Flute Lessons
Description:
I taught flute lessons to beginner flute students while I was in high school. I had networked with parents from church, my neighborhood and referrals from other parents to teach lessons to their children. I had the students use the books they were working out of at school or if they were not in band at school, I recommended books from a local music store. I taught the students good habits I did not learn until middle school/high school such as correct hand positioning, posture, breathing, as well as head and mouth positioning. I also encouraged ways to increase their abilities to play with a purer sound such as cardiovascular exercise, to consciously walk and sit with correct posture, and so forth. I would have the students bring a planner to write down assignments for each week and created a page of various scales, key signatures, and rhythms for the students to practice.
How I got the idea / found the employment:
I got the idea from a mom who had a daughter in third grade who wanted to begin learning the flute. Her school did not offer lessons until fourth grade, so the mother bought her daughter a flute for Christmas and let her get a head start in private lessons with me.
Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:
I did not find a lot of students to teach since I only offered one type of musical instrument to teach. However, most people who can teach an instrument can teach beginning piano and music theory as well. The best way to find students is through community networking, such as neighbors, friends' neighbors, church members, parents' business partners, etc. The better quality of service you offer, the more recommendations and referrals you will receive. Also, I did not do a lot of advertising in the community as I could have through fliers, postings at music stores, and so forth. Another challenge I encounter was students who didn't practice. Instead of getting after them, I placed the responsibility on them, telling them that they would only become as good as the amount of time they invested in practicing. I would work with them at the level and time restraints that they had so they didn't feel overwhelmed or begin to see practicing as a chore. I wanted my students to enjoy learning a new instrument. Also, I would play duets with my students, encourage them to learn a song by playing by ear, or to play favorite songs from piano sheet music or piano books. This helped my students to explore their instrument and develop a personal relationship with music as well as develop confidence in their own abilities.
What I learned:
Not only did I help my students improve their abilities, but I began to live more of what I was teaching including exercising, focusing on breath control and posture as I played the flute and in other activities throughout my day. I also got to know my students individually and became a positive role model for them. I learned the value of consistent practice and the management of time. Oftentimes students would come late to lessons. Although at times this was frustrating, I began using my waiting time to perform productive activities such as completing my own homework and short study sessions of a key concept for a class test coming up. I also realized how amateur I was when I began lessons in fourth grade and appreciated the fruits of my labor and my talent and ability to not only play the flute, but to share this talent with others. I appreciated the value of steady progress and practice over a 10 year period of time. It’s helped me to have faith in long-term/unforeseeable goals such as education, developing talents, continued learning after formal education, and even confidence in my abilities to formulate and attack an even larger business plan in the future.
Music Lessons
Description:
In high school, my boyfriend Darren taught lessons to beginners learning to play the double bass. He charged fifteen dollars per half an hour, and had 5 students. He went to the students' homes to give the lessons, and he was the only employee. His main responsibility was teaching the students scales, songs, and technique on the bass, and also managing his money and making sure that the parents of the students were satisfied with their experience with him.
How I got the idea / found the employment:
Darren�s bass teacher suggested that he start teaching lessons because he knew that he would learn a lot from it. Also, the parents of other, younger bass students asked him to teach lessons. Darren thought it was a good idea and also thought it was the best way that he could make money doing something that he loved to make a little money.
Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:
Darren said that he did not have many challenges with teaching bass lessons. However, he said that it was frustrating to teach students that did not practice, and sometimes it was difficult to schedule times to meet with the students in weeks they could not have their lesson at their normal time. This was in part because Darren had another job and had school, so he was very busy. To deal with these problems, he made sacrifices with his schedule, and tried harder to motivate the students to practice, and when necessary, got the parents involved in motivating or even forcing the students to practice for the lesson.
What I learned:
Darren learned what it is like to be a teacher, and he also improved upon the technical aspects of playing the bass, because teaching reminded him of the basics. Teaching bass lessons was also useful to his preparation for college and the future because he is majoring in Bass Performance and hopes to be in the field, playing professionally and teaching lessons, for the rest of his life.
Piano Teacher
Description:
This is a business set up by my sister. Responsibilities include teaching piano on a variety of levels to individuals with all types of skill levels, from beginner to advanced. No other employees, except family help to advertise, but focused on teaching one on one lessons of half hour duration to those interested in learning piano.
How I got the idea / found the employment:
Practiced piano since a young child, teaching herself how to play and then taking lessons on a regular basis. It was always somewhat of a lifetime goal for her to specialize in piano performance or teach.
Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:
The biggest challenges were a new piano to teach on, and getting the word out about the new business. The piano came with lots of saving and hard work, and for advertising she enlisted my help to come up with a logo, business flyer, etc, different things she could use to spread the word.
What I learned:
She learned the management skills of toggling between those she taught, working with people on an individual level according to their needs, and making long-term investments on capital to help improve the quality of the business.
Piano Teacher
Description:
I would have my students provide their own books, a technique, a theory and a performance book. I preferred to have my students come to my house but for those whose parents could not bring them I would go to their house. The lesson length was based on the age and ability of the student. On average the lesson lasted about half an hour (most of the students were about eight years old.) I held a recital once a year and to cut the cost of renting a place I got permission to hold it at my Church’s building in the Relief Society room.
How I got the idea / found the employment:
I got the idea to start my own piano teacher business from my mom’s friend. Her daughter wanted to learn to play the piano but she did not want to pay the high prices of a professional teacher. At the time I was still a piano student myself I had the skills to teach beginning students. I was able to offer the lessons at a discount rate because I did not have the experience of professional teachers. I started teaching the friend’s daughter lessons and by word of mouth I gained a few more students. If I wanted more students I could have asked the local elementary schools if they would let me post fliers.
Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:
The first challenge that I faced was that one of the parents could not bring their daughter to my house. Since I was able to drive at the time and had access to my mom’s car I drove to that student’s house. The student’s mom was impressed and offered to pay me more for the lessons!
The second challenge was that the students would sometimes forget what they were assigned to practice or what pages in their theory book they were to read and what the mini-assignments that they were to do. To solve that I had each of the student s keep a notebook where I would write down what they were to practice, how often and their assigned pages in their technique book. I also made sure that their parents were aware of the notebook and what their child was to be working on so that they could help remind their child to practice.
Another challenge was keeping track of where each student was in their progress. I decided to keep at note where I would record what I did with each student during their lesson so that I could keep track of how quickly they were progressing.
The final challenge was keeping up on my school work. I had to make a schedule so I could find time to do my homework and still teach the lessons. It was hard at first to manage my time but I kept at it and pretty soon things were running smoothly.
What I learned:
From this experience I learned how to manage my time which has been very useful while attending college and working part-time. I also learned some very good people skills that have helped obtain other jobs and to have confidence when present myself to others.
Piano teaching
Description:
During the school year, I taught piano lessons to beginners. I had 8 students and gave each student one 30 minute lesson per week. Twice a year, I prepared my students to perform in a piano recital with my mom’s students. I collaborated with my mom a lot, but I was on my own with the decisions that I made.
How I got the idea / found the employment:
My mom started teaching piano lessons first, and after a while I realized I was good enough to instruct a few beginners on my own. To pick up students, I posted a flyer with tabs that had my contact information to pull off on the PTA board at our elementary school. From there, I decided how much time I wanted to give to this. I decided on teaching my lessons on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the afternoons, in 2 hour blocks. Since my house is close to the elementary and junior high schools, the early afternoon worked best (most of my students walked over).
Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:
Oddly enough the biggest challenge I faced was with a few parents. Some were not reliable in getting their kids to their lessons on time. It was so easy to want to still give the student a full 30 minute lesson, but that would carry into the next student’s lesson, and from there everything is off. I had to simply stop the lesson after their time was up, even if that meant a 15 or even 10 minute lesson. This did not make the parents very happy, and a common argument was how they paid for 30 minutes one a week, and it was scary telling someone that they had to get there on time and that I had to be fair to the other students. Another challenge I faced was with one particular parent who was not paying me. She would either “forget” or her check would bounce. It was very frustrating.
What I learned:
I learned the beginnings of networking and how useful it is. There is actually a “piano teacher community” out there, and they pass on and refer students to each other. I received a few referrals who became my students, and when I decided to stop teaching, I “gave” my students to my mom and to my former piano teacher.
Piano Teaching
Piano Teaching
Description:
After taking piano lessons for 11 years, I decided to teach students of my own beginning piano lessons. I started in my junior year of high school, and still continue to teach lessons. When I first began teaching, ages of my students ranged from 5 to 55, including a few older women in my neighborhood. For each individual student, I decided on a set of books, depending on what they had already had, and what matched their skill level. I made weekly schedules of when they would come to my house for their half hour lessons. I charge $10 per lesson, which ends up doubling that amount per hour. It’s not bad pay, and it is something I really enjoy. I love teaching kids how to read notes, play songs, and really enjoy music. It is especially rewarding helping the adults bring music into their lives because they choose to do it for that reason, when sometimes kids are being forced by their parents to take lessons
How I got the idea / found the employment:
It actually started with a few neighbors coming up to me and asking me to teach their kids how to play the piano. They had heard me play the piano/organ in church, so they knew of my abilities that way. I decided it wasn’t a bad idea, and started out teaching two boys across the street. From there, word of mouth spread about my business, and I ended up gaining nine more within the next year. I continue to teach 13 students weekly.
Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:
There have been several challenges with business. First of all, lots of my students are forced to take lessons by their parents, so they don’t have the motivation or desire to practice or come to lessons. Without progressing week to week, I have found it difficult for me to feel excited about the job. I try to make incentives for them, but that is something I’m still trying to work on. I need to be more consistent with that. Also, it is hard because some parents forget to pay, and I’ve had to learn how to ask for the money at the beginning of each month rather than waiting months for the pay check. Another problem is when I set aside the time to teach a lesson and they don’t show up. This can be frustrating, especially when I don’t get paid for these missed lessons. I have tried to create a policy where they pay a certain amount monthly, and if they miss, then it is their loss. It doesn’t always work because I’m still learning to be assertive with this, but overall, it is a great job! It’s fun, easy, allows me to earn a little money while I’m going to school, and I think the kids benefit greatly from learning the piano as well.
What I learned:
I have learned a lot of patience with young children, and how to keep their attention for a half hour. It can be hard for them to concentrate this long, so occasionally I’ve had to do jumping jacks with them half way through, or give them a snack to keep them focused. Also, I’ve learned to be more assertive with getting them to practice, having their parents pay me at the beginning of the month, and having them on-time for lessons.
Telescope & astronomy consultant
Description:
Teach others how to use telescopes. I would teach them how to properly align and care for the instrument and how to properly control or use the telescope. I would also teach them how to find objects to look at. I would also help people decide what kind of equipment they would need to purchase to be a backyard astronomer. I would also organize and host star parties where most of the instruction was given. Attendees would pay a small fee per person to come and learn and use my equipment and of course to pay for the hot chocolate and cookies provided.
How I got the idea / found the employment:
When I was a teenager my family purchased a telescope. When word got out we had one many neighbors expressed interest and often called us with questions. My father was very busy and was often not available to help them so I would, being the only other person in the family who understood them. The first job opportunity came when a doctor my uncle works with told him he’d purchased a telescope 2nd hand and didn’t know how to use it because it did not come with any instruction manuals. My uncle contacted me and asked me if I could teach his associate how to use his telescope and that he would be willing to pay me for my time. You simply cannot teach everything a person needs to know about being a backyard astronomer in one evening. So the instructional star parties where born. Many people are interested in astronomy and I found that many people owned telescopes but did not know how to operate or care for them because the instruction manuals were often too technical and confusing for the average person. Hands on instruction was found to be the most helpful to participants who were quit willing to pay me for my time and effort. Many beginner backyard astronomers lack knowledge about how to find objects and knowledge of what is available to look at. I also taught people how to read star charts and catalogues that would give them the information they desired.
Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:
The hardest part was finding a time to hold the classes. There where many factors involved. The main one being weather. Also astronomy must be done at night but to teach someone how to align, care for, and operate a telescope is easier in the day when people can see the instrument. I ended up starting at about an hour before sunset with instrument instruction and then after sunset if the weather was good we could apply that knowledge and learn how to locate objects. Another challenge was working all interested parties schedules and keeping with “bedtimes” and things. To overcome these challenges I had to effectively communicate with participants and learn how to organize effectively.
What I learned:
I learned how to effectively explain difficult concepts to people who came from a wide range of backgrounds. I learned great organization and leadership skills.
Trumpet Instructor
Description:
I taught 45-minute lessons to middle school band students who were learning to play the Trumpet. In these lessons, we reviewed things they had learned in band class, practiced scales, worked on amature (how you form your lips), and other basic skills. I traveled to their house to make it easier for the parents.
How I got the idea / found the employment:
I played the Trumpet myself, and had taken private lessons for over ten years. I realize that I was capable of teaching the basics to other people and could do so at a cheaper rate than the professionals, who charged 40 dollars or more an hour. My lessons were 45 minutes and only cost 20 dollars, plus I came to you, meaning one less trip for hectic parents.
Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:
Probably the biggest challenge in a job like this is to find clients. I used my band directors as references and asked them to refer potential band students (they also taught the middle schoolers) to me. I also asked friends if their young siblings would like lessons. Once I nailed down a few students, word got out and clients began to tell their friends.
What I learned:
There were a few things I learned, first of all, while band was easy and I enjoyed playing, teachings lessons was harder than I expected. I also learned the importance of being known in a community, and having a good reputation, as this dramatically increased my business. Finally, I came to appreciate the power of saving because I was earning lots of money for the first time in my life, and I still had relatively few expenses. Suddenly, many of those more expensive toys were in my price range. I had to learn self- control to keep myself from spending too much!!!