struggling to get a job, need a minimum source of income for the week...teaching?

[KingCrimson]

Well after applying to plenty of places for a job and getting no luck so far, i'm thinking out of the box and reflecting on what skills i have and how i can be of service.

My parents suggested teaching bass, for an affordable rate (15$ per hour?, minimum wage here is 9.10 an hour). I am a going-to-be music student at college and have been playing bass for about 5 years now and am 17. My parents suggested teaching beginners but still i'm not sure if i'd be a qualified teacher. I do know technique and could teach people songs and basic theory but i'm not sure if that is enough.

I don't know on the one hand i need at least about 30$ a week (while still looking for a job) but on the other hand i'm no sure if i should post the ad or not.

[Michael Case]

If you know how to read, have a grasp on technique, and can figure out songs easily you can teach beginners.

[Stumbo]

Here's a couple of links to check out:

~Teaching Bass
1 Teaching ideas
2

First thing is come up with a "study" plan, just like school, from which you can work from.

You might want to take a look at the links in my sig. for more ideas and information on what to teach.

Good luck.

[KingCrimson]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Here's a couple of links to check out:

~Teaching Bass
1 Teaching ideas
2

First thing is come up with a "study" plan, just like school, from which you can work from.

You might want to take a look at the links in my sig. for more ideas and information on what to teach.

Good luck.

Thanks a lot

[Stumbo]

One other thought: be confident when teaching. Have things organized and easy to access. Nothing worse than kinda looking for stuff, stopping/starting while you get things set. Maybe you'll need an extra music stand or some other accessories like and extra cord. Does your amp have two inputs? Do you have a separate room or area for teaching so you won't be disturbed?

You might even write a script of exactly what you will say so you can read it and time it for practice purposes.

I suggest three-hole punching all your handouts and providing a notebook so your student can keep everything in one place.

I just started teaching full time and gave up my full time job recently to do it. I've been gathering students slowly, but I'm really really enjoying it and it's extremely rewarding to see students progressing really quickly after only a few lessons. Only advice I have to pass on:

1. Charge a rate that will justify in your mind the preparation time that you should ideally do for your lessons.

2. Prepare for the lessons well - with written materials even if you have to photocopy them or whatever. If a lesson goes well it feels really good. Also, you get to keep all your materials for future lessons, so you only have to do the work once, then it's just moving it around.

3. If the person is new to the instrument totally, then as far as I can tell, the most important thing is making them feel comfortable, and confident in their own innate musicality. You need to find what they can do, and honestly appraise their skills positively. When the student is relaxed they'll learn much faster and also they need to feel the rhythm in their body and this is nearly impossible when you're very tense.

4. Don't think you have to show off on your instrument to impress a student. They will judge you by what they learn and how you make them feel, not necessarily by how good they think you are. They already know you can play and they can't yet, you don't need to show them during the lesson. If you play examples clearly to demonstrate that's all which is needed.

5. Make the most of every enquiry, and remember that in the beginning you are selling yourself. Selling means ASK OPEN QUESTIONS - find out what the student wants to learn. Preparing for a first lesson with a student, it's important to get started on the right track. Yes, you are there as the teacher, so you are supposed to be an authority, but you are also selling a service, so adapt what you teach to the student - it can be the same material in actuality, but the student must perceive that you're giving them something relevant to their musical aims for them to consider it part of their musical aims.

[Jim Nazium]

Originally Posted by KingCrimson

My parents suggested teaching bass, for an affordable rate (15$ per hour?)

Based on a totally unscientific browsing of craigslist, I'd say the going rate for a pro lesson around here is $35 - $50 for half an hour. If you can put together a credible lesson, I think you can easily charge $20 or $25 for an hour.

[Stumbo]

You might think about a 45 minute lesson. 15 minutes to review the previous lesson, 30 minutes for new lesson for $25.

Depending on the age of the student and also based on a students progress, you might think about the need to recommend a minimum amount of practice time e.g., 1/2 hour a day, to their parents and maybe design a practice chart so their parents can sign off on each day's practice so you can keep track of their performance vs. practice time.