Finding the right music instructor for your child is the number one most important factor in determining whether or not they successfully learn to play an instrument. But with so many music schools and instructors to choose from, it can be hard to find the one that is the best fit for you and your kid. Unfortunately, more often than not, parents go the convenient route and choose the first result that pops up on Google. However, just because you type in “best music school near me” doesn’t mean the music schools that come up are actually the best of the best. Instead of choosing a music school or instructor at random, parents should do a little research first. After all, music lessons are an investment so you want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck, and, most importantly, that your child is getting a valuable, worthwhile learning experience. When deciding on the best music instructors in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley or elsewhere, here’s what to look for. Use these factors as a guide and we guarantee you’ll find that special music instructor you and your child are looking for in no time!
Good Reviews
While Google is good for some things, using it to choose your kid’s music lessons is not advised. It’s a bit like throwing a dart in the dark…you never know what you’ll get! In our experience, nothing beats personal recommendations! Ask your friends, neighbors, or your online social media community for their recommendations on the best music instructors Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley have to offer. If you want to take it one step further, see what strangers are saying about them online. Check Yelp reviews, Better Business Bureau ratings, and lastly, see if they have any testimonials on their own website. If all of those resources have generally positive reviews, it’s a safe bet that the music instructor in question is the real deal and worthy of your child’s time and effort.
Free Lesson Offer
You’d never buy shoes for your kid without having him or her try them on first, right? Well the same logic should be practiced when choosing a music instructor. The best way to see if a music instructor is the right fit for your child is to arrange for them to meet in person and have your child take an introductory music lesson with them. Most music schools will offer potential students the chance to experience one free lesson before signing up. This is a great way to see how the music instructor and your child interact with one another. If your child feels at ease with the instructor, excited by what they’re saying, and leaves with a smile on their face, then chances are it’s a good match!
Style of Teaching
If you’re able to secure a trial music lesson, you’ll want to pay close attention to the music instructor’s style of teaching. Every music instructor is different and has their own way of teaching, just like every child is different and may learn in different ways than their peers. As a parent, you likely know what style of teaching your child responds to best. Look for music teachers that practice that style of teaching. But, generally speaking, music lessons are the most beneficial to students when the instructor is patient, caring, and keeps the lessons fun and engaging.
Level of Passion
It’s one thing to teach music, it’s another thing to know music from the inside out and live it day-to-day. In other words, there’s music instructors, then there’s professional musicians who also teach. While each has their own advantages, it’s generally better to learn from those who are actively involved in the industry, who stay up-to-date on new music and artists and who can help your child take their interest in music and turn it into more than just a half-hearted, passive hobby if they wish.
Education and Experience
In additional to the factors listed above, parents should also consider a music instructor’s education and experience. While it’s not necessary to have a formal education in music in order to be a great instructor, some sort of education or training is beneficial. While many musicians are self-taught, those that have a deeper understanding of music, whether through academic coursework or through their own past music lessons, make for the most effective teachers. In the end, credentials aren’t the most important thing when choosing a music instructor, but knowledge and experience certainly are.
While the search to find the perfect music teacher for your child might be long and frustrating, trust us when we say that it will be more than worth it in the long run! If you want the best music instructors Scottsdale has to offer, be sure to check us out! The team here at Scottsdale Music Academy is made up of only the very best music instructors. Give us a try; we promise you won’t regret it!