things go sour later it should be easy to cancel future lessons.

In most cases, with a common sense approach from both parties, your music teacher will prove to be a guru driving your musical development forward.