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Looking for the right music teacher can be a daunting task. There are so many things to consider and if it's your first time looking into music lessons you might not know exactly what to look for. Just type Drum Lessons Montreal into a Google search and you'll quickly see how many drum lessons pop up. You want to make sure to find the best instructor for you or your child.
Here are some things to consider when looking for the right music teacher:
A teacher is someone who should be an expert in their field. But what field is it? Is it jazz saxophone or classical saxophone? Is it orchestral percussion or rock drums? Do they teach complete beginners or are they known as a mentor for seasoned professionals? Make sure that the teacher you are considering is going to give you or your child the type of lessons you are looking for. Ask them if they teach the age group you need, it's for your 8 year old child, or for your spouse.
Make sure the teacher has the necessary experience. A teacher without the adequate training and wisdom to back up what they're saying is not someone you'll want to learn from in the long-term. Ask them to send you a link to their website, Facebook page, YouTube channel, Spotify page, whatever. Just make sure to look them up to see what they do. Some teachers have almost no experience other than the fact that they took lessons on that particular instrument. But they might have zero performance experience, which is always a red flag. Teachers with no experience tend to teach too rigidly and often put too much focus on the wrong topics that aren't necessarily the most important. You want a teacher with some experience at least in performing professionally in their field.
Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations from the prospective teacher
Be opened-minded, and if you're not sure after one or two classes, consider waiting a few more to see if it will work. It can take some time before the teacher finds the student's style of learning, and vice versa. Don't quit and look elsewhere before you are sure it's not happening. You might be missing out on a great teacher! Some of my students who today I would consider my best pupils had rocky starts where we had to go through a number of awkward classes until we found our footing to move forward.
I saved this one for last because although it is important to find someone who fits your budget, don't make this your only consideration. If you're really serious about proper education then consider paying the extra dollars for a quality instructor. If you really can't afford to pay extra then consider taking lessons every second week. Quality over quantity.
When looking into the classes also make sure to ask when the classes need to be paid (in advance, weekly, monthly, per sessions etc....), and ask about their cancellation/refund policy.
Be diligent and thorough in your search for the right teacher. Make phone calls, look online, ask for referrals from people you trust, and then jump in! Music is a beautiful art, and with the right help, you can achieve all of your goals!
