Where to Teach, pt. III – The Upside of Music Stores and Schools

     In 20 plus years of teaching guitar I have taught in a wide variety of situations and found each to have its own set of unique challenges, benefits and pitfalls. Some might say, “I’d never teach there” but, don’t dismiss a potential revenue stream on face value. This month I’ll continue on the “Where to Teach” series by going through the positive aspects of teaching at a music store or school. 

     A music store is a retail business which also offers instrument lessons taught from in-house studios and a “music school” is specific to teaching private/group lessons. There are several advantages in teaching from either a store or school: 

1. No Advertising - you do not need to place ads or rely on word of mouth; the physical storefront, reputation or location is what brings students in.

2. Students – over time you will most likely have as many students as you want and chances are they may ask you to teach additional days.

3. Studio – the store/school supplies a place to teach and most also equip the studios with music stands and amplifiers (some may not).

4. Central Location – all your students are at one location and come to you.

5. Supplies – most anything your students may need (tuners, method books, strings) can be purchased on the spot if you work at a music store or the school sells supplies.

6. Recital Space – some stores/schools may even have space to host recitals for teachers and their students.

7. Rules: the establishment may have its own rules regarding student absences and make-ups.

8. Discounts – many music stores often provide teachers with discounts on purchases.

9. Lesson Rate – in many cases the school/store sets the rate for lessons.

10. Getting Paid – each store/school operates differently, but if you are fortunate they will handle collecting money for lessons and give you a check on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis.

     Have I missed anything? Please feel free to comment!

Where to Teach, pt. II – College/University/Public School

The guitar is one of the most popular instruments in the world and as such there countless people of all ages who wish to learn how to play it. One of the great things about teaching the guitar is there are a number of options as to where and how one can instruct students. Last month I outlined a number of situations one could teach in and this month I’ll get a bit more in-depth starting with the field of education.

Probably the most coveted teaching position for guitarists is at a university or college. Why? Well, for a tenured professor the pay is pretty decent, it has job security, accompanying pension and health benefits (here in the US), one works with high level students teaching lessons and guitar related classes such as pedagogy, history, coaching ensembles as well as conducting weekly masterclasses. However, in reality there are few tenure track positions in guitar available and when a position is open there is a large amount of competition. A full-time tenure track position at a college or university usually requires a minimum of a master’s degree, but a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) is almost always preferred. Additionally, some job postings may ask that candidates not only teach classical guitar, but jazz as well – you’re not teaching rock ‘n’ roll as a full-time university professor.

Although, getting a tenure track position at a college is extremely difficult, adjunct positions are more frequently posted. Adjunct faculty are those who are: part-time, paid on an hourly basis, may teach private and/or group lessons and work with music majors and non-majors alike. Furthermore, it is quite possible being adjunct faculty that one may teach popular styles of music as non-majors may register for individual lessons.

An area of growing need for skilled guitar teachers is in the public schools as more and more school districts are adding guitar programs alongside orchestra, band and choir. I say “skilled” because the guitar is a specialized instrument and many music educators are not prepared to teach it. Generally, music educators are from a vocal, orchestra or band background with little (if any) experience with guitar. Public education is a good career track which offers a salaried position, pension and benefit program. Moreover, teaching in the public schools may not always require a degree in education as many school districts offer a process called lateral entry. Lateral entry is an "alternate route to teaching for qualified individuals outside of the public education system. Lateral entry allows qualified individuals to obtain a teaching position and begin teaching right away, while obtaining a professional educator's license as they teach.” 

Have I missed anything? Please feel free to comment!

Where to Teach, pt. I – Options

I remember when I began teaching guitar and trying to navigate how to make a living teaching lessons or at least supplement my income. Moreover, several times in my life I have had to start from square one as a teacher, but each time it got easier because I had developed the knowledge and skills on how to do it. It would be nice if all one had to do was post a sign offering lessons and the students would just show up; however, it is never that simple and building a thriving studio will take time, patience and perseverance.

One of the great things about teaching guitar is that there multiple places one can teach – you can pick one or several in order to develop an income stream which works for you.

· College/University/Public School - class guitar, individual lessons for music majors/minors/general student population)

· Music School - geared toward individual lessons

· Community Arts School - focusing on a specific local population

· Music Store - usually a retail establishment which offers lessons

· Home - students come to your home

· Travel - the teacher goes to an individual’s home to teach lessons

· Outreach Programs – generally afterschool programs offered to school districts

· Skype/Internet – video conferencing lessons with students far away

Over the next several posts I will discuss the pros and cons of each teaching each situation. Until next time!